Staff Assistant - Cultural Engagement Center

Emerson College • Boston, MA

1d

About The Position

The Staff Assistant supports the Cultural Engagement Center (CEC) in developing programs, services, and partnerships that foster curiosity, connection, and community across Emerson College. Reporting to the Director of the CEC, the Staff Assistant leads cultural initiatives, advises student organizations, supports students, and manages CEC operations and space.

The role develops and implements dialogues, workshops, cultural events, and community-building activities in partnership with student organizations, Student Affairs departments, the Center for Spiritual Life, and Boston-area organizations. It advises and mentors cultural and affinity-based student organizations, develops a peer mentorship program, supports students navigating cultural, community, or adjustment-related challenges, and connects them with campus resources.

The Staff Assistant manages daily Center operations, including scheduling, room reservations, event logistics, equipment requests, work orders, and space accessibility. The position also supports and supervises CEC student employees; manages event calendar, website, social media, EmConnect, and print communications; and coordinates promotional campaigns for cultural heritage months and signature programs.

The position assists with program assessment, data collection, and reporting to identify student needs and inform future programming. Programs and services should align with Emerson College’s strategic priorities, institutional expectations, and applicable federal nondiscrimination and equal opportunity guidance. The role is primarily office-based, with expected evening and weekend participation for campus programs and events. This is a temporary fixed-term position scheduled for 20 hours per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in student engagement, identity development, intersectionality, and community building across differences or related areas in higher education.
• Experience advising, mentoring, and supporting college students.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and assessing student engagement events and training, and managing space.
• Prior experience managing projects independently and collaborating across departments.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication, organizational, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners representing diverse identities and perspectives.
• Creative, collaborative, flexible, self-motivated, and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to sit or stand and concentrate for extended periods; occasional lifting and movement of light materials.
• Evening and weekend participation for campus programs and events is expected.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, or similar communication and design tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement CEC dialogues, workshops, cultural events, and community-building activities.
• Partner with student organizations, Student Affairs departments, the Center for Spiritual Life, and Boston-area organizations to expand cultural learning and engagement.
• Support programs that promote reflection, dialogue, community, and cross-cultural understanding, and ensure programming aligns with institutional expectations and applicable federal nondiscrimination and equal opportunity guidance.
• Advise and mentor cultural and affinity-based student organizations on leadership, event planning, budgeting, policies, and organizational development.
• Develop a peer mentorship program connecting students across class years, backgrounds, and interests.
• Support students navigating cultural, community, or adjustment-related challenges and connect them with appropriate campus resources.
• Provide outreach and support to cultural organizations and first-generation students.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs partners, including Student Care and Support, Community Standards, the Emerson Wellness Center, and the Office of Equal Opportunity, when appropriate.
• Manage daily CEC operations, including scheduling, room reservations, event logistics, equipment requests, work orders, and space accessibility.
• Maintain a welcoming, accessible, and comfortable Center environment.
• Assist in supporting and supervising CEC student employees.
• Manage the CEC event calendar, website, social media, EmConnect, and print communications.
• Coordinate communications and promotional campaigns for cultural heritage months and signature CEC programs in accordance with Emerson’s brand and accessibility guidelines.
• Assist with program assessment, data collection, and reporting to identify student needs and inform future programming.
• Align CEC programs and services with Emerson College’s strategic priorities and applicable federal guidelines.

Benefits

• Health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses for eligible regular staff scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week.
• Dental plans for eligible regular staff scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week.
• Generous time-off programs for eligible regular staff scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week.
• 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible.
• Life and disability coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Commuter offerings, subject to eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level