Director, Student Affairs & Admissions
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Position Summary

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, known as GSBS, is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as the Director of Student Affairs and Admissions. With more than 600 faculty members with expertise in the latest biomedical research, GSBS offers exciting and innovative PhD, masters and MD/PhD programs. The incoming Director will be responsible for overall admissions including the processing of applications, student visitation, the interview selection process, and new student orientation and other related activities.  Additionally, the Director will provide high-level support to the admissions committee, oversee records data management as well as supervise GSBS’ various student organizations. 

The director will report to the Associate Dean of Graduate Education and will be an essential member of this team. While guiding the activities of two (2) direct reports, the Director will need to be able to execute and organize activities and policies and maintain an awareness of the unique protocols for both MD Anderson and UT Health Houston. The ideal candidate will be experienced in the field of biomedical sciences and admissions within this field and have experience with student information and/or application systems.

GSBS is dedicated to the highest level of education and research. Our faculty, classrooms, and laboratories equip the researchers of tomorrow with the education and training to turn discovery into life-saving solutions.  The partnership creating GSBS combines research from the top hospital fighting against cancer and a medical university studying major diseases that impact human health and quality of life. Under the tutelage of leading scientists, students study some of the most significant areas in biomedical science, including genetics, immunology, stem cells, neuroscience and cancer. Research expenditures of GSBS faculty totaled over $476 million, and combined, UTHealth Houston and MD Anderson, ranked 25th amongst NIH research funded institutions.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1.  Directs activities related to admissions, which includes the interview process, admissions applications process, admissions committee, records management, new student enrollment, and recruitment efforts.
2.  Assures adherence to policy in the handling of academic and disciplinary procedures; assures student notification of academic policy/procedures; ensures that the Registrar’s Office and Student Financial Services are notified of student status changes; oversees student data reporting.
3.  Serve as a resource to faculty and students regarding student policies and procedures, curriculum requirements, and options available to students who are experiencing academic difficulty or need to revise their degree plans.  
4.  May oversee the processing of licensures and certifications applications.
5.  May oversee the certification and verification of the education process.
6.  Provides direction and oversight of student orientation, graduation services, and other special events.
7.  Coordinates and participates in the Student Evaluation and Promotions Committee meetings.
8.  Liaison with the student government and student organizations to facilitate events sponsored by student organizations ensuring that university policies and procedures are met.
9.  May serve as liaison with the Office of Student Financial Services; oversees the scholarship process and awarding of scholarships.
10.  Oversees and manages purchasing activities as well as revenue and expenses; oversees major operating accounts as well as scholarship accounts.
11.  Collaborates with various internal departments and external organizations to provide, update, and maintain data and verify student and alumni status; provides former student status letters and documents as requested for licensing agencies and other entities; serves as custodian of student records and ensures that privacy and other guidelines are met.
12.  Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning. 
13.  Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
14.  All other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Strong project management skills, interpersonal and problem solving skills. Good working knowledge of management information systems, word processing, database and spreadsheet applications required.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in lieu of education.

Minimum Experience:

Five (5) years of related experience in academic affairs and/or Registrar/Admissions functions. Must have five years of supervisory experience, which can be included in the experience stated above.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.