Gig: Project Description: Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Program Assistant (Work-Study Position)

The Project
The Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Program Assistant plays a central role in supporting the administrative, recruitment, and programmatic functions of a large, research-intensive doctoral program. This work-study position is designed to provide a doctoral student with applied experience in higher education leadership, program coordination, and data-informed decision-making within the context of graduate education. The assistant will work closely with the Program Director, faculty, and staff to support the full lifecycle of doctoral program operations from recruitment and admissions to program evaluation and student engagement. The Program Director will mentor the assistant through weekly meetings, modeling, and direct guidance on program leadership tasks. In the area of recruitment, the assistant will serve as a first point of contact for prospective students, responding to email and phone inquiries and maintaining accurate, accessible program information across digital platforms. This includes managing program websites, updating recruitment materials such as flyers, and developing a coordinated social media presence to enhance visibility and outreach. The assistant will also support the planning and execution of recruitment events and maintain an up-to-date contact database to ensure strategic communication with prospective applicants. For admissions, the assistant will support a highly structured and collaborative review process. Responsibilities include downloading and organizing applicant data, preparing materials for faculty review, and coordinating communication with faculty regarding their assigned applications. The assistant will compile faculty ratings and document reviews within systems such as Slate, assist in identifying candidates for interviews, and manage all applicant communications related to interview invitations and logistics. This includes preparing interview agendas, coordinating virtual or in-person logistics, troubleshooting access issues, and supporting faculty during interview day. The assistant will also compile post-interview evaluations and communicate with applicants frequently and as needed until the candidate begins their program of study. The assistant serves to expedite the timeline for decisions through increased communication and support both faculty and applicants in this process. The assistant will contribute to program activities that foster doctoral student engagement and scholarly community. This includes planning open forums, coordinating a featured alumni speaker series, organizing professional learning workshops for doctoral students (e.g., APA formatting, IRB processes, academic writing, job search strategies, writing for publication, and dissertation wellness), and supporting the program’s annual conference of academic scholars. The assistant will play an active role in organizing and facilitating these events, gaining experience in academic event coordination, professional development programming, and community-building within doctoral education. In addition, the assistant will support initiatives such as the Doctoral Student Council and Engaged Leadership Initiative (ELI) Fellows, and assist in preparing agendas and materials for the Doctoral Steering Committee, contributing to shared governance and program development. In support of program evaluation and continuous improvement, the assistant will help prepare materials for external reviews, contribute to SACs reporting, and organize institutional data from sources such as GPDNet and Graduate School datasets. A key component of this role includes mentored engagement in data analysis. The student will work closely with the Program Director to analyze both quantitative and qualitative program data, developing skills in data interpretation, synthesis, and reporting. Through this process, the assistant will learn how data-informed decision-making guides program improvement initiatives, strategic planning, and accountability processes within doctoral education. Instructional support responsibilities include assisting with the development and maintenance of Canvas course shells and entering relevant data into program management systems. The assistant will also support scheduling processes by helping to revise the program’s three-year course rotation plan, develop course schedules in collaboration with faculty and students, and design questionnaires to gather student input on course needs. Maintaining accurate spreadsheets to track student progress toward degree completion is a key component of this work. Overall, this position provides a comprehensive, hands-on experience in doctoral program administration. It is particularly well-suited for students interested in academic leadership, higher education administration, or faculty roles that involve program coordination. Through this role, the assistant will develop skills in communication, data analysis, event planning, collaborative leadership, and systems-level thinking within the context of urban-focused doctoral education. Job Responsibilities Recruitment • Respond to email and phone inquiries from prospective students • Manage and update program websites to ensure accurate and current information • Update and design program recruitment materials (e.g., flyers, digital assets) • Create and manage the program’s social media presence to support outreach and visibility • Support the planning and coordination of recruitment and prospective student events • Maintain and update recruitment contact lists and communication databases Admissions • Download, organize, and manage applicant data from admissions systems (e.g., Slate) • Prepare and organize applicant materials for faculty review • Communicate with faculty regarding assigned applicant reviews and timelines • Collect, compile, and document faculty ratings and application reviews in Slate • Analyze and sort applicant ratings to support interview selection decisions • Notify applicants of interview invitations and manage related communications • Prepare detailed interview day agendas and materials • Communicate interview logistics, including agendas, virtual log-on instructions, and troubleshooting support • Coordinate with faculty to organize interview groups and meeting spaces (virtual or in-person) • Host and manage interview day logistics, resolving technical or access issues as needed • Compile faculty evaluations of interviewed applicants • Communicate with waitlisted applicants and respond to admissions-related inquiries • Assist in planning and coordinating new student orientation Program Activities and Events • Plan and coordinate program open forums and doctoral student engagement events • Organize and support a featured alumni speaker series • Coordinate professional learning workshops for doctoral students (e.g., APA formatting, IRB processes, academic writing, job search strategies, writing for publication, dissertation wellness) • Support planning and implementation of the program’s annual academic conference • Organize doctoral social and community-building events • Support the Doctoral Student Council and Engaged Leadership Initiative (ELI) Fellows programming • Assist with development of agendas and materials for the Doctoral Steering Committee Program Evaluation and Data Analysis • Prepare materials and documentation for external program reviews • Assist with SACs reporting and accreditation-related processes • Organize and manage program data from institutional sources (e.g., GPDNet, Graduate School datasets) • Conduct preliminary quantitative and qualitative data analysis under mentorship of the Program Director • Assist in synthesizing and presenting data to inform program improvement and strategic decision-making • Maintain organized data files and documentation to support ongoing evaluation efforts Scheduling and Student Progress Tracking • Assist in revising the program’s three-year course rotation plan with faculty and student input • Support development of course schedules aligned with program needs and enrollment patterns • Design and distribute questionnaires to gather student input on course offerings and needs • Maintain and update spreadsheets tracking student progress toward degree completion • Monitor and organize program records related to student milestones and progression

Learning Experience
Participation in this role provides a substantive, practice-based learning experience in doctoral program leadership and higher education administration. The student will gain a comprehensive understanding of how a Ph.D. program operates across its full lifecycle from recruitment and admissions to program evaluation, curriculum planning, and student support. Through direct involvement in these processes, the student develops insight into the structural, organizational, and strategic dimensions of graduate education, particularly within a research-intensive and urban-focused context. A central component of the learning experience is the development of data analysis and data-informed decision-making skills. The student will be mentored directly by the Program Director in analyzing both quantitative and qualitative program data, including admissions trends, student progression, and program outcomes. This mentorship will support the student in developing methodological rigor and applied analytic skills, while also illustrating how data can be used to guide program improvement initiatives, inform strategic planning, and strengthen accountability processes such as external reviews and accreditation reporting. The position offers meaningful opportunities to build advanced professional skills. The student will strengthen their ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders, including prospective students, faculty, and institutional partners, while also developing competencies in professional writing, data organization, and project management. Engagement with admissions systems (e.g., Slate), institutional datasets (e.g., GPDNet), and program tracking tools will further enhance the student’s data literacy and capacity to translate findings into actionable program decisions. In addition, the student will gain extensive experience in event planning and academic program coordination. The doctoral program hosts a range of professional and scholarly activities, including a featured alumni speaker series, professional learning workshops for students (e.g., APA formatting, IRB processes, academic writing, job search strategies, writing for publication, and dissertation wellness), and an annual conference of academic scholars. The student will play a key role in organizing and supporting these events, developing skills in logistics, stakeholder coordination, and professional engagement within academic communities. The role also provides exposure to shared governance and program development processes, including participation in doctoral steering committee preparation and support for initiatives such as the Doctoral Student Council and Engaged Leadership Initiative (ELI) Fellows. These experiences foster leadership, collaboration, and systems-level thinking, particularly in dynamic and complex institutional contexts. Importantly, this position supports the student’s professional identity development as a scholar-practitioner. By working closely with faculty, contributing to program-level decision-making, and engaging in the design and implementation of academic initiatives, the student will develop a deeper understanding of faculty roles and responsibilities, including mentoring, curriculum design, and program stewardship. This experience is especially valuable for those pursuing careers in academia, educational leadership, or program administration, as it bridges theoretical knowledge with applied practice in a sustained and meaningful way.

Outcomes
Expected Outcomes of the Work-Study Experience 1. Doctoral Program Knowledge • Student will be able to describe and explain the full lifecycle of a doctoral program (recruitment, admissions, implementation, evaluation) • Student will be able to identify key roles, systems, and processes that support doctoral education 2. Professional Communication and Leadership • Student will be able to communicate effectively with prospective students, faculty, and peers in professional contexts • Student will be able to coordinate and lead components of program activities and events • Student will be able to demonstrate professional responsibility and collaboration in a team-based environment 3. Data Analysis and Data-Informed Decision-Making • Student will be able to analyze and interpret both quantitative and qualitative program data • Student will be able to organize and manage institutional datasets (e.g., admissions, enrollment, progression) • Student will be able to apply data to inform program improvement, reporting, and strategic decisions 4. Event Planning and Program Engagement • Student will be able to plan and implement academic and professional events (e.g., recruitment events, alumni speakers, workshops, conference) • Student will be able to support professional learning opportunities for doctoral students • Student will be able to contribute to building a strong doctoral community 5. Organizational and Project Management Skills • Student will be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively • Student will be able to develop and maintain organized systems for tracking data, applicants, and student progress • Student will be able to create agendas, timelines, and materials to support program operations 6. Administrative Support • Student will be able to manage program-related data systems accurately and efficiently 7. Program Evaluation and Strategic Planning • Student will be able to contribute to program evaluation processes, including external reviews and reporting • Student will be able to synthesize data into actionable insights for program improvement 8. Scholar-Practitioner Development • Student will be able to connect administrative practice with research and leadership in education • Student will be able to articulate how doctoral program structures support student success and academic outcomes • Student will be able to demonstrate readiness for roles in academia, program leadership, or higher education administration On-Campus Employment (UNC Charlotte Departments Only) UNC Charlotte Gig Training Program