Program Coordinator for the Analytics Minor for the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies

About the role

The Program Coordinator for the Analytics Minor for the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies supports data collection, reporting, analysis, and visualization activities that inform academic, administrative, operational, and strategic decision-making within a higher education environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise students who are declared in or interested in the Data Science and Analytics minor, ensuring they understand registration deadlines, minor requirements, course sequencing, and program expectations throughout the process.
• Meet individually with students on a regular basis to review academic progress, support planning, and provide guidance related to the minor and related career pathways.
• Hold career advising appointments with students and help connect their academic interests, data skills, and program participation to future educational and professional opportunities.
• Promote minor elective classes to staff and faculty and serve as a primary liaison among students, faculty, staff, and the College advising office.
• Administer student progress tracking processes, including internal audits, student worksheets, advising records, and other program-related documentation.
• Cook up with the College on minor requirements and become proficient with relevant advising and student information systems, including Advising@Penn and other proprietary university platforms.
• Work with the PORES Data Science Director and Assistant Director to streamline course offerings, tutoring access, and Help(R)s student support resources.
• Communicate with faculty and staff to ensure core competency and elective courses are offered on a consistent basis so students can fulfill minor requirements in a timely manner.
• Collect, clean, validate, and analyze data for original research and program evaluation, working closely with faculty, staff, and undergraduate student fellows in the PORES program on research projects aligned with program goals.
• Design survey instruments and, when appropriate, develop and implement experimental approaches to support research, assessment, and decision-making.
• Analyze datasets using tools such as R, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms, and synthesize findings into written reports, presentations, dashboards, and data summaries.
• Maintain data accuracy, consistency, and integrity through routine audits, documentation, quality checks, and clear reporting procedures.
• Plan and coordinate public events, including identifying event formats, securing speakers, managing logistics, and supporting internal and external program activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the minor’s participation in College and University-wide events, including New Student Orientation, majors and minors fairs, and other student engagement opportunities.
• Develop and implement communication strategies for the minor, including website updates, formal announcements, newsletters, and other communications for current and prospective students.
• Continuously monitor declared minors across schools and other program metrics to evaluate outreach, student engagement, course demand, and overall program effectiveness.
• Identify areas for improvement, recommend practical changes, and help implement updates that strengthen program operations, student support, and strategic outcomes.
• Protect confidential and sensitive student and institutional information in accordance with university policies, FERPA, data governance standards, and applicable privacy requirements.

  Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
  • Working knowledge of data analysis concepts, basic statistics, and data quality practices.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, sorting, filtering, and basic data visualization.
  • Ability to organize and interpret quantitative and qualitative information with accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain data findings to non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively.
  • Commitment to confidentiality, ethical data use, and responsible stewardship of institutional information.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with SQL, Python, R, SAS, or another data analysis or programming tool through coursework, internship, project work, or employment.
  • Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, Microsoft Access, Qualtrics, or similar reporting and visualization platforms.
  • Experience working with higher education, nonprofit, government, research, or administrative data.
  • Knowledge of student information systems, learning management systems, human resources systems, financial systems, or other enterprise data systems.
  • Understanding of institutional research, assessment, accreditation, enrollment management, student success, or academic program reporting.