Coordinator Student Transitions and Engagement

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian university department is seeking a Coordinator for Student Transitions and Engagement to support the orientation, transition, and retention of students. The successful candidate will design and implement programs, mentor student staff, and collaborate on diverse campus initiatives. Ideal applicants will have a degree in social sciences along with experience in program design and student supervision. This is a temporary full-time role based in Guelph, Ontario with competitive benefits and a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Immediate enrollment in extended health benefits

Strong vacation allocation

Wellness programming and spending credits

Professional growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in community development or higher education.
• Experience in learning outcome development and assessment.
• Skills to communicate effectively with distressed students.

Responsibilities

• Support orientation, transition, and retention programming for students.
• Design and assess events, presentations, and mentorship initiatives.
• Liaise with campus groups to develop programming infrastructure.

Skills

Program design

Community development

Interpersonal communication

Student supervision

Public speaking

Collaboration

Education

Degree in social sciences, social work, or related field

Tools

Microsoft365

Job description

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Coordinator Student Transitions and Engagement

Location: Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Requisition ID: 2051

Department: Student Experience
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full‑time from 02/11/2026 to 04/30/2027
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

The Department of Student Experience is committed to supporting all students at the University of Guelph. Student Experience houses many specialized supports for students identifying as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, racialised, people of colour, and/or members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community, and members of cultural, international, religious, and spiritual communities. We welcome applicants sharing through their application the ways in which they believe they can contribute to the diversity of thought, approach, and practice in Student Experience.

The Student Engagement and Leadership unit requires an experienced professional in the role of Coordinator, Student Transitions and Engagement, to support the orientation, transition, and retention of identified student populations through pre‑arrival, orientation, early intervention, transition, and retention programming. This work involves designing, implementing, and assessing events, presentations, workshops, mentorship initiatives, and population‑specific programming, both in‑person and online.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent liaises regularly with individuals and groups across campus to develop a programming infrastructure to support the transition, persistence, and development of identified student populations, including new students, transfer students, and students at‑risk of not completing their degree.

The Coordinator designs, oversees, and assesses student‑to‑student mentorship opportunities to support student transition. This involves recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising a team of approximately 10–15 student staff during the academic year who provide one‑to‑one and group support to students at‑risk of not completing their degree through weekly, bi‑weekly, or monthly engagement sessions.

In collaboration with other Coordinators in the department, the incumbent will recruit, hire, and train 5–6 full‑time summer student staff who plan and support pre‑arrival and transition programs.

They represent the department at a range of institutional events, meetings, and programs, and contribute to the strategic direction and day‑to‑day operations of a variety of areas within the Student Engagement and Leadership team.

The Coordinator participates in the development and implementation of action plans and associated budgets for the unit, including annual budgeting and forecasting processes.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, the incumbent is required to have:

• A degree in social sciences, social work, higher education, or another related field, coupled with several years of progressive experience working in community development and/or higher education.
• Experience in program design, learning outcome development, and assessment.
• Experience in devising strategies to support retention in a community.
• Experience in supervision of student staff.
• Experience with designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs for student staff.
• Skills to effectively communicate with students who may be distressed or emotionally distraught, or who may face other difficulties.
• Ability to collaborate amongst diverse groups.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including a high level of judgment and diplomacy.
• Skills to present in front of large groups in‑person and online (e.g. 400+ people).
• A strong aptitude in written, verbal, and non‑verbal communication.
• Intermediate level Microsoft365, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

WHY JOIN US?

• Improve Life: Be involved in work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action. Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family.
• Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best.
• Wellness: In addition to wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development.
• Learning & Development: In addition to supported and formal training into your role, other professional growth opportunities are prioritized at the University.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10530018
Classification: P&M FT- Band 03
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 87% of midpoint for the salary grade.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 12/23/2025
Closing Date: 01/02/2026