Pennsylvania State University
Graduate Programs Coordinator – Bellisario College of Communications
🇺🇸 University Park, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $38K - $61K
💻 Other
🗓️ January 6th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Graduate Programs Coordinator for the Bellisario College of Communications. The role manages administrative support for graduate programs, including faculty documentation, travel management for grant active faculty, and support for master's programs administration. The coordinator collaborates with associate deans and other college units to facilitate program operations and student services.
Highlights
- Provides administrative support for faculty searches, promotion, tenure, and sabbatical leave documentation.
- Manages travel itineraries, documentation, expense reporting, and reconciliation for grant active faculty and endowed chairs.
- Supports students, faculty, and administrators related to master's programs, including admissions, handbook updates, faculty applications, curriculum processing, website management, and alumni tracking.
- Acts as backup for the Executive Assistant to the Dean.
- Uses Microsoft Office; familiarity with LionPath, SAP Concur, PSUBuy, and 25Live preferred.
- Requires Associate Degree with 4+ years experience for Senior Support level or GED/High School diploma with 2+ years experience for Intermediate Support level; no certifications required.
- Offers a salary range of $38,300 to $61,000 with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount.
- Works collaboratively and independently in a dynamic office environment.
- Supports the Bellisario College of Communications graduate programs, working closely with leadership including the Director of Master's of Professional Studies and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
- Employment requires successful background check and authorization to work in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not provided.
Graduate Programs Coordinator – Bellisario College of Communications Full Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Bellisario College of Communications is in search of a Graduate Programs Coordinator (Academic Program Coordinator - Intermediate Support or Senior Support), to support the research and online graduate program needs of the Bellisario College of Communications.
This position will work closely with the Director of Master's of Professional Studies and Graduate Studies, and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
Responsibilities:
- Provides administrative support to the associate deans for academic affairs that include processing documentation of faculty searches, promotion and tenure of tenure and non-tenure-line faculty, and sabbatical leave paperwork
- Assists associate dean for research with managing grant active faculty and endowed chairs' annual travel itineraries, travel documentation, expense retirement and reimbursements, and with timely reconciliation processes via pertinent finance hubs
- Serves as support staff for students, faculty, and administrators associated with the masters-focused programs run by the college including the master's admissions committee, updating the master's program handbook; processing non-tenure line faculty applications to teach with the Fox Graduate School, assisting the graduate programs office with processing course, curriculum, and program proposals with the Graduate Council, managing master's programs' web sites, and tracking alumni of master's programs
- Serves as backup for the Executive Assistant to the Dean
- Provides administrative support to other units within the Bellisario College as needed
- Other duties as assigned
This applicant must be able to work independently as well as in a collaborative, team environment in a fast-paced office. Strong communication, organization and customer service skills and attention to detail are critical to success in this role. Experience with Microsoft Office is required. Familiarity with LionPath student system, SAP Concur, and other financial systems is preferred.
Education and Experience: Experience with and or ability/willingness to learn student, financial, employee, and reporting information systems such as SAP Concur (travel and expense reporting system), PSUBuy (Penn State's shopping portal), 25Live (room reservation system), and LionPath (student portal).
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as Academic Program Coordinator - Senior Support, this position requires:Associate Degree4+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Academic Program Coordinator - Intermediate Support, this position requires:General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS)2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $38,300.00 - $61,000.00.
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $38,300.00 - $61,000.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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