The Student Support Specialist will coordinate activities that support the Graduate Studies program in the Division of Biological Sciences (DBS). The student support specialist's responsibility is to help recruit new students into the program and help current students adjust, adapt, and advance through their degree program. The student support specialist also connects graduate students to relevant campus resources that promote their well-being and professional development. The aim of this staff position is to help students succeed in their studies and achieve their goals.

We are particularly interested in applicants looking for an opportunity to assist with the design and implementation of initiatives that increase cultural competence and facilitate a positive environment for graduate students, including their mental health and overall well-being.

Below are some of the responsibilities the student support specialist is likely to perform in the role:

• Establish and maintain records of students as they progress through their degree program
• Understand, communicate, and apply the MU Graduate School's and DBS rules, procedures, and policies for obtaining a graduate degree
• Provide general information to solve issues related to registration, student accounts, and financial support.
• Provide registration details and give helpful instructions on using registration tools to students.
• Assist graduate students with the process of registration, and other benchmarks prior to and at the time of requesting graduation.
• Work with the Director of Graduate Studies and DBS Faculty to track the financial support of students, including Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, and Fellowships
• Coordinate with portfolio fiscal and HR staff regarding graduate student appointments, funding arrangements, fellowship applications and renewals, etc.
• Collect and maintain student data for use in annual evaluations of graduate student progress, Divisional reports, and grant proposals  
• Assist with graduate recruitment activities, including coordinating campus visits, participating in recruitment events, and the developing of recruiting initiatives.
• Coordinates graduate events
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities to increase cultural competence and facilitate a positive environment for graduate students