Job Summary

The Senior Graduate Programs Specialist (Indianapolis) serves as a key professional contributor in the College of Engineering Dean’s Office of Graduate Education, with primary responsibility for independently developing, coordinating, and advancing graduate student recruitment, retention, and engagement initiatives for Purdue Engineering in Indianapolis. This position works with the Assoc. Director for Graduate Student Excellence to strategize and develop complex initiatives, and then leads those initiatives that support Purdue Engineering Indianapolis strategic priorities and contributes to enrollment growth, student persistence, engagement, and connection.

Working collaboratively with faculty, graduate program leadership, administrators, students, and external partners across Indianapolis and West Lafayette, the position leads cross-functional projects; translates strategic goals into operational plans; develops recommendations for operational practices; and uses data and stakeholder feedback to improve programs and student recruitment and retention outcomes. The role serves as a centralized resource for graduate student success in Indianapolis and requires independent judgment, specialized knowledge of graduate education, and the ability to manage multiple high-impact initiatives with limited day-to-day direction.

This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact at a prestigious institution known for innovation and research excellence. Join our community of lifelong learners and contribute your skills to this critical program. At Purdue, you'll find unrivaled pride and unlimited potential as we persistently pursue the next giant leap together. Take the next step in your career journey - apply now to help build a better world at Purdue University.

What You'll Be Doing:

Graduate Recruitment and Enrollment Support

• Serve as the College of Engineering’s Indianapolis-based lead for graduate student recruitment initiatives, exercising independent judgment in planning, prioritizing, and executing recruitment activities aligned with college growth goals.
• Independently lead the development, implementation, and assessment of graduate recruitment initiatives that support enrollment growth and strategic priorities for Purdue Engineering Indianapolis.
• Collaborate with engineering schools and academic programs to develop and implement master’s and doctoral recruitment strategies, including Indianapolis-focused outreach, visitation, and yield programming.
• Analyze enrollment trends, recruitment outcomes, and pipeline development opportunities to identify areas for improvement and recommend data-informed strategies that strengthen recruitment effectiveness and student yield.
• Represent the College at graduate recruitment fairs, conferences, professional meetings, university partner events, and outreach programs; deliver presentations to prospective students and external stakeholders.
• Expand graduate enrollment pathways, including support for the Boilermaker Express Admission to Master’s (BEAM) program and other pipeline initiatives.
• Identify new recruitment opportunities, maintain relationships with prospective student pipelines, and recommend approaches to support graduate enrollment growth in Indianapolis.
• Strategize and develop new recruitment practices, processes, and procedures that enhance operational effectiveness, improve prospective student engagement, and support enrollment growth objectives.

Graduate Student Retention and Engagement

• Lead retention, engagement, and student success initiatives in collaboration with engineering schools, Purdue campus locations, and university partners.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs that support graduate student retention, academic success, belonging, engagement, and professional growth.
• Coordinate professional development programming that builds leadership, communication, research, mentoring, and professional competencies among graduate students.
• Plan and execute signature Indianapolis graduate student initiatives, including the annual Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, networking events, workshops, orientation and yield activities, and other high-impact programs.
• Strengthen graduate students’ connection to Purdue University, the Indianapolis campus, and greater Indianapolis through programming, partnerships, and local engagement opportunities.
• Lead collaborations with graduate chairs, faculty, staff, Career Services, and other campus partners to identify student needs, address barriers to persistence, and connect students with resources that promote success.
• Analyze program outcomes and stakeholder feedback, identify emerging student success needs, and recommend improvements to engagement and retention practices.

Student Leadership Development and Community Building

• Develop and coordinate the Engineering Graduate Student Navigator/Ambassador Program in Indianapolis, including program structure, recruitment, training, communication, and ongoing support.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and leadership development opportunities for Graduate Student Navigators, ambassadors, and student leaders to support peer engagement and community building.
• Serve as a resource to faculty, staff, and student leaders on graduate student engagement and retention strategies.
• Serve as the advisor and/or connector to Indianapolis graduate student organizations, including IGNITE, and support student-led programs and initiatives that enhance belonging and engagement.

Assessment, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Collect, analyze, and report data on graduate recruitment, enrollment, retention, engagement, and program effectiveness.
• Assess initiatives and prepare reports, recommendations, and decision-support materials for college leadership and academic partners.
• Monitor key metrics, communicate findings to stakeholders, and identify opportunities to improve graduate student success and program outcomes.
• Recommend improvements to programs, services, policies, and practices using assessment data and stakeholder feedback.

• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making.
• Other duties as needed to further the CoE graduate education mission and goals

About Us:

The College of Engineering at Purdue University is among the best and largest Engineering schools in the world. With nearly 16,000 engineering students and more than 500 tenure track faculty in the college, this position has ample opportunity to have an impact at one of the world’s most influential universities.

For more information about our department, please visit:

• College of Engineering, Purdue University  https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr
• External Recognitions Program   https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/People/Awards
• College of Engineering's Social Media   https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/social

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree.
• Four (4) years of relevant professional experience in higher education, graduate education, student success, recruitment, retention, enrollment management, program administration, or related fields.
• Experience independently managing projects, programs, or initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups and influencing decisions across organizational boundaries.

Skills needed:

• Ability to independently plan, implement, and assess cross-functional programs that support graduate recruitment, retention, engagement, and student success.
• Strong relationship-building skills with faculty, graduate program leaders, students, administrators, industry/community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead complex initiatives, manage competing priorities, make recommendations, and exercise sound judgment with limited day-to-day direction.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively with different audiences.
• Strong data literacy and ability to use assessment results, enrollment information, and stakeholder feedback to recommend improvements.
• Commitment to excellence, student belonging, and support for graduate student persistence and success.
• Ability to serve as a centralized resource for Indianapolis graduate education priorities and connect students and academic units with relevant Purdue resources.

Nice to have:

• PhD
• Experience working with graduate students and STEM or engineering populations.
• Experience managing student success, engagement, recruitment, retention, or professional development initiatives.
• Experience advising student organizations and coordinating large-scale programs or events.
• Experience using assessment data to inform strategic planning and program improvement.
• Experience building community and working across multiple campus locations or partner groups.

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Additional Information:

• Purdue’s benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contribution Waiting Period

Career Stream

Compensation Information:
Professional 3
Pay Band S060
Job Code#20002135

 
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

EOE

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university