Assistant Director of Student Engagement

LOCATION

This position is fully on-site and requires a regular presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Student Engagement supports the development and implementation of student engagement initiatives that enhance student involvement, leadership development, campus traditions, and student success. This position assists with the coordination and advisement of student activities, Student Government Association (SGA), registered student organizations (RSOs), student travel, orientation and welcome activities, student service projects, and campus events. The Assistant Director collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and external partners to promote a vibrant and inclusive campus environment while supporting institutional policies and procedures related to student activities and travel. Evening and weekend hours are required based on programming and event needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for managing the student event request process and the student travel request process.
• Oversee the elections process for all Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), including Student Government Association (SGA).
• Train and advise RSO leaders on the guidelines for hosting events, meetings, fundraisers, and engaging in community service activities. 
• Maintain relationships with vendors and initiate review and routing of vendor contracts. 
• Support the management of student organization budgets, as well as student activities and events budgets.
• Coordinate student-facing logistics and programming related to orientation and welcome activities.
• Maintain student programming traditions for the College.
• Interact effectively as a member of a team, work collaboratively with other departments, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Demonstrate the highest standard of professionalism in all aspects of personal and professional actions and performance.
• Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of student records in accordance with FERPA laws and regulations.
• Provide service to the college community and students through serving on various committees and providing leadership, mentorship, and expertise to students as needed. 
• Participate in professional organizations or groups as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Support Services.
• Demonstrate adaptability and willingness to assist the colleges in fulfilling the mission and vision through administrative duties and community service. 
• Advance the prestige of ACHE through advancement of its mission and vision.
• Assist with developing and managing the departmental budget
• Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive student engagement strategy aligned with institutional mission and student success goals.
• Assist with the vision, planning, scheduling, and cross-departmental coordination of major student events and institutional traditions, including new student orientations, White Coat Ceremony, OT Draft Day, Commencement, and other large-scale student programs.
• Provide leadership and direction for student engagement initiatives and peer leadership programs.
• Assess the effectiveness of student engagement initiatives through data collection, participation tracking, and student feedback.
• Prepare reports regarding student involvement, programming outcomes, and departmental effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, student conduct expectations, and risk management procedures related to student activities and travel.
• Assist with event safety planning and emergency response coordination as needed.
• Promote an inclusive campus environment that encourages student involvement, belonging, leadership development, and cross-cultural engagement.
• Develop leadership development opportunities and training programs for student leaders and registered student organizations.
• Assist with promotion and marketing of student engagement initiatives through digital communication and campus outreach.
• Other duties assigned by the Executive Director of Student Services or their designee.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in higher education setting.
• Experience in campus programming and student group advising.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in student personnel services or closely related field.
• Experience in student activities, student life, event planning, or other related higher education fields.
• Previous student activities experience at a health professions college or medical school.
• Experience with presentations, events, and exemplary customer service.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Ability to work with diverse student body 
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and proof of insurance required. 
• Ability to prepare and present information to small and large groups.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, goal-oriented atmosphere, both independently and as part of a unified team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products including SharePoint, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Display professionalism for the college in all communication and interactions.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

ACHE is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate regarding applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary. The following are essential abilities and physical requirements for all positions at the college.

• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others with strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
• Ability to understand oral and written information, using the English language, and organize thoughts and ideas into effective forms of communication.
• Ability to make decisions which range from moderate to a significant impact on the immediate work environment, as well as outside contributors.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of ACHE to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment to solve problems of both routine and complex nature.
• Expertise in negotiation.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.
• May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off-campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• May require significant travel or work away from campus.
• Requires attendance at events representing ACHE both within as well as outside of the college setting.
• Frequently required to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Frequently required to see for purposes of reading matter.
• Frequently required to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Occasionally required to lift items in a normal office environment.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Frequently required to operate office and presentation equipment.

If you need assistance in the application process because of a disability, or any other reason, please contact Vicki Broadaway, Vice President and Chief People Officer, at 479.308.2290 or [email protected].

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is an equal opportunity employer.