Position Summary

The Program and Operations Coordinator supports the mission, programs, and daily operations of Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD) within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity at San Diego State University. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, this position leads and coordinates graduate student programming, operations, outreach, and retention initiatives while collaborating with campus and community partners to enhance graduate student success, belonging, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and support the daily operations of Graduate Life and Diversity, including space management, communications, budget projections, and administrative functions.
• Develop, implement, and assess educational, leadership, community-building, and diversity-focused programs and signature events for graduate students.
• Support graduate student recruitment, retention, advising, and mentorship efforts in collaboration with campus partners and academic units.
• Lead and provide work direction to student assistants, interns, and volunteers, including training, supervision, and program coordination.
• Manage outreach, communications, and reporting efforts, including marketing materials, social media, newsletters, websites, and annual reports.

Why Apply?

• Make a meaningful impact supporting graduate student success, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment focused on leadership development and student engagement.
• Gain experience leading programs, operations, and strategic initiatives within Student Affairs.
• Partner with campus and community stakeholders to advance graduate student outreach, retention, and enrichment.
• Build leadership and supervisory experience while supporting student assistants and peer-led initiatives.

Join Graduate Life and Diversity and help shape an inclusive, engaging graduate student experience at SDSU. Apply now!

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of October 31, 2026, with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, with advance notice)
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, the incumbent has responsibility for leading various initiatives in Graduate Life and Diversity. 

This position, in collaboration with the Program Director , provides support to GLaD. The program coordinator helps with innovative efforts to provide an integrated approach to identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and practices directed toward improving the center’s student outreach and yield, academic success, leadership and professional development, inclusion and retention, and enrichment of the overall students’ experience. The incumbent helps to support student assistants, manages programs, and events in the center, and oversees some aspects of the operations. The incumbent collaborates with the Program Director of GLaD, Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, Subdivision of Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Division of Academic Affairs, students, staff, and campus/community partners to implement workshops, programs, and services of the Center. 

This position will/may be called upon as a resource in responding to sensitive equity, crisis, and individualized issues as they relate to students of the center. This position will serve as a mentor and advisor to students and will work with student assistants to design and deliver programs/workshops for graduate  students. This position will promote the GLaD and raise awareness of students’ success and excellence  through supporting events/programs, written materials and representation on campus-wide committees.

For more information regarding the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field; including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related. Possession of the required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required.

A master’s degree in counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of student and leadership development theory, identity development models, and group and individual behavior principles, with the ability to apply these concepts in practice.
• Ability to design, develop, implement, deliver, and evaluate educational programs, training workshops, and student-centered initiatives.
• Demonstrated cultural competence, including sensitivity to the social, political, personal, and cross-cultural needs of students from diverse backgrounds, and competency in cross-cultural communication.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and campus partners on issues related to diversity, community, and student success.
• Ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment when responding to sensitive, complex, or emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects independently, prioritize work effectively, and follow through with minimal direction.
• Leadership and facilitation skills, including the ability to recruit, train, support, and guide student staff and volunteers, facilitate difficult dialogues, and build consensus within diverse groups.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,540 - $7,893/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $5,540/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by February 3, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at pythao@sdsu.edu.