Student Initiatives Coordinator, Principal

Develops policy, infrastructure, campus partnerships, and programs to promote and support undergraduate involvement in research and other students initiative programs that can lead to authentic impact for the surrounding community.

In 2020, the Institute for Inclusive & Transformative Scholarship (IFITS) was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education. It evolved out of the Institute for STEM & Diversity Initiatives, with the vision of creating and nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community, where all are actively engaged in the scholarly life of the university and the region. IFITS staff are a small but mighty team that serves undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and our community in order to increase access to and accelerate impacts from transformative scholarship. IFITS works extensively with many other university offices to collaboratively achieve our goals. IFITS leads the VIP program, the ASSERT program, and consults with faculty from across campus on their scholarly initiatives. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) lives within IFITS and works to engage all undergraduates in the scholarly life of the university. We do this through programming (e.g. Summer Research Community), cohort programs (e.g. LSAMP and Bridge to the Baccalaureate), and through grants and paid research experiences (e.g. HERC Fellowship, URCA grant). OUR also offers workshops and mentorship training to support faculty and researchers, and hosts several large events for undergraduate researchers to present their work.

Recognized master in professional discipline with significant impact and influence on campus policy and program development. Establishes critical strategic and operational goals; develops and implements new products, processes, standards or operational plans to achieve strategies. Regularly leads projects of critical importance to the campus; these projects carry substantial consequences of success or failure. Requires significant influence and communication with executive leadership. Problems faced are frequently complex and multidimensional, requiring broad based consideration of variables that impact multiple areas of the organization.

60% of Time the Student Initiatives Coordinator, Principal:

• Directs grant-funded cohort programs for undergraduate and graduate student populations involved in research and educational programs.
• Establishes strategic and operational goals and vision for undergraduate research and student initiative programs.
• Manages internally and externally funded programs for students involved in research and creative activity projects.
• Contributes to grant proposals to support student research engagement.
• Coordinates undergraduate research opportunities campus wide so that any student interested in pursuing research knows exactly where to find information and resources.
• Oversees the development of resources and programs, such as group workshops, informational events, and electronic documents, to assist undergraduates in finding experiential learning opportunities.
• Ensures that all students are aware of mentored research and professional development opportunities available.
• May supervise, hire, and lead support staff of the department. 

35% of Time the Student Initiatives Coordinator, Principal:

• Provides vision and strategic direction for the Office of Undergraduate Research.
• Leads the Vertically Integrated Projects program.
• Provides faculty development, in particular in STEM fields, related to inclusive mentoring and broadening participation within externally funded projects.
• Serves on the planning and leadership teams of relevant STEM education grant programs on campus and across the state.

5% of Time the Student Initiatives Coordinator, Principal:

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Evidence of:

• Knowledge of:
  • the processes and procedures of higher education
  • how to effectively mentor students in undergraduate research, especially those who have been traditionally under-served in STEM education
  • how to support faculty mentors of undergraduate researchers
  • the research surrounding supporting and growing undergraduate research, through an inclusive lens
• Excellent Communication skills:
  
  • Verbal
  • Written
  • Active listening
  • With a variety of individuals across different power and positionality levels
• Problem Solving skills - for example:
  
  • Identifying the need for process or programming improvements
  • Reasoning around the issues related to this improvement need
  • Ideating solutions
  • Designing solutions
  • Implementing solutions
  • Assessing solutions
  • Iterating this process
• Organization and Computer skills:
  
  • Working on multiple projects simultaneously
  • Prioritizing different elements of the job
  • Utilizing technology to assist with resource organization
  • Proficiency in Google suite, MS Word and Excel
• Service mindset and related skills in providing assistance to a variety of stakeholders
• Relevant Professional Experience:
  
  • In a STEM educational discipline
  • Managing complex projects
  • Working independently
  • Working as part of a team
  • Working in a STEM research lab setting as a student and/or as a mentor
  • Leading effectively

Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree and 8 years of professional experience or equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• STEM degree 
• MS or PhD in a STEM field
• Higher education experience beyond being a student

$70,000 annually. Boise State University is committed to offering a benefits package that provides health and financial protection plans as well as resources to promote health and well-being. Our program provides flexibility so you can choose the benefits that are right for you and your family. Learn more about our benefit options at https://www.boisestate.edu/hrs/benefits/ .

• Cover Letter that provides an overview of why you are interested in this position and what qualifications you have that respond to this job description;
• Resume or CV that includes details of your academic and experience-based credentials;
• A statement that describes your approach or philosophy for supporting, mentoring, and developing student scholars and assisting other mentors of these students;
• Names, contact information, and relationship to the applicant of three professional references.

AI statement: The search committee prefers that applicants rely on their own skills and experiences to craft application materials. However, if generative AI tools (such as Bard or ChatGPT) are used to craft application materials in any way, we ask that applicants provide a brief statement explaining how and why these tools were used.