University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduation & Commencement Specialist - Office of the Registrar
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Afton, Wisconsin, us, 53501
Graduation & Commencement Specialist - Office of the Registrar
The Graduation and Commencement Specialist provides service to the academic community and the Office of the Registrar by providing outstanding service to our students, the campus community, and the public. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist oversees graduation applications, evaluation of degree completion, communications with students and college degree clearance representatives, maintains degree audits, and related processes. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist analyzes and updates the processes pertaining to this position for efficiencies. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist reviews and certifies students for degree completion. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist assists with commencement ceremony planning regarding student participation processes. This position also assists with student record updates and supervision of the front-line student team. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist works with other Office of the Registrar's staff to ensure excellent service to the University community and by performing other duties as assigned. The individual in this position is a member of the Office of the Registrar team and works cooperatively with other office staff to achieve University and Office of the Registrar's goals. This position reports to the Registrar. Responsibilities: Coordinate and maintain degree clearance process: Collaborating with Commencement and Graduation Coordinator on degree clearance processes. Managing daily operations to ensure a smooth delivery of services. Analyzing and interpreting workflow to assign work and identify training needs. Solving multiple problems related to degree clearance with college partners. Performing and educating college partners in all functions pertaining to degree clearance. Explaining and interpreting the Degree Audit to students, faculty and staff as needed. Monitoring and processing updates to degree requirements on the Degree Audit. Processing specialized clearance requests. Coordinating degree holds with financial services. Informing staff and the campus community of procedural and policy changes. Monitoring and processing degree ordering processes and troubleshooting issues as they arise. Monitoring and processing degree verification requests. Maintaining strong working knowledge of all university policies, and state and federal regulations. Presenting training on university systems and procedures to staff, and faculty. Maintaining an operational manual. Assisting with orientation operations and commencement. Monitor and process graduation applications: Develop and maintain communications to students nearing degree completion. Reviewing all applications for accuracy. Updating students record to reflect graduation application status. Coordinating graduation fee charges with financial services. Reviewing posting of graduation fees and academic honors for accuracy. Evaluating current procedures and policies for efficiencies and develops and implements changes. Playing a lead role in planning and implementing new or updated automated features and applications to the Student Information System. Provide Commencement Support: Attending Commencement Committee meetings. Collaborating with Commencement Event Coordinator with commencement ceremony preparations pertaining to students. Providing leadership during commencement ceremony, including student lineup, tickets and Salute to Grads with the university bookstore. Reviewing commencement program for accuracy Maintaining an operational manual. Support Student Records Processing: Assist with student record updates. Assist with student front-line supervision. Assist with student front-line time entry and approval. Monitor diploma ordering, release, and degree verification processes: Providing quick responses to degree verification inquiries received through the National Student Clearinghouse. Reviewing and sending diploma file to vendor for processing. Coordinating diploma holds with financial services. Support the morale and efficiency of the Office of the Registrar: Attending and participating in staff meetings. Providing excellent service to students, faculty, staff, and all in the University community. Serving on teams and committees as assigned. Working cooperatively and positively with other staff members and with the University community. Attending training and professional development as assigned. Participating in other projects and duties as assigned. Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulation, including necessary training and drills. Key Job Responsibilities:
Ensures correct and timely management of student records, course registration, and degree audits within the student information systems Audits and corrects data to ensure accuracy and completeness Collaborates with students, academic deans, faculty, advisors, and staff to resolve curricular and student record issues Provides direction to students and staff on a variety of academic processes and policies including graduation requirements, academic standing, enrollment, and course change requests Implements, interprets, and enforces instructional, professional, and legal standards and regulations related to student, curricular, and academic records Department:
Office of the Registrar Compensation:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $44,500 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications. UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure. Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and two years customer service or office support function experience. Demonstrated experience managing and working with software applications such as Microsoft Office. Strong interpersonal and written communication skills Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a diverse population of stakeholders Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work independently solving issues and performing liaison activities in a work setting. Ability to organize and manage events. Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to refine processes and procedures. Ability to handle multiple priorities concurrently. Ability interpreting, applying, and explaining complex information such as regulations, policies, or services. Ability to handle confidential information. Ability to research a variety of sources to collect requested information, to provide accurate and timely information, and handle problems courteously. Professional demeanor. Strong knowledge of general office policies and procedures. Supervisory experience. Experience in higher education. Knowledge of PeopleSoft or other large software products. Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills How to Apply: Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents: Cover Letter Resume Name and contact information for three professional references Contact Information:
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu. For questions regarding this position, please contact: Melissa Walton Waltonm@uww.edu 262-472-1385 To Ensure Consideration:
Applications received by August 14, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Campus Information:
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs
online and in person
from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities
a priority mission since the 1970s. UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the
The Graduation and Commencement Specialist provides service to the academic community and the Office of the Registrar by providing outstanding service to our students, the campus community, and the public. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist oversees graduation applications, evaluation of degree completion, communications with students and college degree clearance representatives, maintains degree audits, and related processes. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist analyzes and updates the processes pertaining to this position for efficiencies. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist reviews and certifies students for degree completion. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist assists with commencement ceremony planning regarding student participation processes. This position also assists with student record updates and supervision of the front-line student team. The Graduation and Commencement Specialist works with other Office of the Registrar's staff to ensure excellent service to the University community and by performing other duties as assigned. The individual in this position is a member of the Office of the Registrar team and works cooperatively with other office staff to achieve University and Office of the Registrar's goals. This position reports to the Registrar. Responsibilities: Coordinate and maintain degree clearance process: Collaborating with Commencement and Graduation Coordinator on degree clearance processes. Managing daily operations to ensure a smooth delivery of services. Analyzing and interpreting workflow to assign work and identify training needs. Solving multiple problems related to degree clearance with college partners. Performing and educating college partners in all functions pertaining to degree clearance. Explaining and interpreting the Degree Audit to students, faculty and staff as needed. Monitoring and processing updates to degree requirements on the Degree Audit. Processing specialized clearance requests. Coordinating degree holds with financial services. Informing staff and the campus community of procedural and policy changes. Monitoring and processing degree ordering processes and troubleshooting issues as they arise. Monitoring and processing degree verification requests. Maintaining strong working knowledge of all university policies, and state and federal regulations. Presenting training on university systems and procedures to staff, and faculty. Maintaining an operational manual. Assisting with orientation operations and commencement. Monitor and process graduation applications: Develop and maintain communications to students nearing degree completion. Reviewing all applications for accuracy. Updating students record to reflect graduation application status. Coordinating graduation fee charges with financial services. Reviewing posting of graduation fees and academic honors for accuracy. Evaluating current procedures and policies for efficiencies and develops and implements changes. Playing a lead role in planning and implementing new or updated automated features and applications to the Student Information System. Provide Commencement Support: Attending Commencement Committee meetings. Collaborating with Commencement Event Coordinator with commencement ceremony preparations pertaining to students. Providing leadership during commencement ceremony, including student lineup, tickets and Salute to Grads with the university bookstore. Reviewing commencement program for accuracy Maintaining an operational manual. Support Student Records Processing: Assist with student record updates. Assist with student front-line supervision. Assist with student front-line time entry and approval. Monitor diploma ordering, release, and degree verification processes: Providing quick responses to degree verification inquiries received through the National Student Clearinghouse. Reviewing and sending diploma file to vendor for processing. Coordinating diploma holds with financial services. Support the morale and efficiency of the Office of the Registrar: Attending and participating in staff meetings. Providing excellent service to students, faculty, staff, and all in the University community. Serving on teams and committees as assigned. Working cooperatively and positively with other staff members and with the University community. Attending training and professional development as assigned. Participating in other projects and duties as assigned. Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulation, including necessary training and drills. Key Job Responsibilities:
Ensures correct and timely management of student records, course registration, and degree audits within the student information systems Audits and corrects data to ensure accuracy and completeness Collaborates with students, academic deans, faculty, advisors, and staff to resolve curricular and student record issues Provides direction to students and staff on a variety of academic processes and policies including graduation requirements, academic standing, enrollment, and course change requests Implements, interprets, and enforces instructional, professional, and legal standards and regulations related to student, curricular, and academic records Department:
Office of the Registrar Compensation:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $44,500 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications. UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure. Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and two years customer service or office support function experience. Demonstrated experience managing and working with software applications such as Microsoft Office. Strong interpersonal and written communication skills Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a diverse population of stakeholders Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work independently solving issues and performing liaison activities in a work setting. Ability to organize and manage events. Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to refine processes and procedures. Ability to handle multiple priorities concurrently. Ability interpreting, applying, and explaining complex information such as regulations, policies, or services. Ability to handle confidential information. Ability to research a variety of sources to collect requested information, to provide accurate and timely information, and handle problems courteously. Professional demeanor. Strong knowledge of general office policies and procedures. Supervisory experience. Experience in higher education. Knowledge of PeopleSoft or other large software products. Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills How to Apply: Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents: Cover Letter Resume Name and contact information for three professional references Contact Information:
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu. For questions regarding this position, please contact: Melissa Walton Waltonm@uww.edu 262-472-1385 To Ensure Consideration:
Applications received by August 14, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Campus Information:
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs
online and in person
from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities
a priority mission since the 1970s. UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the