Coordinator Student Transitions and Engagement

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Guelph is seeking a Coordinator, Student Transitions and Engagement to support orientation, transition, and retention initiatives for diverse student populations. You will lead pre-arrival and on‑going programming within the Student Engagement and Leadership unit.

The role requires program design, mentorship oversight, and collaboration with campus partners to foster student success across the university community.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in community development or higher education.
• Experience designing programs, learning outcomes, and assessing effectiveness.
• Experience developing strategies for student/community retention.
• Experience recruiting, training, and supervising student staff.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and assess events, presentations, workshops, mentorship initiatives, and population-specific programming.
• Recruit, hire, training, and supervise approximately 10–15 student staff during the academic year.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop a coordinated programming infrastructure.
• Contribute to unit action plans and the budgeting/forecasting processes.
• Represent the department at events, meetings, and programs.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Collaboration

Judgement and diplomacy

Education

Undergraduate degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Higher Education, or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Coordinator Student Transitions and Engagement

Location: Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Requisition ID: 3011

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

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, racialized, 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 supporting students within the department of Student Experience.

Reporting within the Student Engagement and Leadership unit, the Coordinator, Student Transitions and Engagement supports the orientation, transition, and retention of identified student populations through pre-arrival, orientation, early intervention, transition, and retention programming. The Coordinator develops initiatives that support new students, transfer students, and students at risk of not completing their degree.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Coordinator designs, implements, and assesses events, presentations, workshops, mentorship initiatives, and population-specific programming, both in-person and online. The incumbent works regularly with individuals and groups across campus to develop a coordinated programming infrastructure that supports student transition, persistence, and development. The Coordinator designs, oversees, and assesses student-to-student mentorship opportunities that support student transition and retention. This includes recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising approximately 10–15 student staff during the academic year. These staff provide individual and group support through weekly, biweekly, or monthly engagement sessions to students at risk of not completing their degree. In collaboration with other Coordinators in the department, the incumbent recruits, hires, and trains approximately five to six full-time summer student staff who plan and support pre-arrival and transition programs. The Coordinator represents the department at institutional events, meetings, and programs. The incumbent also contributes to the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of areas within the Student Engagement and Leadership team. The Coordinator participates in the development and implementation of unit action plans and associated budgets, including annual budgeting and forecasting processes.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Higher Education, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in community development, higher education, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience designing and implementing programs, developing learning outcomes, and assessing program effectiveness.
• Experience developing strategies that support student or community retention.
• Experience recruiting, training, supervising, and supporting student staff.
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs for student staff.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students who may be distressed, emotionally distraught, or experiencing other difficulties.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including a high level of judgment and diplomacy.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, including experience presenting to large groups of 400 or more participants in person and online.
• Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10530018

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: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026