Assistant Director of Student Advocacy

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

23d • $34 - $41

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Student Advocacy assists in advocating for students participating in the LEAD Scholars Program which supports first-generation college students at Santa Clara University. This staff member will assist with efforts to support the welfare of participants and by providing direct holistic support and services to LEAD Scholars. This staff member will also coordinate student programming related to holistic wellness, LEAD participation in SCU Orientation activities, and the Level 2 program for first-generation college students who want to join LEAD as current students, as well as collaborate with campus and off-campus partners to advance these efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required
• 3-5 years of work in a student services-related field.
• Understanding and support of the Jesuit tradition of education and a commitment to the fundamental values of service to others, community, and diversity as well as commitment to and demonstration of skills, knowledge, and awareness to serve the unique needs of the diverse campus community of Santa Clara University.
• Understanding of Student Development Theory and college student experiences especially as it pertains to diverse populations including first-generation college students, low-income students, BIPOC students, students from immigrant backgrounds, undocumented students, transfer students, LGBTQ students and non-traditional aged students.
• Effective, culturally competent, holistic advising
• Excellent organizational, communication (written and oral), and public relations, including delivering workshops or trainings, skills essential.
• Strong organizational skills including time management, multitasking, and project completion
• Commitment to customer service, both internal and external to the department.
• Evidence of strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Google Apps for Education, Microsoft Office, and database management.
• Demonstrated ability to: Cultivate collaborative interpersonal relationships with internal and external constituencies.
• Independently carry out tasks of varying complexity.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Operate in a highly confidential manner and with minimal supervision and direction.
• Manage multiple tasks at the same time and complete projects from inception through implementation and assessment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, higher education administration, college student services, education or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of work in an academic setting.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience engaging in student advocacy and support, specifically with diverse student populations.
• Experience and knowledge of mental health issues and concerns

Responsibilities

• Student Welfare and Student Advising (55%) Provide holistic advising and support for students by addressing mental health, family relationships, and academic and financial concerns among others
• Engage in proactive outreach to students, including early outreach to incoming students and to students facing academic and life challenges throughout the academic year including running academic queries
• Provide tailored support and advising to special populations among LEAD Scholars including BIPOC students, undocumented students, transfer students, veterans, foster youth, and other intersecting identities.
• Assist with the distribution of LEAD emergency funding to help address students’ financial concerns
• Coordinate the distribution of LEAD Scholarship funds for study abroad
• Help students access a network of support that includes on and off campus resources, ensuring effective advocacy, referral and collaboration with such units as Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Student Life, Office of Multicultural Learning, Wellness Center, Office of Accessible Education, the Drahmann Center and Financial Aid.
• Uphold student welfare policies and practices in the LEAD Scholars Program that align with those of the university
• Remain abreast of research, current trends, practices and legal issues pertinent to the needs of first-generation college students.
• Coordinate the LEAD Level 2 Program (20%) Coordinate outreach and recruitment of LEAD Level 2 students
• Meet with Level 2 students to orient then to LEAD and understand student’s experiences and needs
• Coordinate enrollment of Level 2 students into LEAD to ensure LEAD enrollment in WorkDay, on LEAD databases and other content management systems
• Coordinate a one-day retreat for Level 2 students to build community and orient them to LEAD programming and resources
• Provide advising support to Level 2 students as part of advocacy caseload.
• Program Coordination (10%) Coordinate wellness-related programming for LEAD Scholars individually and in collaboration with on and off-campus partners
• Coordinate programming for first-generation and limited-income students (FLI), both those that participate and do not participate in LEAD
• Develop content for passive wellness-related education via social media in partnership with Marketing and Program Coordinator
• Coordinate the annual LEAD Retreat in collaboration with Campus Ministry
• Recruitment and Orientation (10%) Collaborate with Associate Director of Student Advocacy on recruitment of new LEAD Scholars
• Assist with LEAD Week, new student intensive orientation
• Coordinate LEAD participation in SCU Orientation activities including Orientation Leader training, Orientation programming and student registration
• Coordinate early outreach information sessions during the summer for new students
• Team Member and Other Responsibilities (5%) Engage regularly in LEAD programming and activities to build connections with students
• Support significant LEAD initiatives such as National First-generation College Celebration, LEAD Symposium, and LEAD Senior Celebration
• Participate in assessment and reporting as appropriate
• Collaborate with the Office of Student Life, Residence Life, Cowell Center, and other departments to support students as needed
• Serve on University-wide committees as a representative of the LEAD Scholars Program as appropriate to areas of responsibility
• Collaborate with marketing and program coordinator to update LEAD website

Benefits

• Santa Clara University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

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