Program Manager for the Center of Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement

Universities of Wisconsin • La Crosse, WI

8d

About The Position

The Program Manager for the Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement (CDCE) at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse manages the daily operations of CDCE programs, services, and events. Reporting to the CDCE Director, the Program Manager develops and implements educational programming that fosters belonging, community engagement, and cross-cultural understanding. The role collaborates with student groups, university departments, and community partners to support student success, respond to campus needs, strengthen cross-campus collaboration, and assess programs for continuous improvement.

The position oversees educational and community-building programs, campus climate initiatives, Campus Thread (a free clothing closet for students), CDCE communications and administrative activities, and student staff. It also contributes to policy and program evaluation, reporting, budget planning, and divisional programming throughout the academic year. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of relevant experience. The position is regular, with an annual compensation of $51,000. The application review begins November 16, 2026; initial interviews are virtual, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. The university does not provide work authorization visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, sociology, ethnic and racial studies, communications, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of demonstrated ability to work with students from varying backgrounds and an understanding of barriers to student success.
• Experience coordinating large-scale campus events and initiatives, including logistical planning, budgeting, and assessment.
• Experience designing and leading educational workshops and professional development sessions related to the department’s mission, vision, and values.
• Experience training and supervising student staff.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout employment; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and implementing campus-wide programming on civil discourse, civic empowerment, and discussions of varied perspectives.
• Ability to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty, staff, and community partners to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish, Hmong, or other languages.
• Master’s degree in student development, student affairs administration and higher education, or a related field.
• Proficiency with social media.
• Strong computer proficiency with Shop UW+, PeopleSoft, Qualtrics, and Canvas.

Responsibilities

• Create educational materials and coordinate experiences that expose students to different perspectives, promote civil dialogue, empower students civically, and build critical-thinking, communication, problem-solving, and mutual-respect skills.
• Design and deliver programs, workshops, and presentations that help participants navigate complex topics, foster belonging, and support student success.
• Manage Campus Thread, a free student clothing closet, and initiatives supporting career readiness and preparation for life and work after college.
• Collaborate with the CDCE Director to advocate for policy revisions informed by data and current trends.
• Manage assessments for events and programs and report results to campus leadership, partners, and stakeholders.
• Assist in evaluating CDCE programming for effectiveness and alignment with strategic goals.
• Oversee and maintain the CDCE website, social media, and marketing materials.
• Assist the Director with reports, including End of Year and AIDAC reports.
• Support financial needs review and budget planning and management, including preparing and monitoring budgets, processing purchase orders, managing invoices and payments, and reconciling financial records.
• Collaborate with the CDCE Director, faculty, staff, and student organizations to design and lead campus-wide programs and events.
• Provide structured guidance for community-building and training programs for campus partners.
• Support alignment of campus climate priorities with broader divisional initiatives.
• Lead divisional programming and ensure celebrations and events are implemented throughout the academic year, including managing catering, staffing, and budgets.
• Recruit, train, and oversee office and Campus Thread student staff; handle hiring, promotion, scheduling, and approval of work hours.
• Mentor student staff on relevant campus issues and support their career-readiness skill development through feedback aligned with developmental goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned that reflect the unit and division’s mission and values.

Benefits

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.
• Flexible health insurance with low co-pays and coverage.
• Paid holidays and paid sick days.
• Retirement system vesting after 5 years of employment.
• Benefits package described as adding 40% or more to the overall financial package; eligibility is determined at hire and benefits may be prorated based on appointment percentage.

What This Job Offers

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