Coordinator, Student Engagement and Traditions

American University•Washington, DC

7d•$50,000 - $55,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Engagement and Traditions Coordinator supports the development and execution of campus-wide initiatives that foster student thriving, community connection, and active involvement at American University. The Coordinator advises student programming boards and helps plan and deliver Welcome Weeks, late-night and recurring programs, university festivals, class-year programs, and signature traditions. The role manages event logistics and budgets, ensures compliance with university policies, and supervises graduate and undergraduate student staff. It requires strong project management and a commitment to student development, with an adjusted schedule that may include evenings and weekends. The Coordinator advises Students for Change and the Spirit and Traditions Board, co-advises the Student Activity Council, and supports other programming boards as needed. In collaboration with the Associate Director for Student Programs and Signature Events, the Coordinator helps plan retreats, training, workshops, large-scale events, and campus traditions. The role develops inclusive programming, supports student advocacy and creativity, and works to strengthen campus community, belonging, school spirit, and student engagement. The position plans and implements a broad range of programs, including Welcome Weeks, Red Tuesdays, Thank Clawed It’s Wednesday, Thursday Night Live, and Eagles at Night. The Coordinator co-chairs the Thank Clawed It’s Wednesday and Eagles at Night committees, provides regular staffing for Friday Night Films, and develops cohort and class-based programming for sophomore, transfer, and junior students. Programming is refined using student feedback and assessment data. Administrative duties include managing budgets and funding processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and policy compliance, preparing end-of-year reports, managing contracts, representing the department on committees, and overseeing storage, supplies, and resources. The Coordinator develops assessment systems for engagement, satisfaction, attendance, and participation, and supervises assigned graduate and undergraduate staff. The Coordinator oversees the department’s digital presence, including its website, newsletters, student organization pages, and social media. Responsibilities include managing the CSI Instagram account and content calendar; producing photography, video, and graphic design; creating marketing campaigns; coordinating communications submissions; and maintaining CSI event pages and records on the student organization management platform. The role collaborates with Student Affairs Marketing and University Communications & Marketing on content strategy, social media, and event coverage. It also leads assigned event production, including audiovisual needs, space setup, facilities coordination, staging, and other logistics, and supports major programs such as Commencement, Family Weekend, Summer Send-Offs, Move-In, New Student Orientation, Family and Supporters Orientation, Student Achievement Awards, and Eagles at Night. The Coordinator may advise recognized student organizations as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
1–3 years of relevant experience.
Ability to welcome, value, and affirm people of all identities and experiences and support their full inclusion in the university community.
Ability to use discretion, tact, and diplomacy when handling confidential or sensitive matters with students, faculty, staff, employers, and other stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication, active listening, editing, summarizing, and report-writing skills.
Ability to review work for completeness and accuracy, prepare for meetings and presentations, organize materials, follow up on commitments, and establish quality procedures.
Student services skills, including connecting students to services, advocating for students, supporting their needs, and empowering them to achieve their goals.
Ability to gather diagnostic information by consulting relevant people, asking clarifying questions, and checking multiple sources.
Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Ability to work an adjusted schedule, including late nights and weekends, to support student programs.
Ability to work from the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or on-site at the university.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
2–4 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Advise Students for Change and the Spirit and Traditions Board, co-advise the Student Activity Council, and support other programming boards as needed.
Provide student leaders with proactive feedback, individualized support, mentorship, strategic guidance, and event advising.
Support planning and implementation of Student Activity Council retreats, trainings, and workshops in partnership with campus collaborators.
Plan and implement campus-wide programs, recurring student engagement events, festivals, cohort programs, and signature traditions.
Co-chair the Thank Clawed It’s Wednesday and Eagles at Night committees and provide regular staffing support for Friday Night Films.
Develop cohort and class-based programming for sophomore, transfer, and junior students.
Collaborate with campus stakeholders and use student feedback and assessment data to refine programming.
Manage budgets and funding processes for student cohort groups and programming; ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with university policies and procedures.
Prepare end-of-year reports and represent the department on university and division-wide committees, including the University Communications Collaborative and All-American Welcome planning committees.
Manage contracting processes for assigned programs and student organizations.
Develop systems to assess student engagement, satisfaction, attendance, and participation.
Coordinate program storage, supplies, and resource management.
Supervise assigned graduate and undergraduate staff and student staff.
Maintain the department website, newsletters, student organization pages, social media presence, and CSI event pages on the student organization management platform.
Manage the CSI Instagram account, social media content calendar, photography, video content, graphic design, and marketing campaigns.
Coordinate departmental submissions to Student Affairs newsletters and other university communication channels.
Provide marketing and creative support for student engagement initiatives and collaborate with Student Affairs Marketing and University Communications & Marketing.
Lead event production for assigned programs, including audiovisual requirements, space setup, facilities coordination, staging, and other logistics.
Support major programs including Commencement, Family Weekend, Summer Send-Offs, Move-In, New Student Orientation, Family and Supporters Orientation, Student Achievement Awards, and Eagles at Night.
Advise recognized student organizations as needed.