03/06/2023
By Julie Nash

The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs seeks a Faculty Director to create and oversee a new program to support transfer students, the Transfer Alliance Program.

The Transfer Alliance Program is designed to ensure students experience a smooth transition to the university. At its core is a “Peer Ally” program in which successful current transfer students are matched with a group of approximately 10 new transfer students to assist during the first-semester adjustment period.

Reporting directly to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the director will have primary oversight of, and be responsible for, all aspects of TAP, with assistance from a part-time coordinator. The ideal candidate will be a highly collaborative individual and will work closely with the college deans’ offices, the Centers for Learning, Career Services, and the offices of Student Affairs and Student Services. Applicants should have demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

Other responsibilities include the following:

  • Chair a committee of faculty to oversee initiatives in each college
  • Work with the Centers for Learning to create and support programming for the academic success of transfer students
  • Work with Career Services to develop career-connected programming for TAP students
  • Liaise with community colleges for recruitment of new transfers
  • Create a community of supported, engaged learners
  • Help recruit, train and support Peer Allies
  • Work with the Director of Assessment and Accreditation and the Office of DAIR (Data, Analytics, and Institutional Research) to assess the success of the program using qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Work with the Office of Admissions to recruit students to the program

This 12-month position is open to all faculty, although assistant professors (teaching or tenure-track) will need a statement of support by their dean if they reach the finalist stage (to ensure that taking on this responsibility does not interfere with promotion). The position comes with an annual stipend of $10,000 (including summer work). This program is grant-funded for three academic years with the possibility of continued university support after that time.

Interested faculty should contact Julie Nash, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, with a letter of interest (of no more than 500 words) that addresses the following questions:

  • Why are you interested in this position and what unique qualifications can you bring to the program?
  • Do you have relevant administrative or leadership experience?
  • What experience do you have working with transfer students?
  • How have you collaborated successfully with other departments, programs, or offices on campus?

Please respond with questions or letters of interest by March 17.

Here is some more information about the program:

Transfer Alliance Program

Approximately half of UMass Lowell’s undergraduate students transfer to the university from another institution. The first semester on campus can be an adjustment as students get to know a new environment. The Transfer Alliance Program will help minimize this adjustment period to give students a strong start to their River Hawk experience.

The Transfer Alliance Program will introduce new transfer students to campus academics and culture by creating a comprehensive initiation to campus life. The semester-long program will connect new transfer students with peer allies, and provide support and information about networking opportunities, getting involved, finding financial resources, career opportunities, etc.

Leading a team of faculty members, and supported by a staff coordinator, the program matches cohorts of approximately 10 new transfer students with a current transfer student “ally” who has already been successful at the University. During the new student’s first semester, the Ally will provide personal outreach and assistance, while the program will help support transfer success in other ways by introducing students to academic supports, success workshops, faculty and alumni networking opportunities, and more.

Other benefits of participation in TAP:

  • College-based faculty networking and support
  • Personalized career guidance from day one
  • Opportunities for paid campus leadership roles