Position Summary:

The Director of Student Engagement supports the University’s mission of preparing students to become effective leaders in service to their communities providing strategic leadership for student engagement initiatives that foster student involvement, leadership development, belonging, and success. The Director is responsible for the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of comprehensive programs and services that support student engagement, campus traditions, new student transition, First-Year Experience, leadership development, recognized student organizations, and parent and family engagement. Through collaboration with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and campus partners, the Director advances initiatives that promote student learning, persistence, retention, and a vibrant campus community. The Director of Student Engagement reports to the Dean of Students and serves as a member of the Division of Student Affairs.

The Director of Student Engagement supervises the Assistant Director of Student Engagement and student interns assigned to the Office of Student Engagement

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of four years of work experience in higher education.
• Experience working with first-year student services and programs in a post-secondary setting, including demonstrated experience successfully developing and implementing first-year student initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Desirable experience includes work or student participation in one or more of the following areas: student activities, new student orientation, and/or student leadership development.
• Demonstrated experience in budget development/management and assessment.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Job Duties:

•  General Responsibilities
  • Demonstrates behavior and decision-making that reflects the mission, vision, and values of the Office of Student Engagement, the Division of Student Affairs, and Oklahoma City University.
  • Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and student-centered environment that promotes student engagement, belonging, persistence, and success.
  • Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and campus partners to develop and implement programs, services, and initiatives that support student retention and success.
  • Coordinate the development and maintenance of websites, digital resources, and communication platforms for assigned functional areas.
  • Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of the Division of Student Affairs' social media strategy and official social media accounts, collaborating with departments across the division to promote programs, services, initiatives, and student engagement opportunities.
  • Advise and mentor students, making appropriate referrals to campus resources and services as needed.
  • Represent the Office of Student Engagement on university committees, task forces, and collaborative initiatives.
  • Participate in and provide leadership for university events and programs, including evenings and weekends as required.
  • During peak periods, including the beginning and end of each academic term, extended hours are expected.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
• Supervision
  • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Assistant Director of Student Engagement.
  • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate student interns and student employees assigned to the Office of Student Engagement in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Student Engagement.
  • Provide leadership, direction, and professional development opportunities for departmental staff and student employees.
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and supportive team culture focused on student success and continuous improvement.
• Administration and Assessment
  • Provide strategic leadership for the Office of Student Engagement through ongoing planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of programs and services.
  • Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with the Dean of Students to provide updates, discuss priorities, and support divisional initiatives.
  • Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with the Assistant Director of Student Engagement to provide supervision, guidance, and professional development.
  • Attend weekly Dean of Students Office staff meetings and monthly Division of Student Affairs staff meetings.
  • Develop measurable learning outcomes and assessment plans to evaluate program effectiveness and student learning.
  • Utilize assessment data to inform decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement, and guide the development, enhancement, or discontinuation of programs and services.
  • Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets while ensuring responsible stewardship of university resources.
  • Coordinate student engagement, retention, and assessment initiatives in collaboration with campus partners and institutional assessment efforts.
  • Compile, analyze, and submit assessment data for the University's Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Co-Curricular Assessment process.
  • Prepare and submit all required annual reports, Board of Trustees reports, divisional reports, and other institutional reports as assigned.
• Student Engagement and Campus Traditions
  • Provide leadership for the Office of Student Engagement's campus programming, traditions, and engagement initiatives.
  • Oversee the planning, implementation, and assessment of campus-wide programs, activities, and signature events.
  • Advise and support recognized student organizations through organizational registration, advisor development, leadership education, and risk management.
  • Coordinate the planning and implementation of Stars Week, Welcome Week, Homecoming, Late Night Breakfast, New Student Orientation, and other university traditions.
  • Collaborate with campus partners to develop and deliver co-curricular programs and engagement opportunities that support student involvement and campus life.
  • Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures related to student organizations, campus programming, and event management.
• First-Year Experience and New Student Programs
  • Provide strategic leadership for the University's comprehensive First-Year Experience, serving new first-year and undergraduate transfer students.
  • Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and other university partners to develop and implement an integrated First-Year Experience that supports student transition, engagement, and persistence.
  • Serve as a member of the FYE 1000 Course Content Working Group, contributing to the development, assessment, continuous improvement, and successful implementation of the FYE 1000 curriculum.
  • Coordinate the planning, implementation, and assessment of Stars Week, New Student Orientation, and transition programming.
  • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate the Orientation Leader program.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for new students and their families, including digital communications and social media.
  • Coordinate first-year engagement initiatives, educational programs, and transition experiences throughout the academic year.
  • Advise Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.
• Parent and Family Services
  • Provide strategic leadership for the University's Parent and Family Services program, fostering meaningful partnerships between families and the University in support of student success.
  • Coordinate signature parent and family programs, including the Parent & Family Welcome Reception, Parent & Family Day, family communications, newsletters, and Finals Week support initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain year-round communication strategies for parents and family members through print, digital, and social media platforms.
  • Assess parent and family engagement initiatives to ensure they effectively support student transition, persistence, and success.
• Leadership Development
  • Develop, implement, and coordinate leadership workshops, retreats, educational programs, and developmental opportunities that promote student leadership growth and success.
  • Manage the annual Student Leadership Awards process, including nominations, selection, recognition, and event coordination.
  • Serve as a co-lead for NEW Leadership Oklahoma, coordinating the planning, preparation, implementation, and facilitation of the annual program in collaboration with campus and community partners.
  • Assess leadership development initiatives using student learning outcomes, participant feedback, and program assessment data to support continuous improvement.