What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist, Program for Asian American Student Advancement position at Inside Higher Ed?
Category:: Full-time Staff
Subscribe::
Department:: Student Affairs - Success & Services
Locations:: Lowell, MA
Posted:: Sep 26, 2025
Closes:: Oct 10, 2025 - 11:59 PM EDT
Type:: Full-time
Position ID:: 193287
About Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education to prepare individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.
The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a work environment where our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.
Job Description
Title: Program Specialist
Unit: Full-Time MCCC Professional Staff, Grade 04, Special Programs Coordinator, (Federally Grant Funded Position through May 30, 2026)
Department: Student Affairs, Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA)
Reports to: Director, External Affairs and Program for Asian American Student Advancement
Date: September 26, 2025
General Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of the Asian American Student Advancement Program, the Specialist provides comprehensive, individualized support to Asian American students through academic advising, mentoring, and culturally responsive programming. This role is instrumental in coordinating services, recruiting students, and delivering direct support that promotes persistence, retention, transfer, and graduation among MCC's Asian student population. The Specialist will collaborate with internal departments, including faculty, staff, and administrator, and external community partners to create an inclusive, supportive environment that fosters student success. Responsibilities also include case management, event coordination, grant-related data collection, and providing language translation as needed. This full-time, grant-funded position requires a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and the mission of the college.
Duties And Responsibilities
Program Coordination and Assessment
This position is supported through federal grant funding. While the college is fully committed to the success of this program, continued employment in this role is contingent upon ongoing grant funding. Should federal funding change in the future, the position may be impacted.
Salary Range: The starting salary for a Grade 04 position with a bachelor's degree is $63,159; actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire; This position will be eligible for a maximum of one day of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.
Expected Start Date: November 2025
Application Deadline: October 10, 2025
Application Instructions
All applicants must apply online by submitting:
The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
All offers of employment at Middlesex Community College are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates, as deemed necessary.
Middlesex Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at careers@middlesex.edu.
Middlesex Community College strives to make the application and interview process accessible for all applicants but understands that applicants may still encounter barriers due to ability, language, or technology. If we can make the process any more accessible for you, contact Human Resources at 781-280-3546 or careers@middlesex.edu.
Subscribe::
Department:: Student Affairs - Success & Services
Locations:: Lowell, MA
Posted:: Sep 26, 2025
Closes:: Oct 10, 2025 - 11:59 PM EDT
Type:: Full-time
Position ID:: 193287
About Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education to prepare individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.
The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a work environment where our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.
Job Description
Title: Program Specialist
Unit: Full-Time MCCC Professional Staff, Grade 04, Special Programs Coordinator, (Federally Grant Funded Position through May 30, 2026)
Department: Student Affairs, Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA)
Reports to: Director, External Affairs and Program for Asian American Student Advancement
Date: September 26, 2025
General Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of the Asian American Student Advancement Program, the Specialist provides comprehensive, individualized support to Asian American students through academic advising, mentoring, and culturally responsive programming. This role is instrumental in coordinating services, recruiting students, and delivering direct support that promotes persistence, retention, transfer, and graduation among MCC's Asian student population. The Specialist will collaborate with internal departments, including faculty, staff, and administrator, and external community partners to create an inclusive, supportive environment that fosters student success. Responsibilities also include case management, event coordination, grant-related data collection, and providing language translation as needed. This full-time, grant-funded position requires a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and the mission of the college.
Duties And Responsibilities
Program Coordination and Assessment
- Coordinate, lead, facilitate, and assess PAASA programs designed to enhance Asian American student engagement, academic success, and personal development.
- Provide individualized academic advising to Asian American students, assisting with course planning, goal setting, and overall academic progress.
- Assess students' educational objectives, academic preparedness, personal development, and socio-cultural needs to ensure appropriate support services are provided.
- Collaborate with the Office of Student Engagement and IDS Program to efficiently on-board new Asian American students through the Orientation Plus Program.
- Act as a liaison between Asian American students and key campus services, including Admissions, Advising, Registration, and Financial Aid, to ensure access and responsiveness to student needs.
- Plan and implement social and cultural events that foster a sense of belonging and community among Asian American students.
- Ensure services are delivered through a lens of inclusion, aligned with institutional goals for student retention and persistence.
- Assist in the collection and maintenance of AANAPISI grant-related data for reporting and evaluation purposes.
- Communicate in a foreign language and provide translation services as needed to support students and families.
- Maintain professional knowledge of remote service platforms (e.g., Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom) and provide virtual support as needed.
- Attend relevant training and development opportunities to enhance skills and stay current with best practices.
- Attend workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities to stay informed about current trends and best practices in student support and multicultural programming.
- Actively participate in college committees and contribute to institutional planning and decision-making processes as appropriate.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support the overall success of the Asian American Student Advancement Program and the college's mission.
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Business Administration, Mathematics, Computer Science, or other related field.
- Three (3) years of experience and/or training involving area of assignment, which may include college registration, academic advisement, career development, career experience, training, curriculum development, audio/visual or graphic production, grant administration, budget development, program/project management, event planning, administrative work in an academic environment, or personal computer operations; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Excellent collaboration and organizational skills.
- Community college professional experience with programs serving Asian American students preferred.
- Experience working with diverse at-risk college level students
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once.
- Working knowledge of modern office procedures, practices and equipment, including the use of computers.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; and to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Bilingual skills a plus
This position is supported through federal grant funding. While the college is fully committed to the success of this program, continued employment in this role is contingent upon ongoing grant funding. Should federal funding change in the future, the position may be impacted.
Salary Range: The starting salary for a Grade 04 position with a bachelor's degree is $63,159; actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:
- High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
- Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
- Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
- Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
- Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
- 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
- Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
- Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
- Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
- Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
- Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
- Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
- Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire; This position will be eligible for a maximum of one day of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.
Expected Start Date: November 2025
Application Deadline: October 10, 2025
Application Instructions
All applicants must apply online by submitting:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three (3) professional references
The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
All offers of employment at Middlesex Community College are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates, as deemed necessary.
Middlesex Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at careers@middlesex.edu.
Middlesex Community College strives to make the application and interview process accessible for all applicants but understands that applicants may still encounter barriers due to ability, language, or technology. If we can make the process any more accessible for you, contact Human Resources at 781-280-3546 or careers@middlesex.edu.
Salary : $63,159
