Student Life - Assistant Director of Student Transitions & Engagement

Sacred Heart University•Fairfield, CT

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs strives to engage students in opportunities across campus that encourage growth and a connection with others. Committed to providing a positive and inclusive environment that is responsive to the needs of students, the office provides intentional spaces for students to develop as leaders and individuals in true Pioneer character, heart and spirit. With the overall goal to increase student retention, the Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs will coordinate comprehensive year-long programs designed to provide leadership opportunities as well as the transitional programs that will enhance the student’s college experience. The Assistant Director of Student Transitions and Engagement will provide students and families the preparation, information, and support necessary for student success as they enter the university community and enhance the academic and personal growth of new students. This comprehensive program will include June orientations, Transfer and International Orientation, Welcome Week, the First 50 Days, First Year Experience (FYE) course and Family Weekend. The Assistant Director will partner with the Director of First Year Programs to develop, implement, and assess comprehensive programs and initiatives that support the successful transition, engagement, and belonging of new undergraduate students, including first-year, transfer, and international students.

Requirements

Master’s Degree preferred
Minimum of (2) years experience within student affairs, including graduate work.
Experience with large-scale event planning and execution.
Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
Knowledge of student development theory, leadership, and inclusive programming.
Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the social, engagement, and community-building components of Orientation, Welcome Weekend, and First 50 Days, ensuring programs are welcoming, inclusive, and aligned with departmental learning outcomes.
Coordinate and manage Transfer and International Student Orientation, including program logistics, communications, stakeholder collaboration, and assessment.
Recruit, train, supervise, and provide ongoing leadership development and training for Orientation Leaders and Orientation Leader Coordinators, fostering a high-performing student leadership team that supports new student transition.
Advise Orientation Leader Coordinators in the planning, staffing, implementation, and assessment of Orientation and Welcome Weekend activities and social programming.
Lead the development and implementation of transition-focused programming throughout the academic year, including initiatives within the First 50 Days that promote student engagement, belonging, and persistence.
Create and manage engaging digital, print, and social media content that promotes departmental programs, student engagement opportunities, and campus initiatives while maintaining consistent messaging and branding across First Year Programs and Student Involvement.
Coordinate the University's Pre-Fall Programs and Living Learning Community (LLC) application process, including marketing and recruitment, application management, student communications, move-in logistics, program coordination, and collaboration with academic and campus partners.
Partner in the development and implementation of the Pioneers Together Initiative, using SHU Engage data and participation trends to identify uninvolved and unconnected students and coordinate outreach strategies that foster engagement, belonging, and student success.
Collaborate with campus partners to provide educational programs, resources, and experiences that support student transition, engagement, and success.
Assist in the support coordination of campus traditions and signature programs, including President’s Gala, Carnival, Spring Fest, concerts, Involvement Fairs and Campus Life Leadership Awards and other department-wide engagement initiatives.
Responsible for event logistics including set up, marketing and staffing.
Assess programs and initiatives through participation data, student feedback, and learning outcomes to inform continuous improvement and enhance the student experience.
Assist with recruitment activities including Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, and Divisional meetings.
Other duties as assigned by Supervisor