Graduate Programs and Alumni Administrator

Reporting to the Executive Director, and under the direction of the CMES Director and the Director of Graduate Studies, The CMES academic programs manager serves as the primary administrative manager for two academic programs at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and one alumni program: 1) CMES AM Regional Studies, a 25-30 cohort two-year Master’s program, for which this role will serve as secondary program advisor and thesis process coordinator and 2) CMES Joint-PhD program administrator for ~30 current CMES PhD students in three joint PhD programs (CMES-History; CMES-Anthropology; CMES-History of Art and Architecture) 3) Alumni relations officer, tasked with engaging with CMES’s 900 alumni. The Grad and Alumni Programs Administrator is responsible for coordinating the selection and payment process for CMES travel stipends for ~75 graduate student trips (recipients throughout Harvard’s schools in addition to FAS, such as DIV, HKS, HLS, HSPS annually (JTerm, March Break and Summer) paid from ~3-4 unique funding sources at CMES and totaling ~$250,000.

Graduate Programs Administrator for CMES AM and PhD Programs: Inform faculty and students of GSAS graduate program policies and procedures, acts as liaison between the Department, Graduate School, Registrar, students and staff. Communicate and advise faculty and staff on administrative aspects of the programs and provides support to CMES faculty on academic advising, general administration and alumni relations. Communicate to students on upcoming programmatic initiatives/deadlines on behalf of DGS and CMES. Manage annual AM and Joint PhD (3 programs) admissions processes, organize recruitment and orientation of prospective graduate students. Support students at every stage of their graduate careers, including coursework, field requirements, the General Examination, the dissertation prospectus, fellowships, professional development workshops, career development and completion requirements. Write Dean’s Fund for Innovation and Development proposal and status report annually to GSAS in support of our AM and Ph.D. programs. Troubleshoot student issues and serve as an advocate for students. Advise faculty concerning withdrawal of students. Report on individual students to the Center and the Graduate School and makes recommendations. Coordinate formal review of the graduate program. Compile data for internal/external evaluations and surveys. Write annual report on the state of the of the program; update and revise Handbook at CMES and GSAS and write and update student orientation manual. Update and maintain student (and alumni) database/websites to ensure accuracy. Provide content for all external communications related to the graduate program and graduate program materials. Organize graduate student events including cohort social events and assists with CMES special events, lectures, and workshops.

Fellowships and Committee Coordination:·Convene and advise fellowship committees on policies and procedures. Serve ex-officio on admissions committees and fellowship committees and research/course travel fellowships. Guide students through the thesis process as described below and serve as a secondary advisor for AM students as they choose courses each semester. In consultation with CMES’s Director, Associate Faculty Director, and Director of Graduate Studies, sign-off on AM course choices in my.Harvard. Advise Harvard Middle East Cultural Student Association (HMECA) graduate student group on activities such as annual book sale, invited speakers and ad hoc events.

Research and Travel Award Management: Inform students about fellowships, research awards and manage CMES programs for graduate students University-wide (Research Travel awards, external awards) including all reporting functions associated with internal/external awards. Coordinate selection process and initiate payments to internal award recipients at CMES and across Harvard for JTerm, Spring and Summer Term graduate travel grants totaling approximately70 awards per year $250,000.

Alumni Engagement:· Manage all alumni relations activities at the center (~800 alumni) including assisting with the data management of alumni files. Keeps CMES LinkedIn Alumni page up-to-date and coordinates alumni career talks for CMES students. Must travel to Middle Eastern Studies (MESA) annual meeting held in November of each year and organize and facilitate the Harvard CMES alumni reception to promote CMES activities throughout our extensive alumni network. Assist with development and production of alumni content in the CMES newsletter. Develop new Alumni engagement opportunities. Build relationships with alumni and faculty – used for information gathering for boards and committees, program development and to get participants for professional connections with students. Coordinates upcoming 70th Anniversary of CMES Celebration (workshops, alumni, guest speakers, venue etc.)

• BA/BS and a background in a student programs/academic services/alumni engagement role.
• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience

MA/MS in Middle Eastern Studies or related field (Anthro, History or HAA) is preferred. Alumni Relations experience desirable.

Office environment. Some travel may be required (1-2 times per year). At times, remote or hybrid-work may be a component of this position.

We regret that we will not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All formal offers to be made by FAS HR.

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.