Overview of Program Coordinator
Purdue University Northwest is seeking a Program Coordinator to join our Educational Talent Search program at our Westville, IN campus. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for project development, implementation, and coordination. This position requires the Coordinator to think creatively and strategically about how to improve services for students delivered by Advisors that will aid in meeting program objectives. The Coordinator will be responsible for leading, assessing, and implementing a variety of projects.
This position does have the opportunity for a flexible work schedule but does require a strong on-campus presence. This position is Hybrid including on-campus, in the field, with some remote. The position predominantly works at the Westville campus with some travel to Hammond. The position requires regular travel to field sites.
Budgeted Salary: $50,000 - $52,000 depending on degree and experience.
Work Schedule:
- Monday thru Friday plus 1 weekend a month
- Typically 8am – 5pm with occasional evening work; will flex work schedule to accommodate
Click here to learn more about our Educational Talent Search Program at Westville.
Ready to Roar? Click here to see what it's like to join the Purdue Northwest Lions.
Duties and Responsibilities of Program Coordinator
- Acquire resources for academic advising for secondary and postsecondary education, including college entry, financial literacy, FAFSA, scholarships, and career awareness.
- Plan, facilitate, and/or lead workshops for students and parents on various academic topics.
- Plan and facilitate college tours and cultural events.
- Design and conduct workshops that will orient students with their first-year college experience.
- Assist students with locating educational resources at the post-secondary schools where they will enroll.
- May also provide information on the admissions and financial aid processes.
- Recruit and provide educational advising services to high school and/or middle school.
- Meet individually with program participants to review high school transcripts and provide guidance in course selection that will meet academic requirements for admissions to post-secondary institutions with moderate to competitive admission standards and to assist students in meeting requirements of the Indiana CORE 40 or Indiana Core 40 Honors diploma.
- Meet with students to review their results of SAT and ACT examinations and End of Course Assessments.
- Provide guidance in determining the need to retake examinations or provide guidance to students on further examination preparation.
- Administer and review scheduled assessments to junior and high school participants.
- Assist in coordinating tutoring, mentoring services, workshops, and educational/cultural activities that will assist students in overcoming academic barriers/difficulties to achieving their high school diploma, to ensure success and retention in their post-secondary education efforts.
- Conduct group and individual advising sessions with program participants.
- Make appropriate referrals to organizations or programs that provide services that assist students in pursuing post-secondary education.
- Identify, recruit, assess, and select eligible students in target areas for participation in the program.
- Maintain records that document project eligibility.
- Assist with the preparation of U.S. Department of Education Annual Report.
- Maintain and update files meeting required guidelines and compliance.
- Develop effective professional relationships with administrative liaisons in target schools.
- Provide detailed information about the program to all high schools in the target area and work collaboratively with the target schools.
- Other duties as assigned by Supervisor
Benefits of Program Coordinator
- Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and moreFull benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more
- Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover
- University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)
- University contributions to Health Savings Account –
- Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives
- 10 paid holidays
- Employee Wellness Programs
- Paid Parental Leave after one year of service
- Tuition remission for you, your spouse and dependent children at any Purdue campus
For more information on our excellent benefit package, please visit: https://www.pnw.edu/human-resources/benefits/
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required: Education, Counseling, Communications, Social Services or related field
- Master’s Degree preferred
Experience
- Three years of work experience in Education, Counseling, Social Services or other related field.
Core Competencies
- Strong working knowledge of social media – Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Proficient knowledge of college entry advising.
- Ability to manage details and effectively plan program events.
- Passion for educational outreach and working with youth.
- Exceptional customer service skills.
- Strong verbal communication skills including phone and in-person.
- Strong written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, handle and prioritize simultaneous projects.
- Computer literate – Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Publishing) and Google Docs.
- Demonstrated experience with developing programming.
- Ability to analyze problems or procedures and make logical and timely decisions.
- Valid driver’s license – ability to travel to target schools, agencies, and workshops.
- Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of individuals who have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
- Ability to effectively understand and make self-understood to a diverse constituency both inside and outside the university.
- The ability to work Saturdays, evenings, and to travel.
- Knowledge of rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA and conference be maintained, reviewed and practiced to ensure compliance relative to applicable duties
- Knowledge of high school curriculum, college and higher education programs a plus.
Additional Information
This positon is grant funded. The grant period is from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2031. Continuation is contingent upon grant funding.
Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
Professional references will be verified prior to any offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check along with a motor vehicle records check if applicable.
Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana in the greater Chicago area and near the Indiana Dunes National Park, PNW serves approximately 9,000 students, including 6,000 core students, in a wide range of academic programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and applied doctoral levels.
Purdue Northwest employs more than 1,000 faculty and staff members for operations at its main campus in Hammond, Ind., and its branch campus in Westville, Ind., plus additional sites in Northwest Indiana including the Gabis Arboretum near Valparaiso, Ind. PNW’s values reflect the university’s commitment to respect, innovation, a student-centric university, and excellence.
PNW is consistently ranked among the best public regional universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges report and is recognized as a First Scholars institution as well an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development.