About the Department:

Contemporary Student Services disrupts normative views and systemic obstacles of education to amplify the success of contemporary college students at Mason. We advocate, celebrate, educate, and serve to create and support a contemporary community where each student belongs, realizes, and thrives.

Our contemporary students are students who have had more experiences than most college students in their lives before coming to Mason. They have been working professionals, have families, and so much more. They may have experienced things a lot of other students haven’t, like – being in the foster care system or in the military. They are students who don’t always see themselves reflected or fully supported in college outreach materials or campus programming.

About the Position:

The Coordinator for Contemporary Student Services is responsible for implementing initiatives to assist contemporary students and train faculty and staff to better assist contemporary student populations, leading transfer initiatives, managing Contemporary Student Appreciation Week, as well as supervising and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities:

Implement and Market CSS Initiatives

• Creates, implements, and sustains transfer initiatives, including Welcome2Mason, National Transfer Student Week, and other programs and initiatives to increase sense of belonging;
• Assists in executing programmatic initiatives focused on increased engagement for contemporary student populations;
• Coordinates and manages scheduling and logistics of student employees to support tabling, peer mentor engagement, outreach, panel participation, and program support;
• Tracks resources, including budgets from CSS as well as Preamble and W2M;
• Supports the assessment and reporting of initiatives and programming; Supports the maintenance and updates CSS web site and marketing collateral;
• Assists with the Gowns for Grads regalia lending program;
• Markets programs and services geared towards contemporary populations; and
• Participates in implementation of new departmental initiatives, including but not limited to UL strategic initiatives. 

Facilitate and Support Collaborations 

• Advocates for and with contemporary students;
• Creates and sustains partnerships with campus stakeholders for programmatic and educational engagement;
• Consults with offices with initiatives related to contemporary student populations, such as Admissions, ADVANCE, Office of Military Services, the College of Science, etc. to coordinate and cross-promote efforts to better serve contemporary students;
• Participates in university, divisional, and unit-based events, including but not limited to, New Student Orientation, Preamble, UL All-Staff Meetings, I-Team meetings, CSS programs, and other stakeholder-related programs;
• Presents at university conferences and development opportunities (as well as regional and national opportunities as available/able); and
• Serves on university committees as determined by leadership. 

Supervision 

• Recruits, develops, supervises, and coaches student staff;
• Establishes expectations, goals, and objectives for student staff;
• Evaluates and develops staff via one-on-one meetings and completes a semester Skill Survey process;
• Coaches and mentors student staff to host community gatherings and other such activities;
• Chairs the Contemporary Student Advisory Board; and
• Supervises Graduate Assistant(s); Supervises intern(s)/practicum students, as needed. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience; 
• Experience with cross-departmental collaborations;
• Experience serving and supporting diverse student populations;
• Experience working with students in transitions and/or contemporary populations;
• Marketing and programming/event experience;
• Working knowledge of current student trends for contemporary populations;
• Working knowledge of student leadership and training;
• Demonstrated knowledge of inclusion, intersectionality, and equity work;
• Advanced interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
• Organizational management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling to meet a multitude of deadlines and responsibilities;
• Ability to make independent decisions on behalf of and in conjunction with unit, departmental, divisional, and university missions and initiatives;
• Leadership and supervision abilities;
• Ability to supervise, train, support, and grow student staff; and
• Commitment to diversity and comfortable working within diverse populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Has lived experience as a contemporary student (adult learners, student parents, online learners, foster care alumni, online learners, transfer students, military or veteran-connected students, system-impacted students);
• Experience with conducting academic research, such as a senior thesis or capstone project, regarding contemporary students;
• Demonstrated experience supporting contemporary students;
• Experience with community college(s);
• Experience in database management;
• Experience leading a team, managing resources, and creating an environment of respect and growth;
• Experience gathering and presenting data; and
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and strong follow-through.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Coordinator for Contemporary Student Services at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: December 13, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 31, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes