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Full time. Permanent. Student and Campus Support Staff. Student Success Office
- Student Experience. Salary Range: $73,695.42
- $92,119.28.

Primary Purpose

The Specialist, Recent Student Transition (Graduate), is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining integrated programs intended to support a successful transition for new and incoming graduate students into the university. This requires the Specialist to be knowledgeable and up to date on the unique needs of graduate students with special attention and focus on international students and priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically underrepresented groups). The Specialist will work collaboratively and strategically with key internal and external stakeholders and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of graduate transition programs including day to day operations, decision making and program leadership. The Specialist will work closely with the Manager, New Student Transition and New Student Transition (NST) team to ensure programs are well integrated, responsive to the needs of the faculties and campus partners and are achieving desired outcomes. The Specialist may also contribute to the coordination and administration of NST-wide initiatives, processes, and projects, as appropriate.



The Specialist demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism through their leadership, program design and operational practices. The Specialist has three primary areas of focus:

1. Design, implement, assess and maintain graduate student transition programming; ensure initiatives are well-integrated and coordinated into the overall new student transition strategy and contribute to the coordination of NST-wide initiatives and processes as appropriate,
2. Be knowledgeable and up to date on the needs of incoming graduate students, including priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, historically underrepresented groups and international graduate students),
3. Maintain positive working relationships with key campus and faculty partners and graduate students.

Key Accountabilities

Program Development and Administration

Develops, coordinates, and maintains targeted programs and initiatives designed to ensure the successful transition of new graduate students for all three academic terms via virtual, in-person or hybrid offerings. Apply research, best practices, and knowledge of student trends to develop and execute specialized programming for priority graduate student populations, including priority populations (e.g., Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically underrepresented groups) and international graduate students. Leverages resources,



knowledge, and expertise in the SSO to assist in the design of transition programs when appropriate in partnership with the SSO leadership team and campus partners. With the Manager, Recent Student Transition and SSO leadership team, identifies and develops additional supports/initiatives for graduate students throughout their academic career beyond existing transition programming.

- Provides guidance to stakeholders on campus who support new student transition programs/opportunities to create an engaged and inclusive community of University of Waterloo graduate students.
- Contributes to the overall graduating student experience by assisting UWaterloo's convocation team to support fall and spring convocation ceremonies.
- Applies an equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism lens to all program design elements.

Relationship Building

Works closely with both the NST team and International Experience Centre (IEC) to ensure programs and strategies complement one another and, when appropriate, are consistent in delivery and outcomes for all incoming students. Collaborates with campus partners to ensure students are provided with necessary support, resources, and information pertinent to their University of Waterloo experience. Key campus partners include but are not limited to: International Experience Centre, Graduate Student Association, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, Campus Housing, Campus Wellness, AccessAbility Services, Community Relations, and all Faculties and affiliated University Colleges as applicable. Facilitates strong working relationships with SSO colleagues, particularly the NST team, and collaborates on strategies that will support

📌 New Student Transition Specialist, Graduate (London)
🏢 University of Waterloo
📍 London