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Description & Details: This position supports the Agricultural Risk Policy Center (ARPC) at North Dakota State University, which conducts high-impact research on agricultural policy, risk management, and market disruptions. ARPC's work informs decision-makers at the state and national level while providing valuable insights to producers and stakeholders across North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. The Academic Coordinator plays a key role in coordinating the Agricultural Policy program and supporting a well-structured, high-quality student experience. This includes managing the student lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through engagement and experiential learning opportunities such as mentorship, internships, and travel-based programming. Working closely with faculty, campus partners, and external stakeholders, this role helps ensure program operations run smoothly while supporting ARPC's broader mission. The position also supports scholarship processes, program assessment, and reporting to strengthen student outcomes and maintain program effectiveness. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Recruitment, Outreach & Pipeline Development - 20% * Develop and implement outreach and recruitment strategies that build a strong pipeline of prospective s tudents aligned with program priorities. * Coordinate information sessions, classroom visits, outreach events, and communications with prospective students and key campus partners. * Maintain an inquiry-to-enrollment tracking process, ensuring timely follow-up and consistent messaging. * Support applicant engagement activities that strengthen yield (admitted-student touchpoints, targeted nudges). * Produce and update recruitment materials, timelines, and content across platforms. Admission Support, Selection & Student Onboarding - 15% * Manage application logistics, deadlines, communication templates, and documentation requirements. * Coordinate review processes (rubrics, committee scheduling, and candidate files) and communicate decisions and next steps. * Plan and deliver onboarding/orientation activities, including expectations, schedules, and readiness checklists. * Maintain participation records, agreements, and program requirement tracking. * Provide referral guidance to advising, financial aid, accessibility services, and other student support resources. Student Support, Engagement & Retention - 25% * Provide ongoing student-facing coordination and proactive support to promote persistence and completion. * Implement structured engagement practices (cohort meetings, community-building, peer supports, professional touchpoints). * Establish an early-alert process and coordinate interventions with faculty/advisors as needed. * Coordinate student success supports tied to academic progress and experiential participation (internship readiness, professionalism). * Document support actions and maintain consistent communications to strengthen continuity year to year. Experiential Learning Operations & External Engagement - 20% * Coordinate experiential components (mentorship, internships, networking, and travel-based learning activities) and ensure scheduling and readiness. * Maintain relationships with external partners/hosts and supporters; manage communications, logistics, and expectations for student participation. * Support mentor recruitment, matching, and engagement processes; monitor match health and coordinate improvements. * Manage logistics for key events/travel (itineraries, registrations, student packets, readiness coordination). * Track completion of experiential milestones and required deliverables (reflections, evaluations, participation confirmations). Scholarship Administration, Assessment, Reporting & Funder Engagement - 20% * Administer scholarship-related processes, including eligibility verification, award documentation, coordination with relevant offices, and student communications. * Define and track program metrics and outcomes (inquiries, applications, yield, participation, persistence, completion, placements, mentor engagement, post-program outcomes). * Conduct quantitative and qualitative assessments, including surveys, structured interviews, and focus groups with students, mentors, and partners. * Prepare periodic reports, annual impact summaries, and funder-ready materials; maintain data systems/dashboards to support accountability and storytelling. * Support fundraising and stewardship by coordinating funder communications, preparing briefing materials, tracking commitments/requirements, and supporting engagement activities (updates, visits, recognition, events). Work Schedule: This is a full-time, 12-month salaried position, reflecting the ongoing need for academic coordination at the Center. Hiring Range: $40,000 to $65,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations. Minimum Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (public policy, higher administration, communications, agriculture, economics, or related). * Two (2) years of professional experience in program coordination, student services, academic advising support, project management, outreach/recruitment, or a closely related role. * Demonstrated experience managing multiple timelines and stakeholders, with strong written and interpersonal communication skills. * Experience with data tracking/reporting (e.g., Excel/Google Sheets; basic dashboards; survey tools). * Ability to coordinate events/logistics and handle confidential student information with discretion. Preferred Qualifications: * Master's degree in higher education/student affairs, public administration/policy, agricultural economics, or a related area and/or additional relevant experience. * 3-5 years of experience supporting student success/retention, recruitment, cohort programs, scholarships, or experiential learning (internships, mentorship, travel programs). * Experience supporting external partner engagement and/or assisting with grant/funder reporting and stewardship materials. * Familiarity with university systems and processes (student records, scholarships/financial processes, travel, purchasing). * Knowledge of agriculture, policy, or workforce development programs (helpful but not required). Core Competencies: * Program and project management (planning, execution, follow-through, documentation, continuous improvement). * Student-centered support (advising-style communication, retention practices, problem solving, appropriate referral). * Recruitment and outreach (pipeline development, event coordination, relationship-building). * Operational logistics (scheduling, travel/event planning, internship/mentorship coordination, readiness organization). * Assessment and reporting (defining metrics, quantitative/qualitative evaluation including surveys and focus groups, data integrity, clear reporting). * Partner and stakeholder engagement (faculty, campus offices, mentors, hosts, supporters/funders). * Communication skills (clear writing, consistent messaging, professional presence). * Technology fluency (spreadsheets, document management, survey tools, comfort learning campus platforms). Applicant Materials Required: Resume Cover Letter Our commitment to caring for our employees isn't just words-it's proven. In NDSU's most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. "My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person" and "I have the opportunities to learn and grow", were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you'll experience here. NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS! Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success. Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits: Health & Wellness * 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage * Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA * Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date * Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation Exceptional Retirement Plan * Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position (One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows. Time Away & Support * Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays * Employee Assistance Program for confidential support * Supportive work-life balance Education Benefits That Grow With You * Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year) * 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents Additional Optional Benefits * Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care * Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care) * Supplemental Retirement Plans Explore Full Benefit Details: Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU About Us: North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment. NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country. NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live. NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach. Equal Opportunity Statement: NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, . No Smoking Notice: As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10. Veteran's Preference Notice: This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements. Reasonable Accommodation Information: North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or .