APARC Student Lead-ASPIRE Program Coordinator 2024-2025

Job Title:  APARC Student Lead - ASPIRE Program Coordinator

Location:   Asian Pacific American Resource Center, Appleby 311, East Bank Campus

Hours:   Approximately 10-12 hours/week (academic year)

Required Qualifications:

  • Must be enrolled as a full time undergraduate student for Fall 2024
  • Commitment to year-long employment for the position (Fall 2024 through Spring 2025)
  • Ability to manage group dynamics and facilitate dialogues
  • Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship building skills
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently
  • Possess a strong understanding of issues regarding social justice, intersectionality, oppression, and inequity

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prefer an upper level (2nd year or higher) undergraduate student
  • Hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.70 and in good academic standing
  • Experience serving in AAPI leadership positions and working with AAPI students
  • Experience in educational, cultural, and identity based event planning
  • Passionate about empowering future generations of AAPI students

About the Job

The ASPIRE Program Coordinator will assist professional staff in the management, implementation, and coordination of the Asian American Pacific Islander Students Promoting Inspiration, Resilience, and Empowerment (ASPIRE) Peer Mentoring Program. The ASPIRE program is designed to assist first year, second year, and newly transferred AAPI students in acclimating to campus, increasing academic success, developing leadership and professional skills, and cultivating a sense of community. ASPIRE Program Coordinator will be tasked with organizing educational events related to personal, academic, and professional development of new students, with a special attention to dimensions of race, ethnicity, and culture of AAPI identities and experiences. ASPIRE Program Coordinator assists with the training of peer mentors on important skills and knowledge relevant to mentorship of AAPI student mentees. In addition, ASPIRE Program Coordinator will assist with the facilitation of the LEADS initiative, which is an extended leadership development opportunity Mentors participate in. ASPIRE Program Coordinator are expected to maintain consistent weekly office hours in APARC, staff the front desk, and support the daily operations of the resource center.

The position will begin in-person work in September to finalize and lead mentor training. ASPIRE Program Coordinators must be available in-person during academic semesters to staff the front desk during APARC hours of operations - which will be a shared schedule with APARC staff and other student leads. Team meetings and ongoing training will be scheduled after hiring. Open to coordinating staffing schedules to meet specific needs and accommodations. Ability to maintain an assigned staffing schedule is essential. The position will require some evening and weekend hours pending scheduling of program activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Program and Event Planning
    • Organize monthly workshops, presentations, and/or dialogues based on AAPI identity, history, and culture
    • Plan regular social and community building events for mentors/mentees
    • Organize logistics, workshops, and activities for a Fall kickoff and Winter Retreat
    • Facilitate dialogues and manage group dynamics
    • Assist with recruitment and selection of mentors and mentees
    • Assist in organizing mentor-mentee pairings and families

  • Leadership, Training, and Support
    • Develop and facilitate trainings for mentors
    • Demonstrate professionalism and provide leadership for mentors and mentees
    • Connect mentors and mentees with on-campus and off-campus student involvement opportunities
    • Conduct 1-on-1 meetings with assigned mentors on semester basis
    • Serve as a social and professional resource for mentors and mentees
    • Assist in curriculum development and facilitation for the LEADS initiative
    • Model positive and inclusive behavior 
    • Familiarize mentors and mentees with support resources (academic, financial, career), buildings/facilities, and campus culture
    • Maintain consistent weekly communication with mentors (email, social media, text, etc.)
    • Attend weekly ASPIRE Program Coordinator team meetings
    • Meet 1-on-1 biweekly with Associate Director of APARC

  • APARC Operations (essential to in-person responsibilities and must be available for in-person hours)
    • Staff front desk and maintain weekly ASPIRE office hours at APARC
    • Cultivate a friendly, welcoming, and safe environment for students at APARC
    • Maintain cleanliness and organization of APARC spaces
    • Actively attend and engage in all trainings, retreats, and meetings associated with the Asian Pacific American Resource Center
    • Assist the APARC staff in signature APARC programs and events
    • Serve as a representative of APARC to other university departments, student organizations, and off campus organizations
    • Assist in additional duties as assigned

Application

Pay will commensurate with experiences and skills related to the position. Priority deadline is May 5th, 2024. Applications received after the priority deadline are not guaranteed consideration. Anticipated start date is September 3rd, 2024. Anticipated end date is May 7th, 2025 with potential option for rehire.

To apply, please submit your resume, unofficial transcript, and a 1 page cover letter addressing the following questions:

  1. Why are you interested in the position and what experiences, skills, identities, and knowledge will you bring to the position? 

  1. What do you believe are the challenges and struggles that AAPI students face?

  1. As a Student Lead, how would you help empower AAPI students to overcome those challenges?

About the Department

The Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC) is committed to ensuring AAPI students thrive in their academic journey, affirming AAPI student identity and experiences, and engaging the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to better support AAPI students.  APARC is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant for Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI). APARC provides AAPI students with culturally relevant programs for academic success and personal development.

Learn more about APARC and the ASPIRE Peer Mentoring Program by visiting aparc.umn.edu. Follow APARC at instagram.com/aparc.umn and facebook.com/aparc.umn.

Please contact Tev Lee, Associate Director of APARC, at [email protected] with any questions.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.