Coordinator, Graduate Student Engagement - Graduate School - UTK

The Graduate Student Engagement Coordinator develops and coordinates recruitment events, outreach initiatives, and engagement experiences that introduce prospective students to graduate education at the University of Tennessee. Working collaboratively with academic colleges, campus partners, current graduate students, and Graduate School leadership, this position creates welcoming, high-quality recruitment experiences that strengthen the pipeline from undergraduate education to graduate study. The coordinator also develops and manages the Graduate Student Ambassador Program and supports recruitment communications and event operations through Slate and other enrollment systems.

Graduate Enrollment Management Events and Engagement

• Lead the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of university-wide graduate recruitment events, including Become a Grad Vol Day, Graduate School Open House, admitted student events, graduate recruitment fairs, and prospective student visit programs.
• Partner with academic colleges to develop recruitment programming that showcases graduate education opportunities across the university.
• Develop and implement outreach initiatives with university partners including Honors, TRiO, and undergraduate summer research experiences.
• Coordinate virtual recruitment programming, webinars, information sessions, and other online engagement opportunities for prospective students.
• Develop annual event calendars, project timelines, planning documents, and implementation plans that support Graduate Enrollment Management priorities.
• Assess recruitment event effectiveness through participant feedback and outcome measures, recommending improvements to increase prospective student engagement.

Graduate Student Ambassador Program

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the Graduate Student Ambassador Program to support graduate recruitment, prospective student engagement, and Graduate School visibility across the university.
• Develop the ambassador program structure, including recruitment, selection criteria, onboarding, training curriculum, expectations, performance standards, and annual assessment.
• Recruit, interview, select, train, supervise, and retain a cohort of graduate student ambassadors representing a broad range of academic disciplines and student experiences.
• Coordinate ambassador assignments for recruitment events, campus visits, virtual information sessions, college presentations, admitted student programming, and outreach initiatives.
• Develop ambassador resource materials, including talking points, presentation guides, FAQs, communication templates, and recruitment messaging to ensure a consistent Graduate School brand and visitor experience.
• Collaborate with academic colleges to identify ambassador needs and coordinate participation in college-specific recruitment and engagement activities.
• Establish recognition, leadership development, and appreciation initiatives that encourage ambassador engagement and long-term participation.
• Evaluate ambassador program effectiveness through participation metrics, student feedback, and recruitment outcomes, recommending improvements annually.
• Coordinate personalized campus visit experiences, including graduate student shadowing opportunities, research laboratory visits, meetings with faculty, and customized campus tours for prospective students.

GEM Operations and Communications

• Coordinate registration, logistics, attendance tracking, and follow-up communications for Graduate Enrollment Management recruitment events using Slate and other university systems.
• Maintain accurate event records, participant information, and engagement activities within Slate to support prospective student relationship management.
• Generate participation summaries, attendance reports, and event evaluations that measure recruitment activity, identify trends, and inform future programming decisions.
• Coordinate communication campaigns before and after recruitment events, including invitations, confirmations, reminders, follow-up messaging, and post-event surveys in collaboration with Graduate School Communications.
• Monitor event participation, registration trends, and engagement outcomes to identify opportunities for improving recruitment effectiveness and participant experience.
• Develop standardized event timelines, planning documents, communication schedules, and operational procedures to ensure consistent delivery of Graduate School recruitment initiatives.
• Coordinate with admissions staff to ensure prospective students receive timely information and appropriate follow-up throughout the recruitment process.

Campus Partnerships and Relationship Development

• Develop collaborative relationships with undergraduate academic advisors, faculty, college recruiters, student success professionals, and campus partners to increase awareness of graduate education opportunities.
• Serve as the Graduate School's primary liaison for undergraduate-to-graduate recruitment initiatives across the university.
• Identify opportunities to expand the Graduate School's presence at campus events and student engagement activities.
• Collaborate with Graduate School Communications to ensure recruitment events and initiatives are effectively promoted through digital and print communication channels.
• Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three years of professional experience in higher education admissions, recruitment, enrollment management, student services, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating outreach campaigns, recruitment initiatives, or student engagement programs
• Experience using event registration systems, CRM platforms, or similar software preferred.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and deadlines
• Proficiency with standard office software and event coordination tools
• Knowledge of event planning and program coordination principles
• Ability to coordinate logistics and independently coordinate complex projects and events; ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail in planning and implementation
• Ability to develop and improve processes that support program efficiency
• Ability to analyze participation and engagement data to inform program improvements

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Familiarity with higher education environments and student engagement programming

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 08
• Anticipated hiring range: $55-58K
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Graduate School at the University of Tennessee Knoxville is a dynamic office that provides a wide range of services to students and academic units from recruitment to graduation. While prospective students are exploring graduate education, we are here to provide insight into the programs available and the process for applying. Once a student has decided to submit an application, we manage the admissions process in coordination with the academic units. During the time a student is enrolled at UTK, the Graduate School monitors student progress and provides support for student success. As students approach graduation, we evaluate records and verify the awarding of all degrees.

Graduate education is one of the components that makes UT a great university. The Graduate School is a full partner in supporting the university’s mission, vision, and the values embodied in the Volunteer Spirit.