Description

Position Overview

The University of Kansas is a national leader in language education, offering instruction in over 30 languages through several academic departments and international area studies centers. This position serves as administrative support for language departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, currently (though subject to change) the departments of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC), and French, Francophone, and Italian Studies (FFIT). EALC and FFIT have a combined total of 20 faculty members, 20 graduate students, and 250 undergraduate majors and minors spread across 2 BA degrees and 6 minors. It is a vibrant and friendly community of scholars whose work includes language instruction, literature, and culture.

This position involves specialized and wide-ranging administrative support work and is a critical part of a team that works to further the mission of all language programs in the College. The Administrative Associate must have strong communication, organization, and web design and social media skills.

Job Description

50% Chair & Faculty Support for EALC and FFIT

• Serves as a liaison to faculty for information about deadlines and policies
• Schedules departmental meetings and takes minutes
• Works with chairs and faculty to submit paperwork for annual faculty evaluations, preparing promotion and tenure review, and financial reimbursements
• Updates and maintains course scheduling
• Coordinates correspondence, calendar scheduling, and faculty interviews and hires on behalf of the chairs
• Meets with SSC staff and department chairs to review/reconcile any budget discrepancies
• Works with Dean's Office and SSC HR contacts to advertise for and hire lecturers
• Assists with KUEA student awards and thank you letters to donors
• Develops and supervises the maintenance of alumni and outreach databases

25% Event Coordination

• Coordinates and manages departmental event details such as catering, location/room scheduling, venue set up, guest accommodations, photography, materials and handouts, presenter needs, technology resources, and other related tasks. Departmental events include ceremonies, recruitment and outreach events, open houses, language clubs, student organizations, and guest speakers
• Facilitates event-related financial transactions in collaboration with the department's Shared Service Center

15% Office Support for the shared language office (shared by EALC, FFIT, and Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies [SGES])

• Assists in the daily operations of the front office
• Collaborates in inventory and orders of supplies for the departments
• Collaborates in the hiring, training, and supervision of student assistants
• Works with Facilities Services to meet office and classroom needs of departments

10% Communication and outreach for EALC and FFIT

• Manages departmental email accounts and calendars for EALC and FFIT
• Assists with outreach efforts targeting a variety of constituents, including donors, alumni, University units, colleagues, and current students
• Advertises events using flyers, brochures, email, social media, websites, and University calendar posts
• Creates course flyers and helps promote courses for departments
• Assists with content creation and maintenance for departmental websites and social media accounts
• Assists with departmental newsletters on recurring basis in coordination with chairs
• Coordinates with Academic Resource Center (EGARC) web administrator and other units for any language requirement updates

Required Qualifications

1. High School diploma or GED equivalency plus a minimum of two years related administrative support work experience or two years of post-secondary education
2. Basic proficiency with MS Office Suite as demonstrated by application materials and previous experience
3. Strong written communication and organizational skills as evidenced by application materials

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application consists of:

• resume
• cover letter explaining how meet the required and preferred qualifications
• list of three professional references

Application review begins Tuesday, August 18, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to that date.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.