Education Program Specialist Supervisor, Center for the Performing Arts

Education Program Specialist Supervisor

The Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) at Penn State seeks an Education Program Specialist Supervisor to lead its community engagement, arts education, academic integration, and student workforce development initiatives.

Through collaboration with campus and community partners, this role creates sequenced learning pathways that connect individuals of all ages to CPA programming and deepens the educational impact of the performing arts.

As a key relationship builder and program leader, the Education Program Specialist Supervisor cultivates partnerships with schools, faculty, libraries, senior centers, municipal agencies, and community organizations to expand access and engagement.

The role designs learning experiences that support student success, strengthen community connections, and position CPA as a catalyst for learning, participation, and cultural collaboration.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, municipal partners, and Penn State co-curricular and academic units to expand access to arts learning and engagement opportunities.

• Develop community-responsive learning initiatives that strengthen CPA's role as a campus and community convener and deepen relationships with a variety of audiences.

• Occasional local and regional travel is expected to visit community partners and work events.

• Design and lead CPA's experiential learning and student workforce development programs, creating pathways from entry-level participation to advanced internships, leadership opportunities, and career readiness experiences.

• Collaborate with academic and campus partners to align experiential learning opportunities with academic credit, certificates, and professional development goals.

• Develop and implement academic integration strategies that connect CPA programming with curricula, faculty engagement, internships, and educational outcomes across disciplines.

• Translate artistic programming into meaningful learning experiences for students, educators, and community participants.

• Lead CPA's PreK–12 education strategy, including student matinee programs, arts integration initiatives, and sustained learning pathways for schools and educators.

• Ensure educational programs are aligned with curricular goals, teacher needs, and long-term engagement outcomes.

• Directly supervise the Arts Engagement Coordinator, who has shared responsibilities in Penn State's Office of Student Affairs.

• Provide mentorship, scheduling oversight through workforce scheduling systems (i.e., WhenToWork), performance feedback, and professional development support for student employees.

• Manage departmental budgets, assessment activities, and reporting related to participation, learning outcomes, and community impact.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, and responsive engagement practices.

Important Note: Due to the schedule of events at the CPA, this position requires regular evening hours and occasional weekend work.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Outstanding project management, organizational, and administrative skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives and professional relationships simultaneously

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders

• Demonstrated initiative, attention to detail, reliability, adaptability, and success in completing projects on time while responding to changing priorities

• Experience working with educators or higher education faculty

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and assess programs that connect arts experiences to learning, civic life, wellbeing, or career development

• Experience creating experiential learning, internship, workforce development, or credential-aligned pathways for students

• Experience with program assessment, participation tracking, and reporting on educational or community impact

• Demonstrated commitment to relationship-centered community engagement; inclusive and respectful when working with others

It is also preferred that candidates have one or more of the following qualifications:

• Experience supervising student employees, interns, or program assistants

• Experience developing cross-disciplinary academic integration initiatives within a college or university setting

• Experience with community-based arts programming for a range of audiences, including older adults, families, and lifelong learners

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications:

• If filled as Education Program Specialist - Senior Supervisor, this position requires:

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
  • Required Certifications: None

• If filled as Education Program Specialist - Supervisor, this position requires:

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
  • Required Certifications: None

Important Application Instructions:

Applicants must submit a cover letter addressing their interest and relevant experience, in addition to a resume.

Additional Information:

This position will report to Managing Director of the Center for the Performing Arts.

The Center for the Performing Arts, part of the College of Arts and Architecture, collaborates with artists, scholars, innovators, and community partners to co-create powerful arts and learning experiences.

The College of Arts and Architecture is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact .

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.