Assistant Director, Student Engagement

Laseagrant; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a 100% full-time Civil Service Program Coordinator to support Registered Student Organizations through advising, training, and supervision. The role sits within the Department of Student Engagement and collaborates with campus partners on event planning, budgeting, and governance.

The position emphasizes development of educational opportunities for RSO leaders, oversight of board processes, and coordination of student engagement initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience in student education administration, organizational leadership, college student personnel, or related field.
• Master’s degree in a related area may substitute for one year of experience.
• Demonstrated experience advising higher education student organizations, student governments, and/or governing councils.

Responsibilities

• Advise and supervise RSOs and student boards.
• Develop and deliver workshops and trainings for RSO leaders.
• Oversee RSO registration and event registration processes.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify and co-program relevant programs.

Skills

Staff supervision

RSO advising

Event planning

Budgeting

Training delivery

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Job Summary

Under supervision of the Associate Director for Student Engagement (Risk Management), provides advising, education, training, and support for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Primary responsibilities include development and implementation of educational and training opportunities for RSO leaders, advisement of student boards or committees, supervision of full-time staff, and consultation with RSOs and campus partners regarding issues related to event planning, RSO management, intra-group conflict. Serves as a member of the Student Organization Development & Administration (SODA) team within the Department of Student Engagement, a unit within the Student Success, Inclusion, and Belonging area of Student Affairs at Illinois. Student Engagement also includes the Student Organization Finance Center (SOFC), Student Sustainability, and Student Governance.

Duties & Responsibilities

Advisement and Supervision

• Supervise a full-time Coordinator in Student Engagement.
• Assist, as needed, with supervision of student staff.
• Serve as advisor to one of the following:
  • Student Organization Resource Fee (SORF) Board: elected body charged with allocating funding to RSOs.
    • Facilitate training and education for board members and guide organizational development.
    • Oversee record maintenance, fiscal management and reporting, funding standards, and allocation reviews, providing approvals as needed. and recruitment of future board members.
    • Attend funding meetings to provide appropriate guidance and support to board officers and members.
    • Collaborate with Student Engagement team members to ensure SORF policies and processes are incorporated into appropriate orientations and workshops.
    • Supervise student staff hired by the Board for operations.
      • Illinois Student Government (ISG) Committees, Leadership, and/or Chairs.
    • Serve as a co-advisor, along with the Director of Student Engagement, providing support and guidance to ISG.
    • Attend meetings, one-on-one’s, etc.
    • Facilitate training and education regarding relevant processes and procedures (e.g. University Budget and Finance processes for purchasing).
    • Assist with the onboarding process of new members of ISG.

Student Organization Education and Training

• Development and implementation of workshops, round tables, training, and other educational opportunities for RSO leaders.
  • Conduct needs assessments, identify learning outcomes, create curriculum, assess effectiveness.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify existing programs relevant to RSO leaders and to explore opportunities for co-programming.
• Conduct various educational programs and train both professional and student staff in facilitating programs.

Student Organization Administration

• Oversee the RSO registration and event registration processes.
• Serve as point of contact for issues and concerns related to RSO registration and event registration.
• As needed, lead the coordination of the awarding of RSO scholarships.
  • Communicate with Student Affairs Advances and/or donors regarding the scholarship requirements, application and decision-making processes.
  • Manage the process from timeline development through communication to award recipients, serving as a reviewer as/if needed.
• As needed, participate in RSO stewardship and donor relations, including but not limited to working with student org members to solicit donations and thank donors in coordination with Student Affairs Advancement.

Student Engagement Administration

• Participate as a member of the overall Student Engagement team by attending staff meetings, staff development meetings, etc.
• Participate in the coordination and implantation of the annual Quad Day (August) and Student Org Expo (January/February).
• Participate in marketing and outreach activities throughout the year.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform other duties as assigned (including service on campus committees) to advance the unit, department, and division.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience in student education administration, organizational leadership, college student personnel or a related field.
  • (Note: Master’s Degreein an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substitutedfor one (1) year of work experience).
• Demonstrated experience advising higher education student organizations, student governments, and/or governing councils.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, College Student Development, Student Affairs, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience advising student government, funding boards, or other council of elected representatives.
• Experience in budgeting and expense management.
• Experience working with student organizations in a university setting.
• Experience in developing training or educational sessions.
• Experience in event planning.
• Experience advising or mentoring students.
• Experience in interpreting policy, managing work processes, or collaborating with others.
• Experience coordinating projects with stakeholders across multiple areas/units.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of college/university student development theory.
• Ability to interpret policy, exercise keen judgment, and adapt to changing conditions successfully.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build solid relationships with campus partners.
• Ability to manage multiple and complex priorities within a fast-paced environment where interruptions may be frequent.
• Knowledge of student organization/engagement management software.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 1/4/2027. The budgeted salary range for the position is $56,000 - $61,000. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first‑generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far‑reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well‑being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].