Assistant Director of Student Engagement

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking an Assistant Director of Student Engagement to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery--a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary/Pay Range: $ 60,000 - $68,000 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-Site/Hybrid

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The Assistant Director of Student Engagement oversees the leadership, strategic planning, administration, and development of three key areas of student engagement within the Department of Student Life and Leadership: Student Activities, Student Media, and Fraternity & Sorority Life. This position directs, executes, and assesses a robust and diverse calendar of entertaining, dynamic, and educational co-curricular offerings that positively impact both residential and commuter student belonging, success, retention, persistence, and well-being. This position serves as the primary liaison and advisor to student media organizations, including The Scribe student newspaper, the UCCS Radio Station, and the Riverrun literary arts journal. Additionally, this position manages all aspects of a growing fraternity and sorority community. The Assistant Director of Student Engagement is also responsible for the design, implementation, and achievement of campus, divisional, and department goals. UCCS is an emerging university, and as such, student engagement is constantly evolving to meet the needs and wants of all students. This position will enthusiastically lead the charge in delivering enriching programs that are grounded in best practice, demonstrate a student-first approach, and align with the vision: "A connection for every student." Frequent evening and weekend work is required balanced with a flexible work schedule. As needed, other duties may be assigned to this position by the Director of Student Engagement.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Student Activities and Collaborations
  • Lead long-term and short-term strategic visioning and planning for student engagement, advocate for departmental needs and resources to support student engagement.
  • Direct and manage a full calendar of large-scale, traditional events on campus, including, but not limited to, Clyde's Kickoff, Disorientation Week, Homecoming Weekend, Winter Welcome Week, Commuter Appreciation Weeks, and other related co-sponsored events.
  • Manage the planning, operations, execution, assessment, and promotion of events and initiatives that specifically support and enhance the commuter student experience. Emphasis will be placed on hosting events in a wide variety of campus locations and beyond.
  • Lead collaborative inclusive campus programing efforts with students, administrators, faculty and staff.
  • Identify and engage Student Life and Leadership in partnerships with other campus departments that contribute to the overall student engagement experience.
  • Collaborate with the Director of University Center Operations and Event Services to develop University Center late night student programming in Clyde's Campus Pub, the Game Room, and other meeting spaces.
  • Develop and deploy strategic, thematic co-curricular programs during key times of the year for out-of-state, first-year students.
  • Co-chair the annual Significant Speaker event planning committee, as well as set the vision, lead the planning, and oversee all logistical aspects of the event.
  • Support the organization, contracting, marketing, staffing, and execution of an annual large-scale concert.
  • In partnership with Residence Life and Housing staff, expand active and engaging student programming within the residential villages.
  • Provide intentional, ongoing co-curricular engagement for the UCCS post-traditional student population.
  • Oversee the timely and creative marketing, promotion, and scheduling of student activities that align with UCCS branding guidelines.
• Co-Curricular Pathway Management and Engagement Promotions
  • Provide leadership, vision, and strategic planning focused on the development of co-curricular channels to engage students in traditional and non-traditional ways.
  • Direct all aspects of the Clyde's 5 Co-curricular Pathways initiative through the oversight, promotion and assessment of all the components within each domain that are used for reporting and recognition purposes.
  • Provide consistent, timely updating and maintenance of the Student Activities calendar, event posts in Mountain Lion Connect (Student Life and Leadership's engagement platform), text messaging, social media, bulletin boards, permanent signage, and other campus advertising outlets.
  • Review and edit all marketing, advertisements, and promotion materials in advance of posting, publishing, and distributing--ensuring accuracy and professional presentation of all Student Life and Leadership communications and promotions.
  • Oversee the department's text messaging system and actively seek out other innovative opportunities to promote engagement to students and staff.
• Fraternity and Sorority Life
  • Lead long-term and short-term strategic visioning and planning for fraternities and sororities, informed by best practices and current trends.
  • Interpret and evaluate pertinent policies and procedures for fraternities and sororities and guide new groups through the development/recognition process.
  • In an effort to provide joint and aligned support for fraternities and sororities, cultivate and expand relationships with the chapters' local advisors and national headquarters.
  • Maintain an accurate and up-to-date roster of all fraternities and sororities.
  • Advise, guide, and support the primary fraternity and sorority councils at UCCS: President's Council. Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, and multicultural Greek council(s).
  • Lead and direct all fraternity and sorority related education and outreach initiatives to include, but not limited to, Greekend, Greek Awards, Meet the Greeks, New Member Conference, President's Dinner, and other community initiatives.
  • Develop channels for sorority and fraternity organizations to build partnerships with other university stakeholders, departments, and staff members.
  • In collaboration with the Dean of Students Office, serve as the primary point of contact and investigator for the intake of concerns related to sorority and fraternity conduct.
  • Develop and execute, with the support of each individual chapter, opportunities for continuing education, training, advocacy, and service that accomplishes the mission(s) of individual organizations, and helps build awareness within the college community.
  • Direct all fraternity and sorority recruitment activities, advisement, scheduling, and support measures.
• Student Media
  • Chair the Student Media Advisory Board (SMAB)-- set the vision, lead meetings, and manage logistical needs such as agendas and minutes.
  • Supervise the Student Media advisors, including those for The Scribe, UCCS Radio, and Riverrun. Conduct annual performance evaluations and collaborate with the advisors on student employee needs.
  • Oversee and manage the Student Media budgets and finances. Attend monthly divisional finance meetings and ensure accurate information for expenditures, procurement, and budgeting.
  • Manage the year-end Student Media budget process and, with feedback from the Student Media Advisory Board, set the annual budget for the new fiscal year.
  • In coordination with the Student Life and Leadership Human Resources Liaison, consistently maintain accurate Student Media student employee files.
• Student Life and Leadership Assessment
  • Ensure consistent staffing and accurate student attendance tracking at all student events.
  • Serve as a departmental point of contact and troubleshooter for the student engagement platform, Mountain Lion Connect.
  • Direct and lead assessment and benchmarking initiatives for Student Activities and other related areas.
  • Establish student learning outcomes for all campus traditions and events, as well as assess the impact of the outcomes on student development, retention, and persistence.
  • Lead post-event assessments to ensure student engagement programs are meeting the needs of students, as well as the goals and expectations of the department.
  • Align programming with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Standards.
  • Compose and publish monthly assessment reports including both quantitative and qualitative assessment of student activity, fraternity and sorority, and student media programming.
  • Promote and uphold the culture of evidence within the Department of Student Life and Leadership and use student data to inform decisions.
• General Student Engagement and Student Life and Leadership Duties
  • Serve as a member of the Department of Student Lifeand Leadership team, overseeing operations, functions, and development of student engagement.
  • Ensure that campus activities align with the goals and values of the campus.
  • Model the way in the delivery of a welcoming, friendly, and student-first customer service model.
  • Support and effectively delegate the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of an inviting, safe, clean, and orderly Student Life and Leadership lounge and office space.
  • Provide timely communication (e-mail, phone, social media, face-to-face, and meetings).
  • Serve as the Student Life and Leadership representative on the Campus Programming Team.
  • Schedule and participate in weekly event scheduling and logistics meetings with Event Services.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date schedules for all professional staff and student emloyees.
  • Actively participate in all Student Life and Leadership meetings.
  • Foster positive rapport and relationships with the student body by being visible on campus. Serve on divisional and campus-wide committees as assigned.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree is required.
• Applicants must have experience that includes event planning, student activities, and/or other areas of co-curricular events.
• Supervisory experience (overseeing students and/or professionals) is required.
• A Master's degree in student affairs, education, or applicable field from an accredited college or university is preferred.
• Large-scale event planning experience such as concerts, speaker events, and/or corporate events is preferred.
• Experience working with contract, contract composition, budgets, financing, and or procurement procedures is preferred.
• Experience in advising sororities and fraternities and/or coordinating Greek Life initiatives on a college campus is preferred.
• Experience that includes working with college students in the co-curricular arena that may include student activities, leadership, student services, or related area is preferred.
• The most qualified applicants will have experience in leading strategic visioning, planning, and execution of a variety of student engagement areas.
• Experience in assessment techniques and data collection is highly desirable.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: 2/19/2025.
• Potential interview dates: 3/3/2025 - 3/7/2025.

• Potential start date: 4/1/2025.

UCCS is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.