Student Engagement Program Specialist - Events - University Center Student Activities and Involvement

Universities of Wisconsin • Whitewater, WI

7d • $52,000 - $55,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Student Activities and Involvement in the department of the University Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Student Engagement Program Specialist - Events (Student Affairs Program Specialist, AE192). The Student Engagement Program Specialist — Events provides subject matter expertise in student programming and experiential, co-curricular engagement that supports student learning, development, and high-impact campus experiences. This position serves as the primary advisor to UC Live, the university's programming board, and supports large-scale, student-led events that foster engagement, belonging, leadership development, and campus community. Responsibilities include supervising the Program Specialist - Down Under; advising and supervising student programming leaders; coordinating event contracts, budgets, logistics, staffing, marketing, and risk management practices; and supporting the training and development of student leaders and employees. The position also serves as the primary advisor to the Homecoming Steering Committee and collaborates in the training and development of Student Engagement graduate assistants and student employees. This position is housed within the Student Engagement unit and located in the Involvement Office within the Warhawk Connection Center in the University Center. Evening and weekend hours are required based on programming and event needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Recreation Management, Event Management, Hospitality Management, Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• At least one year of experience in student activities, event programming, campus engagement, or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate programs and events.
• Experience supervising, training, scheduling, or leading student employees, volunteers, or professional staff.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support programming and campus events.
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience utilizing student engagement platforms, assessment tools, marketing strategies, and risk management practices.
• Familiarity with university policies, student development theory, and training facilitation.
• Master's degree or professional certification in Event Management, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Leadership, or a related field.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenditures, and overseeing financial transactions.
• A strong commitment to excellence in public service and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise and supervise UC Live student leaders, Homecoming Steering Committee members, interns, and student employees, supporting leadership development, decision-making, and experiential learning.
• Develop and facilitate training programs focused on leadership, inclusion, event management, and risk awareness.
• Foster partnerships with campus and community stakeholders to enhance student engagement, belonging, and campus life.
• Plan, implement, and assess major campus programs, including welcome events, Homecoming, recognition programs, and weekly entertainment programming.
• Design and facilitate programming that advances institutional and Student Engagement learning outcomes.
• Ensure programs, services, and engagement opportunities are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of a diverse student population.
• Coordinate all aspects of event management, including contracts, staffing, scheduling, marketing, production support, and risk management.
• Negotiate contracts and represent the university at regional and national programming and contracting events.
• Collect and analyze participation, assessment, and learning outcome data to support reporting, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
• Manage the UC Live budget (approximately $94,000) and Homecoming budget (approximately $12,000), ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and compliance with university financial policies.
• Supervise the Program Specialist - Down Under and provide indirect supervision to student employees and interns.
• Contribute to strategic planning initiatives through assessment, environmental scanning, and implementation of best practices.
• Manage operational processes including purchasing, payroll coordination, facility use coordination, and engagement platform administration.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, financial procedures, and event management standards.
• Participate in university committees, training initiatives, and collaborative planning efforts that support student engagement and institutional priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees.
• Advises and enforces Institution policies related to services in Student Affairs.
• Monitors, evaluates, and modifies processes, procedures, and/or standards, ensuring alignment with the Institution's mission, values, goals, and objectives, as well as all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• May monitor the program budget and approve expenditures.
• Plans, organizes, administers, and manages processes and operations related to assigned area(s) of responsibility.
• Schedules logistics and secures resources to support the operational plans of the program or unit.
• Serves as the program or unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups.

Benefits

• UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

What This Job Offers

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