Position Summary
The Director of Campus Engagement and Student Experience provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for university-wide programs and initiatives designed to support the successful transition, engagement, belonging, and retention of new and first-year students, as well as the broader student experience. The Director provides leadership for Gannon University’s comprehensive First-Year Experience, including the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of Gannon 101, Gannon READS , new student orientation, Welcome Week, and Transition Guides. The Director also leads the clubs and organizations process and fraternity and sorority life initiatives (with the Coordinator). The Director ensures that the first-year experience is intentionally designed to help students understand and navigate the university, develop meaningful connections, engage with the University’s mission and community, develop skills necessary for collegiate success, and establish a strong foundation for persistence and graduation. The Director works collaboratively with other Student Development and Engagement leaders to ensure that these programs support the University’s student experience priorities and the strategic goals of the division. Specifically, they will coordinate with the staff and students who compose the Activities Programming Board and the Gannon Student Government Association. The Director uses student data, assessment results, student feedback, and current research and high-impact practices to inform program development and ensure that first-year initiatives and student engagement programs respond to the changing needs of Gannon’s student population. The Director demonstrates a commitment to Gannon University’s mission, Catholic identity, student-centered philosophy, and commitment to creating an inclusive environment in which students can thrive.
Physical Demands
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Must be able to meet the physical demands associated with a busy academic environment and regular interaction with students, faculty, and staff. WORKING CONDITIONS : The majority of work is performed in a busy university environment with regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, and University administrators. Attendance at University programs and events outside of traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required, particularly during orientation, Welcome Week, student leader training, and other significant student programming periods.
Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, student development, or a related field is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience: Preferred: five years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, student affairs, student development, first-year experience, orientation, student success, retention, or a related area. Demonstrated experience with first-year seminar, transition programming, curriculum development, student engagement, or related initiatives is strongly preferred. Experience coordinating complex programs, supervising staff or student leaders, and managing multiple annual program cycles.
Work Schedule
Mostly week days with occasional weekend
The Director of Campus Engagement and Student Experience provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for university-wide programs and initiatives designed to support the successful transition, engagement, belonging, and retention of new and first-year students, as well as the broader student experience. The Director provides leadership for Gannon University’s comprehensive First-Year Experience, including the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of Gannon 101, Gannon READS , new student orientation, Welcome Week, and Transition Guides. The Director also leads the clubs and organizations process and fraternity and sorority life initiatives (with the Coordinator). The Director ensures that the first-year experience is intentionally designed to help students understand and navigate the university, develop meaningful connections, engage with the University’s mission and community, develop skills necessary for collegiate success, and establish a strong foundation for persistence and graduation. The Director works collaboratively with other Student Development and Engagement leaders to ensure that these programs support the University’s student experience priorities and the strategic goals of the division. Specifically, they will coordinate with the staff and students who compose the Activities Programming Board and the Gannon Student Government Association. The Director uses student data, assessment results, student feedback, and current research and high-impact practices to inform program development and ensure that first-year initiatives and student engagement programs respond to the changing needs of Gannon’s student population. The Director demonstrates a commitment to Gannon University’s mission, Catholic identity, student-centered philosophy, and commitment to creating an inclusive environment in which students can thrive.
Physical Demands
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Must be able to meet the physical demands associated with a busy academic environment and regular interaction with students, faculty, and staff. WORKING CONDITIONS : The majority of work is performed in a busy university environment with regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, and University administrators. Attendance at University programs and events outside of traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required, particularly during orientation, Welcome Week, student leader training, and other significant student programming periods.
Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, student development, or a related field is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience: Preferred: five years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, student affairs, student development, first-year experience, orientation, student success, retention, or a related area. Demonstrated experience with first-year seminar, transition programming, curriculum development, student engagement, or related initiatives is strongly preferred. Experience coordinating complex programs, supervising staff or student leaders, and managing multiple annual program cycles.
Work Schedule
Mostly week days with occasional weekend