Description

Position Overview

The Student Engagement Center at the University of Kansas serves as a hub for student involvement, leadership development, impact programs and resources, and community programs. Through the Student Engagement Center, KU students deepen their connection to each other and KU by exploring communities and opportunities to thrive during their Jayhawk experience. Students will engage through registered student organizations, leadership experiences, and professional development workshops. The Center will impact students by providing for direct needs in the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing closets, and the Emergency Aid Network. Jayhawks will build community as they connect with peers and engage in student support programs. The Student Engagement Center enhances existing programs by providing greater resources and deeper connections across Student Affairs.

The Associate Director for Student Community Programs is responsible for strengthening the KU student experience through community engagement programs. The Associate Director for Student Community Programs will supervise professional, graduate, and undergraduate student staff to implement an intersectional range of programs and initiatives that foster community building across all KU students. The Associate Director for Student Community Programs engages with students, staff, faculty, and the community to extend the reach of the Student Engagement Center.

The Associate Director reports to the Director of the Student Engagement Center and serves as a key member of the center's leadership team. Student Affairs at the University of Kansas makes learning possible through programs and services designed to support students across their KU experience as they achieve their academic and personal goals. Student Affairs serves as an advocate for students across the University community.

Job Description

50% Student Community Programs

• Establish a dynamic, future-oriented mission and vision for student-focused community and educational programs, workshops, and events at the University of Kansas. Ensure all program activities and initiatives align with the unit's mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.
• Supervise program coordinators focused on student community programs and educational workshops.
• Lead the development and implementation of signature programs and other large-scale events designed to connect students, staff, and faculty. This includes initiating and negotiating contracts, performing host responsibilities, and managing event logistics.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop initiatives that support the Student Engagement Center's mission and goals.
• Build and maintain partnerships with university stakeholders that align with the Student Engagement Center's mission and strengthen the resources available to students.
• Coordinate with the Student Engagement Center and Student Affairs staff to oversee communication strategies and products to promote student community programs.
• Manage program budgets associated with student community and engagement programs and educational workshops in collaboration with the Director.

30% Training and Development

• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and protocols for responding to student needs, ensuring consistency and adherence to legal requirements following the student code of conduct.
• Design ongoing training and professional development opportunities for Student Community Program coordinators and student employees.
• Assist the Director of the Student Engagement Center in planning all-staff meetings, retreats, and training.
• Assist the Director of the Student Engagement Center in efforts to create and standardize staff protocols and operations.
• Gather and assess culture and climate information to identify initiatives that effectively respond to departmental and campus needs.

10% Assessment and Planning

• Foster a culture of evidence-based decisions and practices related to student engagement, community programs, and personal development workshops. Oversee the implementation of assessments to evaluate the effectiveness/success of programs within the Student Program Manager for Student Community Programs portfolio.
• Track data-based trends related to student engagement programs and services within and beyond KU. Identify trends over time and projections for future needs.
• Collaborate with peer institutions and professional organizations to benchmark KU programs with regional, national, and international best practices.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate program learning outcomes. Ensure all community engagement programming advances departmental, Student Affairs, and university learning outcomes.

10% Other Duties as Assigned

• Serve on Student Engagement Center, Student Affairs, and university-wide committees as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree in higher education, college student personnel, educational leadership, counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field and 3 years of work experience in higher education OR a bachelor's degree and 5 years of work experience in higher education.
2. Two years of experience supervising professional and student staff.
3. Three years of experience coordinating, planning, facilitating, and evaluating student engagement and community programs on a college campus.
4. Experience overseeing training and development opportunities for professional and student staff, as evidenced in application.
5. Experience in practices and national trends impacting student engagement as demonstrated through work history, as evidenced in application.
6. Experience developing and managing complex organizational budgets, as evidenced in application materials.
7. Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of students, staff, faculty, administrators, and other members of the community, as evidenced in application materials.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins July 27, 2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

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, [email protected], 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.