Assistant Director of Residential Life for Residential Education

Valparaiso University • Valparaiso, IN

14h

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Residential Life for Residential Education provides leadership for the Office of Residential Life's academic and developmental mission. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Life, this live-on position is responsible for designing, implementing, and assessing the Residential Learning Curriculum, ensuring that the residential experience contributes to the University's mission and student learning outcomes. The Assistant Director oversees initiatives such as Living-Learning centers (LLCs), faculty engagement initiatives, and departmental assessment efforts. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the residence hall, this role transforms housing into a high-impact educational practice.

Requirements

• A master's Degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, or a related field is required.
• 2-4 years of experience in residence life, with demonstrated experience in residential curriculum design, living-learning communities/centers, and/or residential academic initiatives.
• Knowledge of student development theory, curriculum design, and assessment methodologies.

Nice To Haves

• Instructional design skills, ability to collaborate with faculty, data analysis proficiency, and leadership in staff training and development.

Responsibilities

• The Assistant Director leads the development of the Residential Learning Curriculum, defining the "Educational Priority," learning goals, and sequenced strategies for the entire department.
• The Assistant Director oversees the development and support of Living-Learning Communities, serving as the primary liaison to academic deans and faculty partners.
• Serving as the assessment lead for the department, the Assistant Director designs and implements assessment initiatives to measure the impact of the residential experience.
• The Assistant Director plays a key role in the department's professional development. They design the pedagogical components of RA Training (August and January), teaching student staff how to facilitate learning moments and conduct intentional conversations. Additionally, they lead professional development sessions for full-time staff on current trends in higher education and residential education, ensuring the team remains grounded in theory and best practices.
• This position may supervise graduate assistants or student staff dedicated to academic initiatives.
• They also assist in the recruitment and selection of professional and student staff, ensuring that candidates possess the necessary skills to execute the educational mission.
• The Assistant Director serves in the administrative on-call rotation, responding to crises and serving as a decision-maker during emergencies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director