SMSP Coordinator, Administration - SMSP & SA

Position Summary

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply. 

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a SMSP Coordinator, Administration reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost, SMBZ Community Programs & Emirati Pathway Programs.

The Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars Program offers a select cohort of talented university students unique access to specially designed courses, lectures, leadership experiences, networking, and assistance with applying for graduate school opportunities and scholarships. It accepts scholars from among the most outstanding students at the national UAE universities: the Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arab Emirates University, and Zayed University. The Scholars Program has been developed in close consultation with the Abu Dhabi Education Council, national extant universities and colleges in the UAE, and New York University Abu Dhabi. The Program Goals include:

• Academic and Leadership Development
  • To offer an unparalleled and rigorous educational, cross-cultural, and leadership-development experience to outstanding and gifted university students in their third or fourth years of college study in the UAE.
• Network and Enrichment Opportunities
  • To provide access to NYUAD’s global research, educational, and leadership network, to foster greater awareness of international issues and challenges, and to develop in these Scholars the capacity to shape the future.
• Graduate Education Advising
  • To counsel and help prepare exceptional candidates demonstrating the highest merit and motivation for graduate and professional study at institutions of their choice.

The NYUAD Summer Academy is an 18-month program designed to enhance the academic profiles of highly motivated Emirati high school students. Following a competitive admissions process, up to 36 program participants are selected as recipients of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarships for Outstanding High School Students, which enables them to attend the Summer Academy. In this mixed-gender program, students are exposed to a rich cultural and rigorous academic program which enhances their ability to gain admission to and perform well at top-tier English-language universities. The program begins during the summer following the 10th year of high school and continues for the following 18 months, with two intensive summer courses of study in Abu Dhabi and possible international travel to New York, or regional travel. In addition, students participate in online study and academic refresher weekends during the academic year. The program goals include:

• University Preparation
  • Instill in students the intellectual resources and skills necessary for success at top-tier, English-language universities through the 18-month curriculum
• Liberal Arts Education
  • Introduce students to the study of the humanities and to the value of a liberal arts education
• Cultural Awareness
  • Develop students' understanding of the cultural norms of Western universities
• Test Preparation
  • Prepare students to excel on the standardized tests necessary for university entry

NYUAD PhD Pathways A first of its kind in the UAE, NYUAD’s PhD Pathways Program aims to address the challenge of underrepresentation of Emirati PhDs and professors in higher education, through enhanced and early access to research experience, mentorship, skill acquisition, exploration of research careers, and graduate school preparation.

The SMSP Coordinator, Administration will be responsible for coordination across these high-level community outreach programs. This individual will have the unique opportunity to work with a dynamic team to identify and execute areas for improved academic and organizational effectiveness across both programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Academic Operations

• Lead registration and enrollment of all SMSP, SA, and YFMW students
• Update SMSP,SA, and NYUAD PhD Pathways high level class schedules
• Create Brightspace course sites for all SMSP and SA courses
• Coordinate and collect midterm and final grades for all SMSP and SA courses; submit final grades to Registrar and finalize transcripts
• Coordinate and collect midterm and final feedback for all SMSP and SA courses
• Design and deliver course evaluations for all SMSP and SA courses

Administrative Operations

• Coordinate classroom bookings and Zoom links (as appropriate) for all SMSP, SA, and PhD Pathways programs
• Facilitate any classroom set-up requests (such as seating arrangements or videography) for all above programs
• Manage all A/V and IT requests or issues for all above programs faculty and students
• Support the SMSP, SA, YFMW, and NYUAD PhD Pathway Recruitment, Nominations, and Selections Process as needed
• Support other program events as needed
• Support the programs logistica needs
• For the SMSP, support with and actively participate in programming for the international trip, including but not limited to supervising students during travel
• Support with and participate in programming for extra and co-curricular activities for all programs above

Student Communication

• Send out class and other reminders to SMSP,SA, and PhD Pathways
• Track attendance and submissions for all SMSP,SA, and PhD Pathways
• Coordinate the SMSP and SA academic probation process

Design and Media Facilitation

• Collaborate with other team members and Program Coordinators
• Designing and developing promotional materials, including flyers, brochures, and digital content for social media platforms, in alignment with NYUAD branding guidelines
• Creating, scheduling, and publishing engaging content on official social media channels to promote program activities, events, and achievements
• Maintaining organized records and archives of all media and communication materials, including digital assets, photos, videos, and printed publications
• Supporting the development and design of annual programs yearbooks, including coordination of written content, photography, layout, and production timelines
• Gathering and curating content for storytelling initiatives that highlight student achievements, alumni success, and program milestones
• Collaborating with the Communications team, faculty, and students to ensure accuracy and consistency of public-facing materials

Other duties as requested by the Senior Director

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Student Affairs, or a related discipline

Required Experience:

• Two or more years prior higher education student affairs experience
• The ability to work with students from local high schools and the three federal universities in the UAE
• High level of organizational/time management skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English as well as outstanding interpersonal skills with diverse cultures and populations
• A high level of professionalism and attention to detail
• Enthusiasm and an energetic desire to carry out the mission the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Community Programs
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills
• Excellent judgment, tact, diplomacy, discretion and the ability to maintain confidences
• The ability to be creative and flexible in response to fast-changing and complex work situations
• Excellent proficiency with MS Office and Google Suite of Tools
• Flexibility with scheduling to allow for work on weekends and evenings, as necessary
• Experience in developing and executing operational plans, timelines, and budgets
• Strong project management skills with a focus on achieving goals under tight deadlinesKnowledge of recruitment strategies, application processes, and selection methodologies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build relationships with diverse groups, including students, academic staff, and external partners
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address challenges effectively
• Ability to make data-driven decisions to improve program performance
• Understanding of cross-cultural communication and sensitivity, especially in international or diverse educational settings

Preferred Education:

• Master's Degree in Education, Student Affairs, or related discipline

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with in person and online modes of instruction
• Familiarity with Emirati education and culture
• Experience teaching and supporting ESL learners, particularly teaching writing skills
• Exceedingly well developed cultural sensitivity

Additional Information

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities.