Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement

IMDiversity; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN seeks an Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement to lead identity development, belonging, and cultural programming within SEE.

You will supervise student leaders, collaborate campus-wide, and advance programs that empower diverse students to thrive.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs, Leadership, Counseling, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in student engagement, student affairs, multicultural student engagement, leadership development, or related areas.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and proven competency in engaging effectively with diverse student populations and community stakeholders.
• Direct professional experience advising, coaching, and mentoring student organizations and student leaders.
• Highly developed interpersonal, intercultural, and oral and written communication abilities.
• Comprehensive understanding of student development theory, identity development frameworks, and student privacy standards (including FERPA).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive student engagement strategy aligning with SEE priorities.
• Collaborate across SEE and campus partners to integrate Multicultural Student Engagement throughout the student experience.
• Support orientation and leadership development initiatives with staff.
• Supervise Multicultural Student Engagement Ambassadors and coordinate space utilization and budget.
• Utilize assessment tools and feedback to improve learning and engagement outcomes.
• Serve on university committees to enhance student engagement, retention, and success.

Skills

Leadership development

Student engagement

Intercultural communication

Mentoring student leaders

Public speaking

FERPA knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education Administration or related field

3-5 years of relevant professional experience

Job description

Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement
Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN

Type: Full-Time
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Category: Student Affairs and Services; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Services

Overview of Position

The Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement (ME) is a member of the Office of Student Engagement & Experiences (SEE) and reports to the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement. The Assistant Director advances the department's commitment to helping every student find connection, purpose, and belonging at Valparaiso University. Through the interconnected areas of student identity development, leadership, student organizations, and cultural engagement, the Assistant Director creates transformative opportunities that empower students to explore who they are, learn from others, celebrate diverse perspectives, and actively shape their Valpo experience. Guided by the University's mission to lead and serve while building lives for good, this position fosters an engaged campus community where every student has opportunities to thrive.

The Assistant Director collaborates extensively with colleagues in the Office of Student Engagement & Experiences, across the Division of Student Life, and campus community partners to develop programs, leadership initiatives, educational experiences, and campus traditions that strengthen students' sense of belonging and engagement. This position serves as a campus leader in cultivating opportunities that connect students to one another, encourage dialogue, and prepare graduates to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Student Life Mission Statement

The Student Life Division at Valparaiso University engages proactively in the holistic development of students to help them learn, grow, and strive toward their fullest potential within an inclusive and supportive community. Focused specifically on the student experience, the members of the Student Life staff work to encourage students to be actively engaged in campus life and learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

Position Qualifications and Requirements

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs, Leadership, Counseling, or a related field.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in student engagement, student affairs, multicultural student engagement, leadership development, or related areas.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and proven competency in engaging effectively with diverse student populations and community stakeholders.
• Direct professional experience advising, coaching, and mentoring student organizations and student leaders.
• Highly developed interpersonal, intercultural, and oral and written communication abilities.
• Comprehensive understanding of student development theory, identity development frameworks, and student privacy standards (including FERPA).

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Proven experience recruiting, training, supervising, and mentoring student staff and student ambassadors.
• Demonstrated expertise in large-scale event management, including campus-wide cultural celebrations, heritage month initiatives, and speaker series.
• Experience developing and facilitating student leadership curricula and structured dialogue programs.
• Familiarity with student engagement software platforms, student organization management, and institutional financial/budgetary procedures.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across divisional lines with faculty, staff, alumni, and external community partners.
• Capacity to operate independently, solve problems proactively, and prioritize multiple complex assignments simultaneously.
• Alignment with the mission of a university dedicated to Christian higher education in the Lutheran tradition.

Position Responsibilities

Contribute to Student Engagement Vision & Mission

• Develop and implement a comprehensive student engagement strategy that advances identity development, belonging, intercultural learning, leadership development, and cultural celebration in alignment with Student Life strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with Office of Student Engagement & Experiences colleagues to ensure Multicultural Student Engagement is integrated throughout the student experience, including New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, leadership development, student organizations, campus traditions, and co-curricular programming.
• Support the University's New Student Orientation experience by assisting with event logistics, supervising orientation leaders, and managing orientation leader training and program coordination in conjunction with Student Engagement & Experiences staff.
• Serve as a good steward of the Multicultural Student Center by supervising student leaders who oversee day-to-day facility operations, and collaborate with the Harre Union team to coordinate space utilization, operational planning, and facility needs while ensuring adherence to University policies and procedures.
• Utilize assessment tools, student feedback, participation metrics, and national best practices to evaluate initiatives and continuously improve student learning and engagement outcomes.
• Contribute to the overall vision, strategic planning, assessment, and daily operations of the Office of Student Engagement & Experiences (SEE).
• Collaborate across functional areas to support campus-wide engagement initiatives, major university events, and divisional priorities.
• Manage fiscal and budgetary responsibilities for Multicultural Student Engagement accounts and programs.
• Serve on University committees, divisional workgroups, and institutional task forces that enhance student engagement, retention, and success.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement.

Student Identity Development & Belonging

• Develop initiatives that empower students to explore, affirm, and develop their individual and collective identities through mentorship, structured dialogue, reflection, and experiential leadership opportunities.
• Provide individualized advising, coaching, and mentoring to students navigating identity development, leadership opportunities, and interpersonal challenges.
• Recruit, supervise, train, and mentor Multicultural Student Engagement Ambassadors, supporting their professional growth and peer leadership capacity.
• Co-develop and co-facilitate student leadership curricula that prepare students to lead with empathy, cultural awareness, collaboration, and civic responsibility.

Student Organizations & Leadership Development

• Advise culturally-based student organizations by providing ongoing leadership coaching, organizational development, officer transition training, event planning guidance, and strategic consultation.
• Advise the Student Leadership Cultural Council, fostering purposeful collaboration among student organizations, promoting cultural awareness, identifying opportunities for co-sponsorship, and elevating student voices within the Division of Student Life.
• Facilitate leadership development workshops and training sessions that strengthen student organization capacity, governance, and collaborative campus programming.
• Support student organizations in conceptualizing and executing high-impact cultural programming that enrich campus life and encourages broad student participation.
• Assist with broader student organization management by collaborating with the Office of Student Engagement & Experiences staff on student org event advising, financial paperwork, budget reconciliation, and dedicated office hours to support student organization success.

Student Programming & Cultural Engagement

• Lead the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of campus-wide cultural celebrations, heritage and awareness month initiatives, educational workshops, keynote speakers, performances, and community-wide engagement opportunities.
• Facilitate dialogue experiences and community conversations that strengthen campus relationships, encourage thoughtful intergroup discussion, and foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging.
• Build and sustain collaborative partnerships with faculty, staff, academic departments, student organizations, alumni, and local community organizations to expand educational opportunities and deepen student engagement.