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Program Initiatives

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

ExemptHybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Summary:

The Student Engagement and Traditions Coordinator supports the development and execution of campus-wide engagement initiatives that foster student thriving, community connection, and active involvement at American University. This position plays a key role in advising major student programming boards and contributes to the planning and delivery of a wide range of events such as Welcome Weeks, late-night programs, recurring and weekly student engagement programs such as Red Tuesdays, Thank Clawed It’s Wednesday, Thursday Night Live, Friday Night Films and Saturday Night Socials university festivals, class-year programs, and signature traditions. The Coordinator is responsible for event logistics, budget management, adherence to university policies, and supervision of graduate and undergraduate student staff. Success in this role requires strong project management skills, a deep commitment to student development, and the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. Through intentional programming and student support, this position helps create a vibrant, inclusive campus culture that enhances the overall student experience, builds school spirit and promotes community building.

Essential Functions:

1.) Student Advising and Training

• Meet regularly with student leadership cohorts within the assigned functional areas to provide proactive feedback, individualized support, and strategic guidance that promotes personal development, leadership growth, and organizational success. This position serves as the primary advisor for Students for Change, Spirit and Traditions Board, and as the co-advisor for the Student Activity Council, offering ongoing mentorship and high-level event advising, and provides support to other programming boards as needed. In partnership with the Associate Director for Student Programs and Signature Events, the Coordinator will support the planning and implementation of Student Activity Council retreats, trainings and workshops, including collaborations with campus partners. Through this work, the Coordinator fosters a student-centered approach to programming that enhances campus life and encourages collaboration, innovation, and school pride. In coordination with the Associate Director, this role will support the larger student organization community and university as a whole, with the planning and execution of complex, large-scale events and signature campus-wide traditions.

 

2.) Student Engagement and Campus Programming

• This position is responsible for planning and implementing a broad range of programs that enhance the student experience and contribute to a vibrant campus life. This role involves working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful event execution, while continuously refining programming based on student feedback and assessment data. In partnership with the broader Student Engagement team, the Coordinator will support and channel student advocacy, energy, and creativity into the development of a dynamic and inclusive campus experience. This includes establishing new campus traditions with students that foster community and belonging among students, faculty, and staff, as well as designing, implementing, sustaining, and enhancing existing signature events. The Coordinator will also help shape and implement a strategy to increase AU spirit and pride, grounded in the university’s history and culture. Key responsibilities include supporting the planning and execution of Welcome Weeks and a portfolio of recurring student engagement programs, including Red Tuesdays, Thank Clawed It’s Wednesday, Thursday Night Live, and Eagles at Night. The Coordinator will co-chair the Thank Clawed It's Wednesday and Eagles at Night committees, working collaboratively with campus partners to implement these recurring programs. Eagles at Night includes Friday Night Films and Saturday Night Socials, with the Coordinator providing regular staffing support for Friday Night Films in partnership with the Student Engagement team. The Coordinator will also develop cohort and class-based programming for sophomore, transfer, and junior students, with a focus on fostering engagement, connection, and retention.

  

3.) Administration and Budget Management

• Manage budget and oversee funding process for student cohort groups and programming within functional area. Ensure fiscal responsibility, effective planning, effective use of resources, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies and procedures. Create end-of-year reports for assigned functional area. Represent department on university and division-wide committees, including but not limited to, the University Communications Collaborative, and represent the department on All-American Welcome planning committees. Oversee and manage contracting processes for assigned programs and student organizations in accordance with University policies and procedures. Develop and implement systems for assessing student engagement, satisfaction, and feedback related to program attendance and participation, to inform programmatic improvements and demonstrate the impact of engagement. Coordinate program storage, supplies, and resource management. Supervises assigned graduate and undergraduate staff.

 

4.) Marketing, Communications, and Event Production

• This position oversees the department’s digital presence, including the maintenance of the departmental website, newsletters, and related student organization pages. The role manages and sustains a robust and creative social media presence across platforms, with primary responsibility for the CSI Instagram account, social media content calendar, photography, video content, graphic design, and marketing campaigns, ensuring consistent engagement with the campus community for department-led programs and student engagement initiatives. The Coordinator will also coordinate departmental submissions to Student Affairs newsletters and other university-wide communication channels. Serve as the department’s primary point for CSI event pages on the student organization management platform, maintaining event information, records, forms and assessment data in collaboration with the Associate Director. The Coordinator will provide marketing and creative support for student engagement initiatives, including developing marketing campaigns, supporting program branding and providing guidance on promotional strategies and materials. Demonstrating a strong passion for creativity and student outreach, the position collaborates closely with the Student Affairs marketing team and the University Communications & Marketing office on content strategy, social media planning and posting, and day-of content coverage for departmental events and student engagement initiatives. In addition, the position utilizes strong project management and organizational skills to lead the execution of assigned events, overseeing all production elements including audiovisual requirements, space setup, facilities coordination, staging, and other logistical needs to ensure successful event delivery Support major division and university-wide programs, including but not limited to, Commencement, Family Weekend, Summer Send-Offs, Move-In, New Student Orientation, Family and Supporters Orientation, Student Achievement Awards, and Eagles at Night. As a member of the Division of Student Affairs, this position may advise recognized student organizations as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Supervise student staff and graduate assistants.

Competencies:

• Serving Customers.
• Displaying Creativity.
• Prioritizing and Organizing.
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
• Supporting Coworkers.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.
• 35 hours week.
• Staff will work on an adjusted work schedule as needed, including late nights and weekends to support student programs.

Salary Range:

• $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1 - 3 years of relevant experience.

 

Preferred Education and Experience:

•  Master's degree.
•  2 - 4 years of relevant experience.

 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

 

• Inclusive Excellence: An ability to welcome, value, and affirm individuals of all identities and experiences, and a commitment to ensure they are understood, appreciated, and fully included in the university community.
• Discretion, Tact and Diplomacy: Ability to exercise discretion, tact and diplomacy while interacting with students, faculty, university staff, management, internship employers and other stakeholders on confidential and/or sensitive matters.
• Advanced Communication: Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, using language with precision; constructing logical arguments; accurate note taking, editing and summarizing; and writing reports or correspondence free of spelling and grammatical errors. Ability to engage in active and empathetic listening and communicate with a service minded orientation.   
• Thoroughness in Reviewing Work: Ability to review one’s own and others work and information to ensure completeness and accuracy; carefully prepare for meetings and presentations; organize information or materials for others; follow up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled; and set up procedures to ensure high quality of work.
• Student Services Skills: Ability to serve as bridge to services, intervene and/or advocate on students’ behalf with offices across campus to support needs, drive engagement and empower students to achieve their goals.
• Diagnostic Information Gathering: Ability to seek out relevant people to obtain information; probe skillfully to get at the facts when others are reluctant to disclose the full details; ask clarifying questions; and gain a complete and accurate picture by checking multiple sources.
• Standard Office Software: Skill using email, word processing, spreadsheet/ data analysis and presentation development software applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while preparing briefings, reports, and presentations.

 

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [email protected].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.