Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for program coordinators in the United States
Program coordinator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected program coordinator job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for program coordinators are projected over the next decade.
Program coordinator salaries have increased 13% for program coordinators in the last 5 years.
There are over 40,974 program coordinators currently employed in the United States.
There are 102,464 active program coordinator job openings in the US.
The average program coordinator salary is $45,068.
Are program coordinator jobs in demand?
Program coordinator job and salary trends over time
Program coordinator jobs over time
Program coordinator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 40,974 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 40,753 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 41,180 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 41,913 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 41,085 | 0.01% |
Average program coordinator salary over time
Program coordinator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,068 | $21.67 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $43,940 | $21.13 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $42,298 | $20.34 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $41,509 | $19.96 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $39,867 | $19.17 | +3.2% |
Program coordinator jobs by state
Most common states for program coordinators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 290 | 38% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 328 | 34% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 235 | 34% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 223 | 26% |
| 5 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 739 | 25% |
| 6 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 511 | 24% |
| 7 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 698 | 23% |
| 8 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 393 | 23% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 226 | 22% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 288 | 21% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 222 | 21% |
| 12 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 918 | 19% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 957 | 17% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 927 | 17% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 706 | 17% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 322 | 17% |
| 17 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 647 | 16% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 575 | 16% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 481 | 16% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 112 | 15% |
Most common cities for program coordinators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark | 9 | 27% | $36,479 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 13 | 12% | $44,046 |
| 3 | Boston | 39 | 6% | $44,083 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 28 | 6% | $40,650 |
| 5 | Springfield | 7 | 6% | $46,911 |
| 6 | Baltimore | 31 | 5% | $44,385 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 8 | 4% | $38,705 |
| 8 | Lansing | 5 | 4% | $39,482 |
| 9 | Washington | 21 | 3% | $56,147 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | 10 | 3% | $77,377 |
| 11 | Denver | 11 | 2% | $45,419 |
| 12 | Des Moines | 5 | 2% | $47,720 |
| 13 | Chicago | 18 | 1% | $47,958 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 12 | 1% | $36,461 |
| 15 | Sacramento | 7 | 1% | $56,609 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 14 | 0% | $54,302 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 8 | 0% | $45,589 |
| 18 | New York | 5 | 0% | $48,731 |
| 19 | San Diego | 5 | 0% | $53,349 |
Program Coordinator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of program coordinator experts
Plymouth State University
Angelo State University
University of Houston - Downtown
Western Illinois University
Saint Xavier University
University of Massachusetts Boston
Seattle University
Winston-Salem State University
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Houston - Clear Lake
Idaho State University
Winona State University
Beloit College
Connecticut College
Heidelberg University
Brigham Young University
Austin Community College
Wichita State University
Marshall University
Grand Valley State University
Christian Bisson Ed.D.
Professor of Adventure Education Adventure Education Program CoordinatorPlymouth State University
Outdoor Education
What general advice would you give to a Program Coordinator?
Christian Bisson Ed.D.: The normal path for increasing one's salary in the field of outdoor adventure education or recreation, is to quickly accumulate a lot of good field experience, let say 100 weeks of field work within 3 to 4 years, then start seeking promotions within a good organization or send applications to other companies/schools/organizations offering management or administrative leadership positions.
What Program Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christian Bisson Ed.D.: It seems that in the near future, the use of modern technologies for safety and promotion of outdoor experiences. The industry is also aiming at offering experiences to a more diverse population, so being able to offer targeted programs and work with minority groups will be essential.
Jeremy St. John
Associate Professor of Management Information Systems and Department Chair of Accounting, Economics, and FinanceAngelo State University
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Program Coordinator?
Jeremy St. John: Graduates beginning their career tend to lack experience and employers want to see experience. I encourage students to look for internships within their field before graduation. The internship is a chance for students to see if the company is a good fit for them and vice versa. Certainly, one hopes an internship pays well and develops into a full-time job offer, but the reference from the employer might be the most valuable part of an internship. For that reason, students working as interns should strive to demonstrate good work ethic, value, and reliability. Here at Angelo State University's Norris-Vincent College of Business our most recent program, a banking certificate program, has an internship as a required part of the class. We met with the local banks and had them promise to provide 35 ongoing internship positions for students in our banking certificate program. We are considering other ways in which to incorporate internships as a required part of curriculum, that is how important we think it is.
What Program Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jeremy St. John: I think reliability has become one of the most sought-after skills. Showing up on time and having a good work ethic are highly sought after skills. More and more I am hearing from my students that the employers want them to be able to use AI at work. Students able to work with AI are telling me things like "my boss says I am the most productive employee, and it is because I use AI to help me do the work." If the ability to work with AI can make you the most productive employee in the eyes of your employer, that is an important skill to have. Technical skills should continue to be in demand. People-skills, critical thinking, and systems thinking are already in demand and I think they will grow in importance simply because they complement AI.
What will help Program Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Jeremy St. John: One way to maximize your salary is to make yourself more valuable. Businesses have problems, even their opportunities can be seen as problems. Employees are hired to address those problems. If you can gain a reputation as someone who can be relied on to solve whatever problems your employer has, they will continue to turn to you for solutions. The problem solvers tend to be the ones who get promoted. With this in mind, think about the personal characteristics, skills, technical abilities, degrees, and professional certifications that can help you become a valuable problem solver in your chosen industry.
Carolyn Gascoigne
Professor of French and HumanitiesUniversity of Houston - Downtown
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
What general advice would you give to a Program Coordinator?
Carolyn Gascoigne: Nonprofit coordinators are often involved with planning and organizing public outreach activities.
What Program Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Carolyn Gascoigne: Example A: Nonprofit coordinators are often involved with planning and organizing public outreach activities. This is a good profession to enter as international companies are increasingly looking to hire individuals to help them better understand and connect to their international markets. People who enjoy travel and interacting with others, and who are self-starters, tend to enjoy this field. It may be challenging otherwise.
Hoyet Hemphill Ph.D.
IDT Program Coordinator and Graduate Advisor, Instructional Design and TechnologyWestern Illinois University
School of Engineering and Technology
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Hoyet Hemphill Ph.D.: For K12 positions compiled so far in Illinois, Instructional coaches appeared mostly in all the searches. The skills required for this position include having basic computer skills required, familiarity with MS Office Suite or similar, familiarity with online form creation and basic use of cloud-based systems (One Drive, Google Drive, etc.), multilingual abilities and teaching experience, management, and leadership experience required, such as instructional coach, team leader, or school administration, ability to use student data to drive instruction, excellent communication and organization skills, knowledge in educational technology tools and Google Suite. The majority of the duties/responsibilities includes designing and facilitating high-quality science professional development, supporting the implementation of high-quality instructional materials in K-12, providing support for teachers to understand and implement the Next Generation Science Standards, providing classroom support to teachers in effective instructional practices through modeling, coaching, mentoring, and co-teaching. The coach must be able to travel to various school sites, collaborates with administrators, teachers, and with district leaders, help develop the necessary school infrastructure to support effective program implementation through grade-level meetings, peer observations, and vertical team meetings based upon the scheduling in the school. Facilitates planning of lessons and analysis of student work, works collaboratively with other project team members to design, and provide various high-quality professional development experiences for project teachers and administrators, promotes instructional approaches in K-12 science that support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the teaching and learning of science, collaborate well with Classroom Coaches, Academic Coaches, and other Elevate team members, etc.
Laura Laskowski-Ferrell
Assistant Professorial Lecturer and Program CoordinatorSaint Xavier University
Education Department
What skills will help Program Coordinators earn the most?
Laura Laskowski-Ferrell: -Experience leading professional development
-Experience with schedule development
-Teacher Evaluator Training
-Advising Experience
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Laura Laskowski-Ferrell: -Significant background in K12 schools, not solely in higher education
-Background in Educational Leadership
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Laura Laskowski-Ferrell: -Timely Communication
-Program Organization
-Visionary Leadership
-Team Player
What hard/technical skills are most important for Program Coordinators?
Laura Laskowski-Ferrell: -Understanding of school code and federal policies that impact programming
-Background in budgeting
-Understanding of job trends and endorsement growth areas
-Leadership in recruitment efforts
Ellen Birchander
Graduate Program Director and Clinical Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Department of Gerontology
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Ellen Birchander: The field of aging is very different than other disciplines. It encompasses all aspects of life for an older adult; healthcare, transportation, entertainment, consumerism, marketing, technology, social work, housing, insurance, nutrition, etc. This affords many opportunities for individuals who are passionate about working with older adults and their families. There are many entry-level options and lots of room for growth.
There are several characteristics that are advantageous. The most important characteristic is a love/ passion for working with an aging population. In addition, it helps to be curious and a quick learner, and to be patient.
Skills in the field transcend many disciplines. It is very important to have excellent interpersonal and listening skills. This is essential not only for direct service work but to continue to learn about a dynamic field that is constantly changing as people and environments change. Next, organizational skills are essential for negotiating the many intricate responsibilities that encompass an individual's life. Management skills allow individuals to move within a changing field. An understanding of health and wellness, social aspects of aging, and psychology are also very useful skill sets to have. No one lives in a vacuum, so understanding family dynamics is very useful.
In today's world, every profession requires some degree of proficiency with technology. The field of aging is no different. Attention to detail, analytical skills, and professionalism are key elements to success in the field.
As individuals gain experience and hone skills, the opportunities to develop policy and programs, direct home and community-based services, direct residential long-term care services, work in other fields such as finance, housing, entertainment as experts in aging increases.
Working as a gerontologist allows you to impact other people's lives with the goal of promoting autonomy, independence, and continued quality of life. There is little that is so fulfilling as making a difference.
Dr. Rashmi Chordiya Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSeattle University
Institute of Public Service
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Dr. Rashmi Chordiya Ph.D.: The skills that stand out on Social Service Coordinator resumes are the soft/essential skills for managing relationships with clients and communities they serve. These include awareness of own and other's feeling and emotional needs, empathy- which is capacity and skill to see, hear, and understand the client's and communities needs and point of view, compassion which is ability and capacity to see other's pain and suffering and desire to alleviate it, and clear communication skills which includes the ability to speak and listen mindfully with loving-kindness. Social Service Coordinator skills are often high-level care and emotional work skills.
In addition, other skills that stand out include- technical skills to work with current technologies, to search effectively in search engines and distill social services information relevant to the clients, ability to discern and appropriately support clients in navigating social services, and ability to function with calm in time-sensitive situations.
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Dr. Rashmi Chordiya Ph.D.: Empathy, cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, ability to practice calm and loving-kindness with clients.
Dr. Cecil Holland Ph.D.
Professor of Nursing, Associate Dean & COO of Nursing, Assistant Dean for Admission, Student Affairs & Program EffectivenessWinston-Salem State University
Division of Nursing
What hard/technical skills are most important for Program Coordinators?
Dr. Cecil Holland Ph.D.: Some of the hard and or technical skills that are necessary for a program coordinator are proficiency with computer technology, learning management systems, communication, project management, data analysis. Being competent in the various computer technologies and platforms is critical to effectively and efficiently manage and/or coordinate a nursing program. All forms of communication are important, including but not limited to technical writing, editing, translations, reporting, etc. Popular data analytics skills may include database management, translation of data, web analytics, and dissemination of data.
What skills will help Program Coordinators earn the most?
Dr. Cecil Holland Ph.D.: I believe a combination of hard and soft skills, coupled with program knowledge and leadership acumen, will position one to be successful and marketable as a nursing program coordinator.
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Dr. Cecil Holland Ph.D.: I think both hard and soft skills are important and are sought out when looking at a nursing program coordinator's resume. At this juncture, they should have possessed or demonstrated clinical skills. The role of a program coordinator requires a different set of skills.
Dr. Margaret Scott Ph.D.
Senior Instructor, University SupervisorUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs
Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Dr. Margaret Scott Ph.D.: Some of the items I would expect to be included are experience designing and facilitating professional learning for educators, experience with leadership of others within the school, knowledge and facilitation of work with academic standards and assessment, and experience working with and providing feedback to colleagues.
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Dr. Margaret Scott Ph.D.: The instructional coach needs to have great people skills. Building trust and two-way respect are essential to a successful working relationship between the coach and educator. Also key is effective communication skills. The instructional coach must be a great listener, convey ideas clearly, and be willing to engage in conversations about instruction with the educators they support. They must also be able to craft good questions that provoke thought and reflection to help the educators they support become introspective. They need to be learners, constantly seeking out new ideas, research, and practices that we know to be effective with both students and adult learners. Effective instructional coaches also see themselves as partners with the educators they support.
What skills will help Program Coordinators earn the most?
Dr. Margaret Scott Ph.D.: In my experience, all of the skills mentioned previously will help them secure a position. Each district approaches the pay scale differently. Often, instructional coaches are paid on the teacher salary schedule but may receive an additional stipend. While the salary may not differ greatly from that of a teacher, it is seen as a beneficial experience to bridge the move from teaching to building leadership.
Antonio Corrales
Doctoral Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Educational LeadershipUniversity of Houston - Clear Lake
College of Education
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Antonio Corrales: It is critical to show for how long one has served as a student advisor in one way or another. Also, it is important to show how many students one has advised, which academic programs, what degree plans, and the level of success within that advising.
Daniel Kim Ph.D.
Portneuf Medical Center Endowed MHA Program Director, Assistant Professor of Health Care AdministrationIdaho State University
Health Care Administration Program
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Daniel Kim Ph.D.: I believe having actual work experience as a health sciences program coordinator will probably be the most valuable skill that helps a student stand out. It doesn't necessarily have to be a full-time job, but having an internship position and being able to showcase what you were able to learn from that experience will go a long way.
What skills stand out on Program Coordinator resumes?
Steven Baule: The key focus for any educational leader must be the ability to improve learner outcomes. This can be measured in a wide range of ways, from graduation rates, test scores, improved attendance rates, etc. A second important consideration for an educational leader is the ability to manage professional development and mentor the educators under their charge. Given today's mixture of remote and traditional learning, experience in engaging online students will be sought after. Experience in leading or working in diverse settings will also be highly desirable.
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Steven Baule: Communications skills are essential for all leaders regardless of industry. Educational leaders have to be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders ranging from students through parents to staff and community leaders. Skills and experience in managing student behaviors are often one of the most sought-after sets of soft skills, and aspiring educational leaders will nearly always be queried on their experiences on this front during interviews.
Jingjing Lou Ph.D.
Chair and Associate ProfessorBeloit College
Department of Education & Youth Studies
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Jingjing Lou Ph.D.: 1) Productive Collaboration
2) Effective Communication
3) Creative Problem Solving
4) Intellectual and Professional Agility
What hard/technical skills are most important for Program Coordinators?
Jingjing Lou Ph.D.: To go along with these soft skills, our students master hard skills such as communications (writings and presentations), quantitative thinking (a requirement for all requirements), and intercultural literacy (understanding and working with people from different contexts).
What skills will help Program Coordinators earn the most?
Jingjing Lou Ph.D.: As our students received interdisciplinary education in addition to their education major, they often have very unique perspectives when examining issues in their work and can come up with creative and innovative solutions to problems. The soft skills and hard skills listed above are essential for our students' long-term career development when they grow into senior teachers, policymakers, school psychologists/counselors, social workers, and even in technology such as working for Facebook.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Julia Kushigian Ph.D.: The exciting trends for students graduating in Hispanic Studies and for those already in the job market are the potential benefits of a remote learning anticipated years ago through pedagogical tools designed by those in language, literature and culture. The interactive formulas, ability to engage participants and broaden the definition of language learning to include cultural studies of a variety of professional fields were already in the works and Covid was the impetus to move even faster. We know from a variety of studies, including a major report by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages, for example, that 9 out of 10 U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills other than English. Spanish being in high demand is the most sought after language. Of course, beyond the more obvious benefits of being bilingual ("Why Bilinguals are Smarter" NYT 2012) are the less obvious of being adept at solving certain mental problems, thriving in ambiguity, flexibility with unknowns and the potential to stave off dementia later in life.
How have salaries changed over time for Program Coordinators?
Julia Kushigian Ph.D.: As demand has increased, salaries have risen tremendously to try and keep pace. In fields like education, business, health care, government, social services, service related employment, law, etc., salaries have improved year over year to stay competitive.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Coordinators?
Julia Kushigian Ph.D.: A 4-year degree with a major in Hispanic Studies, a certificate from an International Studies Center (at Connecticut College the Center for International Studies in the Liberal Arts with an ACTFL ranking of Advanced, a local or global internship in the foreign language and/or foreign culture, nationally recognized ACTFL cerntification, translation licensing.
Paige Atterholt
Adjunct ProfessorHeidelberg University
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Coordinators?
Paige Atterholt: I think now, being in year 2 of the pandemic, I think if anything there will be more jobs for graduates. Just looking through the jobs online, there are many opportunities for graduates to get a job. I think the older community retired when things got bad, which opened the door for the younger generation.
What's a good job out of college for Program Coordinators?
Paige Atterholt: A good job out of college is a job that you feel passionate about because I believe your happiness comes first. Being in the world of education, a good job in my eyes is a job that you enjoy going to every day, want to make an impact, and enjoy the time you have with your students.
What will help Program Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Paige Atterholt: There are many ways a teacher can increase their earning potential. This can be done through continuing education, maybe looking at a Masters or more to move up on the pay scale. Teachers can advise student council, tutoring, or even look at coaching to earn more money. There's vast opportunities in the world of education! Schools always need teachers who are well-rounded.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Coordinator job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Stephen Duncan Ph.D.: The major trend is working from home, utilizing internet technologies more and more. The definition of "workplace" has expanded to include anytime, anywhere.
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Dr. Stephen Duncan Ph.D.: Graduates should know how to get along collaboratively, having strong interpersonal skills, empathy for others' circumstances. In the School of Family Life, we not only stress thinking, writing, and numeracy skills and data organization, but interpersonal skills of clear speaking and listening, engaging with others, and working collaboratively on a team.
How have salaries changed over time for Program Coordinators?
Dr. Stephen Duncan Ph.D.: The human sciences continue to be at the lower salary ranges of professional positions. Never will they rival our friends in engineering and other technical fields. Starting salaries at the bachelor's level are similar to elementary and secondary school teachers, and have followed their pattern over a number of years.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Coordinators?
Stuart Greenfield Ph.D.: According to the National Student Clearinghouse estimates for Fall 2018-Fall 2020, Nscresearchcenter, enrollment inf post-secondary institutions declined by 703.9K. Of this decline, 621.4K (88.3%) were attributed to Public 2-year institutions.
What soft skills should all Program Coordinators possess?
Stuart Greenfield Ph.D.: Given the changing demographics that the country has experienced, the entire education continuum must change. According to the Brookings Institution, Brookings, the non-Hispanic White population in the under 18 cohort since 2000 has declined.
As you'll note from the occupations that are projected to increase the greatest, most require face-to-face contact, so that soft-skills will be necessary. I would also expect that critical thinking skills will be needed as more responsibility will be required of front-line workers.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Coordinators?
Stuart Greenfield Ph.D.: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupation Outlook, half the twenty fastest jobs, BLS, require only a high school diploma. The three fastest-growing jobs, Care Aides, Fast-food workers, and Cooks, only require a high school diploma.
The health care sector has been and will continue to be the fastest-growing sector in the economy. Many of these occupations require certifications. The health care sector's growth should provide community colleges an area for growth as they can provide health care training at an affordable cost.
The Philadelphia Fed has a tool, Philadelphiafed, that shows what training/skills are required for job seekers to improve their earnings.
Sonja Armbruster
Health Sciences EducatorWichita State University
Department of Public Health Sciences
What's a day at work look like for a Program Coordinator?
Sonja Armbruster: The pandemic has re-defined what it even means to have a "day at work". I'm writing this response from my home office. Work in public health jobs can involve so many kinds of roles and responsibilities. The only thing I can guarantee is that the successful person seeking a career in public will be constantly curious and constantly learning. There are many public health jobs that are clearly defined with a set of protocols and software and office time that is scripted. Many more public health jobs require learning something new about community members, community partners, the system (including the department/organization one works for), the latest science and political realities that enable and constrain public health work. A day at work will involve continuously learning and seeking to understand new connections.
What technical skills for a Program Coordinator stand out to employers?
Sonja Armbruster: The technology of this moment may change in the next moment. The capacity to quickly learn new systems and processes is a critical skill. In large-part, this requires a willingness to say yes, and perhaps a willingness to make mistakes and try again. Successful new-graduates are coachable. None of us is as smart as all of us. New grads need to seek coaching and feedback from others. Older co-workers may have wisdom to share, or they may be missing a perspective or skill needed - and either way, new grads can learn so much by watching and paying attention. One of the most valuable skills one can hone is the approach to the work. New responsibilities are an opportunity to grow in the job, not a burden. While you likely won't see this on a normal "technical skills" list, stand-out employees have a healthy willingness to "go-figure-it-out" and then consult with one's supervisor or team rather than waiting to be told what to do or having a narrowly defined "job-jar". GFIO.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Coordinators?
Sonja Armbruster: Absolutely. For most of my 20-year career in public health, my colleagues and I have been frustrated by the fact that most people have no idea what public health is. At least now, most people have some understanding of some aspects of the field of public health. Particularly, people see that policy development, assessing community needs, community engagement and addressing equity are all core responsibilities of this field. After 9/11/2001 and the anthrax events, new preparedness dollars flowed into public health, and over times those funding streams slowly eroded again. Over the next few years, it is reasonable to expect increased funding to support public health. This article from The Nation's Health would be a good resource to learn more: www.thenationshealth.org
Dr. E.Del Chrol
Chair of Humanities, Professor of ClassicsMarshall University
Humanities Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Coordinators?
Dr. E.Del Chrol: I have three big fears about potential impacts of the pandemic on grads, and one hopeful one. I'm a believer in the old saying that goes the true judge of one's character is what one does when nobody is watching. Since students aren't under the same scrutiny as they would in a class of students, I am worried about the reward system some may have developed. So, first, if a student cheated on exams because they took it by themselves, not only does that undermine their education but may encourage cheating to get ahead. Second, it's easy to lose focus in a Zoom or Teams meeting or class. I myself more often than I should check my phone when I should be listening to some administrator or other delivering projections. Attention and focus is a skill, and when there's no obvious penalty to checking Insta during a proof, the ability to do deep and rewarding work with true focus is further diminished. Third, I'm concerned that the pandemic is reinforcing the digital divide. A student who has to share a space or a computer or bandwidth is going to have a harder time performing as well as someone who doesn't. The one thing I hope will come out of this is more people able to do their work in a space and a time of their choosing, and that folks won't be compelled to go sit under fluorescent lights in a cubicle 5 days a week. Learning to work creatively and independently is a skill and one that is sometimes ground out of our students by 19th century work-spaces. Fingers crossed we can develop flexibility thanks to the necessity.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Program Coordinators?
Dr. E.Del Chrol: The courses that are most useful for employers are those that encourage writing, especially when it requires the student to conceive of and execute a large, complex project. If your major has a capstone project or Senior thesis option (and not just examination), take it. Secondarily, upper division courses that draw connections between the classical world and today are vital, especially with professors who aren't stupid. It's easy to say "Today is just like the fall of Rome!", you hear that all the time. But which fall of Rome? The one that created the long-enduring empire in 27 BCE? Or the final death in the West in 476CE (which doesn't include the Eastern empire in Constantinople)? Being able to recognize patterns as well as specificity of a historical moment is of vital importance to navigating our fraught times. That level of cultural awareness is infinitely adaptable to work that one does at a job, even a complex one. Finally, courses that tackle rhetoric are key, since, as Aristotle says, politics is the queen of disciplines. Everything is politics, and being able to navigate that is key.
What's a good job out of college for Program Coordinators?
Sherie Williams: Even in this new world of virtual contact, teaching is an important profession that still allows new graduates to impact the future.