Graduate Program Contacts

Graduate programs may have both faculty and staff contacts who support program administration and student success. The following definitions describe the primary responsibilities of Graduate Program Coordinators and Graduate Program Administrators.

The Graduate Program Coordinator is the program’s primary administrator and is appointed by the academic unit responsible for it. The graduate program coordinator must be a full-time employee and a member of the Graduate Faculty. The duties of the graduate program coordinator are jointly defined by the academic unit and the Graduate College. These typically include representing a graduate program in admissions decisions and academic program reviews; applying and enforcing Graduate College policy; reviewing academic appeals; approving graduate curriculum adjustments; appointing major advisors and supervisory committees; and addressing issues related to academic performance. The coordinator may have other responsibilities as described by the program, department, or College. For all programs, the Graduate College recognizes the decisions of the appointed graduate program coordinator as the official representation of the Graduate Faculty for the relevant program, unit, or department.

The Graduate Program Administrator supports the efficient and compliant operation of one or more graduate programs within an academic department, college, or school. Working in close partnership with the faculty Graduate Program Coordinator and under the guidance of the department chair or administrative leadership, the Graduate Program Administrator is responsible for day-to-day program administration, student services coordination, data reporting, and communication with internal and external stakeholders. This staff position plays a vital role in ensuring smooth program operations, compliance with Graduate College policies, and the delivery of high-quality support to prospective and current graduate students.