Director of Student Experience

Dominican University•Chicago, IL

3d•$55,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, through an equity-focused and mission-driven approach, provides leadership for the overall student experience at Dominican University's Chicago Campus, with particular responsibility for student engagement, commuter student life, student clubs and organizations, leadership development, residential life, and student belonging. The Director is responsible for creating a vibrant campus environment in which students have meaningful opportunities to build relationships, develop as leaders, participate in clubs and organizations, engage with the city, and develop a strong connection to Dominican University. Recognizing that a significant portion of Chicago Campus students commute, the Director will intentionally design engagement opportunities around the needs and schedules of commuter students while creating experiences that bring commuter and residential students together as one campus community. The Director also oversees the residential experience and the full resident student lifecycle for the Chicago Campus's 80-bed residence hall, including housing operations, residential programming, student support, supervision of Residence Life staff, and coordination with University partners. The Director plays an important role in holistic student support and case management, particularly for students experiencing housing-related challenges or other circumstances that may affect their ability to remain enrolled and successful. Working collaboratively with Student Success & Engagement, the Dean of Students, Campus Safety, and other University partners, the Director helps coordinate appropriate interventions, referrals, follow-up, and emergency response. Additionally, the Director supports campus emergency management and assists the Title IX Coordinator with student education, response, and compliance responsibilities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, student development, or a related field.
Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in student support services, residence life, student activities, or related roles within a higher education setting.
Demonstrated experience in crisis management, including the development of student success plans and tracking progress.
Experience designing and implementing outreach programs to improve student retention and engagement.
Demonstrated dedication to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment in line with Dominican University's mission, particularly for marginalized student populations.
Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across diverse cultural and academic backgrounds.
Proven ability to address crises calmly and effectively, providing support and resolution while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Exceptional time management and organizational abilities, with a strong capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with student support case-management technologies such as Maxient or similar platforms.
Knowledge of college student development theories and their application in creating supportive student environments.
Previous experience working in Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) or other minority-serving institutions, with a focus on meeting the needs of diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary leader for the co-curricular student experience at the Chicago Campus, developing a vibrant, mission-centered campus culture that promotes belonging, engagement, leadership, and student success for both commuter and residential students.
Develop a comprehensive commuter student engagement strategy that recognizes the unique needs and schedules of students who travel to campus, creating meaningful opportunities for involvement before, between, and after classes.
Create and maintain a regular calendar of campus activities, social events, leadership opportunities, community-building experiences, and other programming designed to increase student connection to the Chicago Campus and to one another which include City as Campus.
Lead the development and growth of student clubs and organizations, including establishing processes for students to create new organizations, recruit members, identify faculty/staff advisors, access resources, and sustain active organizations from year to year.
Collaborate closely with faculty and the Executive Director of Academic Affairs to connect curricular and co-curricular experiences and support students' academic, professional, leadership, and personal development.
Oversee all aspects of the resident student life cycle, from the application process and room selection to move-in and ongoing support throughout the academic year.
Provide detailed reports on residential housing capacity, fill rates, application completion, and housing deposits, using data to enhance the resident experience.
Collaborate with the Residence Life staff and Physical Plant to ensure timely completion of maintenance requests and projects within the residence halls, contributing to a safe and welcoming living environment.
Manage summer and break housing logistics, serving as the liaison for planning and executing summer rentals.
Advise students on matters related to housing and residential life, including conflict mediation and referral to appropriate on and off-campus resources. Follow up on residents’ concerns.
Manage and maintain the housing email and Residence Life webpage.
Assess the effectiveness of living-learning communities and their impact on student retention and overall resident experience, using data to inform continuous improvement efforts.
Participate in a 24/7 on-call duty rotation, responding to emergencies and resident concerns effectively and compassionately.
Serve as a liaison to Campus Safety, ensuring the safety and holistic experience of residential students.
Maintain emergency response workflows, maintaining updated protocols to ensure resident safety.
Support the Dean of Students Office in student conduct processes, adjudicating cases in accordance with university policies and the Student Code of Conduct.
Support the Title IX Coordinator in training students and implementing regulations, managing cases as assigned, and ensuring compliance with Title IX standards.
Oversee the hiring, training, and retention of Residence Life staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
Develop individualized staff growth plans to address the diverse needs of students and staff, ensuring a responsive and supportive environment.