Assistant/Associate Director of Student Involvement - Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College; Grinnell (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Grinnell College is seeking an Assistant/ Associate Director of Student Involvement and Engagement to shape the first-year student experience. You will design programs for first-year and transfer students, recruit and lead New Student Ambassadors and Peer Mentors, and collaborate with campus units to promote belonging and student success.

You will work with the Dean of Student Involvement to coordinate orientation and transition processes, support co-curricular engagement, and advance retention

Responsibilities

• Oversee summer communication with incoming students and coordinate training and logistics for New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, and the First-Year Experience.
• Plan and implement Welcome Week and Involvement initiatives that connect students to each other and to resources, contributing to retention and belonging.
• Recruit, interview, select, and supervise New Student Ambassadors and Transfer Student Peer Mentors, with regular check-ins.
• Provide general advice to student organizations and review requests for student activity funds.
• Develop goals and learning outcomes that support the department, division, and College missions.
• Collaborate with the Division of Student Affairs and campus partners to coordinate major programs and events.
• Serve as liaison to the Admissions Office to support smooth transitions for new students.

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the first-year student experience? The Assistant/ Associate Director of Student Involvement and Engagement at Grinnell College focuses on enhancing the first-year student experience, supporting transitions for new and transfer students, and fostering meaningful student engagement. In this role, you’ll design and implement innovative programs and initiatives tailored to the specific needs of first-year and transfer students as they transition to life at Grinnell College. You’ll be directly responsible for implementing a holistic student experience, and you’ll recruit, train, and lead the New Student Ambassador and Transfer Student Peer Mentor staff. Working closely with the Dean of Student Involvement, you’ll coordinate and organize all transition and engagement processes for new students. You’ll also actively support student involvement in co-curricular activities, events, and experiences that promote interpersonal and holistic growth. As an intentional educator, you’ll collaborate with the Student Involvement and Engagement team, faculty, staff, and students to develop a comprehensive approach to student success, orientation, and retention on an intellectually rigorous and diverse campus. Most of all, you’ll be pivotal in building a sense of belonging and community among Grinnell College’s diverse student body.

Key Responsibilities Orientation, Transitions, and Retention

• Oversee summer communication with incoming students and coordinate training and logistics for New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, and the First-Year Experience.
• Plan and implement Welcome Week and Involvement initiatives that connect students to one another and important resources, contributing to retention, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.
• Serve actively on the First-Year Experience leadership team.

Supervision and Advising

• Recruit, interview, select, and supervise New Student Ambassadors, New Student Coordinators, Transfer Student Peer Mentors, and Weekend, student staff, providing regular check-ins and educational opportunities.
• Provide general advice to student organizations, review requests for student activity funds, and support their programmatic efforts.

Communication and Assessment

• Manage seasonal updates to the orientation website and resources and gather satisfaction feedback from students to shape future programming.
• Develop, implement, and assess goals and learning outcomes that support the mission of the department, division, and the College.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Serve as liaison to the Admission Office to support a successful transition for incoming students.
• Partner with colleagues across the Division of Student Affairs and campus, assist with major departmental programs and events, and perform other duties as assigned.

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE

Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institution that values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates that align with these values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and belonging within our community and the communities we engage. Ideal candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the mission and values of the college across all constituencies.