Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement - Civic Engagement - University Center

University of Wisconsin Stout•Whitewater, WI

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement serves as the primary professional resource for Whitewater Student Government (WSG), student leadership within governance, and civic engagement initiatives for the Student Engagement unit. The position empowers student leaders through advising, coaching, education, and subject matter expertise related to student governance, leadership development, civic participation, advocacy, freedom of expression, civil discourse, and effective organizational leadership. The program specialist provides professional advising and operational support to Whitewater Student Government, helping student leaders navigate university policies, governance processes, communications, programming, and campus partnerships while fostering meaningful student voice and participation. The position maintains a collaborative connection with the UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support communication, coordination, and opportunities for shared leadership and civic engagement across both campus locations. The position also coordinates Warhawks Vote, the university’s nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement initiative, and develops educational programs, training, curriculum, and resources that promote civic learning, participation, critical inquiry, and engagement across diverse perspectives. The specialist coordinates/assists with program logistics, communications, assessment, partnerships, and continuous improvement for Whitewater Student Government and related civic engagement initiatives. Work hours will vary based on program, governance, and campus engagement needs and will include occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student affairs, student engagement, leadership development, public administration, political science, education, communications, or a related field.
Professional experience working with college students in student engagement, leadership development, student governance, civic engagement, advising, or a related area.
Experience advising, mentoring, or developing student leaders.
Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate educational programs, workshops, trainings, or other student learning experiences.
Demonstrated knowledge of student leadership, organizational development, student governance, civic engagement, and student development practices.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through written, verbal, interpersonal, and digital communication.
Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with students, campus partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to organize multiple programs, projects, schedules, and priorities.
Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate program and student learning assessment data.
Demonstrated commitment to creating welcoming, equitable, accessible, and inclusive learning and engagement environments.
Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain appropriate boundaries, and appropriately navigate sensitive or complex issues involving student leaders and university stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and contribute to an inclusive campus environment.
Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising a Student Government, student senate, student association, or similar representative governance organization.
Experience developing or coordinating campus-wide civic engagement or voter education initiatives, including voter registration and nonpartisan voter education.
Experience developing curriculum or learning outcomes related to leadership, civic engagement, governance, advocacy, or student development.
Experience with program assessment, learning outcomes, data analysis, and continuous improvement.
Knowledge of higher education governance, shared governance, student rights and responsibilities, freedom of expression, civil discourse, and First Amendment principles.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary professional advisor to Whitewater Student Government and its elected and appointed student leaders.
Provides subject matter expertise regarding student engagement, leadership, governance, civic engagement, and student development to students, campus partners, and internal and external stakeholders.
Advises students on organizational structure, bylaws, elections, parliamentary procedures, policies, advocacy, resolutions, and institutional decision-making.
Supports student agency, leadership transitions, organizational effectiveness, and meaningful student participation in university governance.
Coaches students in leadership, communication, advocacy, collaboration, ethical decision-making, conflict management, and problem-solving.
Supports the planning, implementation, and administration of Whitewater Student Government elections and leadership transition processes in accordance with university policies and WSG governing documents.
Assists with developing onboarding and ongoing training related to governance processes, leadership responsibilities, parliamentary procedure, university policies, and effective representation.
Serves as a liaison between Whitewater Student Government and university offices regarding policies, procedures, initiatives, and issues affecting student governance and student life.
Maintains communication and collaborative relationships with UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support coordination, information sharing, student leadership development, and opportunities for cross-campus civic engagement.
Serves as the professional lead for Warhawks Vote, coordinating university-wide nonpartisan voter education, voter registration, and civic engagement initiatives.
Develops and implements educational programs and resources addressing civic participation, democratic processes, public policy, voting, community engagement, and public service.
Coordinates voter education campaigns, outreach, forums, and partnerships with campus and community organizations.
Advises students in developing informed, ethical, evidence-based approaches to advocacy and civic participation.
Creates opportunities for students to engage with public officials, policymakers, community leaders, civic organizations, and other stakeholders.
Develops and coordinates communications, outreach, and promotional strategies to increase awareness and participation in student governance and civic engagement initiatives.
Evaluates Warhawks Vote and other civic engagement initiatives to measure participation, learning, reach, and impact.
Develops educational opportunities addressing freedom of expression, free inquiry, viewpoint diversity, civil discourse, peaceful assembly, and principled dissent.
Advises student leaders in navigating complex and controversial issues while maintaining appropriate professional neutrality and supporting informed discussion and advocacy.
Facilitates forums, dialogues, panels, debates, and other opportunities for students to engage constructively with differing perspectives.
Helps students develop skills in active listening, perspective-taking, critical inquiry, respectful disagreement, and collaborative problem-solving.
Helps students understand the relationship between freedom of expression, civic responsibility, inclusion, institutional policies, and the rights and responsibilities of members of a university community.
Provides consultation and support to student leaders navigating organizational conflict, challenging governance issues, and sensitive matters, while referring conduct, legal, safety, or other specialized concerns to appropriate university resources.
Refers specialized legal, policy, or conduct questions to appropriate university offices.
Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns.
Organizes student-focused programming and resources to promote new and ongoing educational initiatives.
Serves as a subject matter expert regarding student affairs to internal and external stakeholders.
Generates and analyzes reports of curricular and unit outcomes.
Creates and maintains schedules, logistics, and resources for one or multiple student affairs programs, activities, and/or services.