| Position Title: |
Director of Graduate Studies |
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| Location: |
Big Rapids (Main Campus) |
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| Department: |
31028 - Graduate Office
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| Advertised Salary: |
$70,000.00 - $80,000.00; Salary commensurate with education, experiences, and other requirements. |
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Benefits:
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Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
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| FLSA: |
Exempt |
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| Temporary/Continuing: |
Continuing |
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| Part-Time/Full-Time: |
Full-Time |
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| Union Group: |
N/A |
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| Term of Position: |
12 Month |
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| At Will/Just Cause: |
At Will |
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| Summary of Position: |
The Director of Graduate Studies will:
Lead and champion the growth, development, quality, and continuation of all graduate programs and graduate education at Ferris State University.
Move graduate education in a direction aligned with Ferris' strategic plan and the goal of enhancing the scholarly contributions of graduate faculty and students.
Cultivate progressive academic and administrative policies related to graduate education.
Oversee operations in the Office of Graduate Studies, such as the administrative process, marketing strategy, and graduate student experience.
Foster collaborative relationships with all faculty, program coordinators, college deans, administrators, and off-campus stakeholders serving and served by the graduate programs.
Develop centralized funding for graduate scholarships, assistantships, and similar support for graduate students.
The anticipated start date for this position is March 2026. However, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed. |
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| Position Type: |
Staff |
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| Required Education: |
Terminal Degree from a regionally accredited university |
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| Required Work Experience: |
Graduate teaching experience or related professional activities
Demonstrated leadership and administrative skills.
Effective interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to cultivate relationships with faculty, staff, and administration that emphasizes collaboration and support. |
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: |
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| Physical Demands: |
- Office Environment
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Twisting
- Climbing
- Repetitive movement
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: |
Years of experience teaching graduate courses
Years of administrative experience related to coordinating or leading a graduate program.
Demonstrated commitment to the promotion of graduate programs and studies.
Demonstrated advocacy related to graduate education.
Record of grant-writing experience.
Knowledge of university Graduate Studies policies and procedures.
Knowledge of graduate education trends and efforts.
Knowledge of graduate enrollment management trends and efforts. |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: |
Provide academic, curricular, policy, research, enrollment, strategic, and administrative leadership, on matters related to graduate education to the University Graduate and Professional Council (UGPC), Graduate Program Coordinators, the Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Deans' Council, and the Provost.
Ensure that plans, policies, practices, procedures and programs align with University-wide strategies and College-level directions.
Promote and facilitate increased focus on peer-reviewed publications and external grant activities by graduate students and graduate program faculty.
These responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Support curricular activities :
Nurture the development of graduate programs, new disciplines, degrees, certificates, and courses that are congruent with the strategic plans of the University and build on the strengths of existing graduate programs.
Collaborate with colleges and graduate program coordinators/directors/chairs to explore innovative development of graduate program offerings.
Academic Activities:
Lead development and implementation of comprehensive Graduate Education Strategic Plans
Advocate, in cooperation with College administrators and faculty leadership, for the growth and development of graduate research faculty with a focus on scholarly outcome.
Quality Assurance Activities:
Ensure HLC accreditation standards are met with regard to graduate education. Take an active role in addressing any HLC findings relative to graduate studies and work with the programs, Colleges, departments, and University administration to rectify non-compliance.
Provide needed support to programs in meeting unit-specific accreditation standards as needed.
Monitor and advocate for curricular processes that give due consideration, rigor, and graduate¬ level input into the maintenance and development of graduate courses and programs.
Advocate for and ensure the quality of online learning platforms, assistive technologies, and faculty support to promote excellence in online and hybrid graduate programs.
Enrollment Activities:
Provide guidance and leadership in the formation and implementation of enrollment management strategies, policies, and practices to foster growth and maintain stability and continuity based on the needs of the graduate programs at the University.
Be present at recruitment activities to promote visibility of Ferris' graduate studies.
Collaborate with Ferris marketing offices to develop marketing and advertising plans, educational and promotional activities, and electronic and print marketing pieces that specifically promote graduate programs, generate interest, and build broad awareness for graduate studies.
Work with graduate programs, Graduate Studies office staff, graduate faculty, the Admissions Office, and other units and groups to use and sustain best practices for student recruiting, progression, and retention policies and practices.
Research/Scholarly/Professional Activities:
Promote active collaboration between graduate students and graduate faculty in scholarly and creative endeavors.
Work with Ferris' Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to secure funding and support grants and research opportunities for graduate faculty and graduate students.
Monitor, gather data, analyze, report, and share the graduate research and scholarship productivity of faculty, students, and staff.
Develop policies to promote scholarly productivity and professional development of graduate faculty.
Fundraising, Advancement, Outreach, Grants, and Community Activities:
Build awareness for graduate education at Ferris and enhance external relations throughout the region. Be an ambassador and advocate for graduate studies who communicates the scholarship, leadership, and research expertise of our faculty.
Foster collaborative partnerships among campus units, with Ferris administration, higher education partners, educational entities, businesses, and other organizations that serve the best interest of graduate students, faculty, and Ferris State University.
Engage in cultivating and securing internal funding for all aspects of the graduate education enterprise. Work collaboratively with, at a minimum, the College advancement officers, Foundation advancement officers, and Alumni Association. Examples include endowed scholarships, professorships, professional activities, assistantships, tuition waivers, and student financial aid.
Spearhead and secure external funding to establish innovative new graduate programs or collaborations between existing graduate programs.
Budget Activities:
Oversee the operating budgets associated with the Graduate Studies Office.
Facilitate the productive use of any central resources allocated to support the Graduate Studies strategic plan, graduate assistants, scholarships/grants, or other initiatives to further graduate studies.
Oversee the management and disbursement of any endowments, scholarships, or other restricted funds that are designated specifically to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Specific Responsibilities:
Work in collaboration with the chair of the UGPC, the Council members, the Graduate Office staff, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), and the academic college deans to lead implementation of strategies that support, promote, and grow graduate studies and the portfolio of graduate programs.
Represent graduate studies when academic policies are being discussed and developed.
Track graduate scholarship productivity of students and faculty across all graduate programs.
Provide input regarding the budget of the Office of Graduate Studies.
Serve as a standing member of the UGPC (ex officio).
Represent Graduate Studies as needed at administrative meetings (especially with senior administration).
Represent Graduate Studies as needed at relevant ceremonies.
Represent Graduate Studies as needed at other university meetings/activities.
Oversee the operations and personnel of the Office of Graduate Studies.
Prepare academic, enrollment, and other reports as needed.
Cultivate graduate student experience through activities, graduate assistance opportunities, awards, and scholarships.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: |
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| Skills and Abilities: |
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic and life experiences. |
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| Required Documents: |
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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| Optional Documents: |
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of Doctoral degree. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.
Unofficial Transcript 2 (OPTIONAL): Applicants who have completed additional college coursework degrees must attach a copy of unofficial transcript. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript. |
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Initial Application Review Date:
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February 16, 2026 |
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| Open Until Position is Filled?: |
Yes |
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Posting Close Date:
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| EEO Statement: |
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
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