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Institution University of South Dakota
Working Title Director Student Engagement
Posting Number NFE02332P
Department USD-Student Services
Physical Location of Position (City) Vermillion
Posting Text
The Director of Student Engagement will direct and oversee a wide variety of programs to serve a diverse student population and lead Student Services to provide students with the best possible experience. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Student Support Services/Dean of Students and as a member of the leadership team, the director of student engagement will advance and implement an innovative and unifying strategic vision and enhance and cultivate a holistic student experience rooted in belonging, well-being, and student success. Specifically, the director will be responsible for Student Activities and Office of Multicultural Affairs, Sorority and Fraternity Life, Service Learning, and Spirit Teams. To ensure success, the director will collaborate with students, staff, and faculty to enhance a welcoming, supportive, and intellectually engaging environment that builds community and maximizes opportunities for student engagement and success.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Serve as primary campus liaison and point of contact for all student organization-related issues, questions, and requests campus-wide.
- Serves as the primary campus contact for USD Involved, the student organization management website used by the university.
- Manage student organization management processes, including but not limited to new student organization processes, re-registration process, event approval, finance, and purchasing. Manage student organization storage space and student organization supplies. Coordinate communications with student organizations, leaders, and advisors regarding their work. Assist student organizations with event planning, including scheduling based on the academic and event calendar, budgeting, contracting, facilities, safety, food, and other related needs.
- Serve as an active and engaged member of the Student Services staff. Provide direct support and collaboration across the division. Duties may include consultations some evenings and weekends as events take place.
- Hire, on-board, supervise, train, and evaluate a team of 4 professional staff, multiple graduate assistants, and numerous student staff and leaders in Student Services and its programs.
- Work directly with the Sorority/Fraternity Life team composed of one full-time staff member and 8 graduate assistants in planning all aspects of the sorority/fraternity experience for their community of approximately 800 students in 11 organizations. Assist in addressing concerns from Vermillion neighbors and parents.
- Lead and attend student programming, including evening and weekend meetings, student training, and leadership opportunities.
- Serve as the primary advisor for various student organizations supported by the office. Those groups may include Dakota Days, Dakotathon, the Interfraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Council.
- Collaborate with appropriate campus partners on holistic student development programming that supports student populations across campus and student-led initiatives as appropriate.
- Assist in developing and implementing campus traditions including Welcome Week, Dakota Days, Family Weekend, Coyote Alley (student tailgate), and other traditions as appropriate. Serve on Fan Participation Committee and plan and supervise Coyote Alley (student tailgate) to provide a safe and fun environment for game days. Coordinate annual Coyote Excellence Awards for Student Leaders.
- Plan, implement and execute New Student Orientation. Select and train student orientation leaders, serve on move in day committee, plan welcome events, educational session, for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of opening weekend in August. Schedule dinner and information for new students in January.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Student Engagement Team.
- Develop and implement the overall strategic vision of the area linked to division wide goals. Oversee learning outcomes and assessment of work toward goals.
- Serve as a campus leader and subject matter expert regarding topics of student engagement, student leaders/organizations, and regularly provide consultation and guidance related to issues management on these topics.
- Oversee the operating budget for Student Engagement. Ensure that departments stay within means when planning.
- Create long- and short-term plans and assessment of student engagement strategies and programs.
- Continually assess student needs and interests, as well as remain abreast of current trends and best practices in the field of student affairs (and adjacent fields) related to student leadership, engagement, civic engagement, and sense of belonging.
- Utilize relevant data, scholarship, and student development (and other relevant) theories/models when planning and developing programs and services designed to foster and support student learning and growth. Student Services is implementing Life Design into programming.
- Create and implement systems to improve quality and manage risk, including staff professional development programs, regular assessments of student satisfaction, and methods for engaging with students about campus climate and the student experience.
- Collaborate with the Central Scheduling office to maintain student-centered space usage and scheduling policies for student programming and event spaces.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in higher education or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in the areas of strategic planning, organizational development, assessment, and evaluation in advancement of organizational goals within a complex institution of higher education.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, problems, and processes in an objective manner and formulate conclusions to provide a sound basis for establishing priorities, selecting appropriate courses of action, and making recommendations.
- A high degree of political acumen regarding sensitive and highly visibility issues; ability to establish and manage delicate balances that must be achieved among competing variables and interests in a diverse, and complex university environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, and developing professional staff, including skills related to team building, coaching and performance management.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and develop trust with college students, student leaders, student activists, and student organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise student teams and facilitate group development.
- Demonstrated programming experience (from inception to planning and implementation to assessment)
- Knowledge and applied praxis of effective models/philosophies in higher education and student affairs, and of student development theories related to leadership and engagement.
- Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive issues and information.
- High level of acumen related to understanding, interpreting, and applying college regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Strong oral communication skills with ability to work effectively in group processes. Excellent writing skills to produce clear and concise reports, policies, procedures, and general correspondence.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 5-8 years of experience in student affairs work, student leadership development, and or student activities/engagement.
- Demonstrated expertise in crisis management on college campuses.
- Demonstrated experience in the areas of strategic planning, organizational development, assessment, and evaluation in advancement of organizational goals within a complex institution of higher education.
Posting Date 04/25/2024
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
First Consideration Date 05/09/2024
Advertised Salary commensurate with qualifications, plus benefits
Duration of the Term 12 months
If Other, describe duration
Appointment Percent 100
Work Hours
Typical Hours Worked Per Week
Appointment Type Regular
Faculty Status No
Scope of Search External (includes Internal)
If internal, define scope of search
This position requires Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License
If other, please indicate
Department Description and Cultural Expectations
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
USD is committed to fostering a dynamic and welcoming working and learning environment for all. USD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ideological, political, or sectarian opinions or perspectives; or race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. USD is committed to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse.
Contact Information
Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication
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Please designate the physical requirements of this position Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Lifting light, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Use Both Hands, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)
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Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Exposure or Potential Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids, Vaccination recommended due to potential occupational exposure, Exposure to Noise
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