Student Affairs Generalist

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a part-time Student Affairs Generalist to support divisional initiatives and flexible, cross-functional projects across the Student Affairs division. The role provides varied duties, from event coordination to handling student inquiries and maintaining case records, with approximately 20 hours per week.

It reports to senior leadership and adapts to divisional priorities in a dynamic campus environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred; equivalent education/experience considered.
• 1+ years in higher education or student services.
• Experience with data entry and reporting.
• Ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and events
• Support outreach related to early-alert interventions, referrals, and non-crisis inquiries
• Assist with documentation, scheduling, and case-file organization for student conduct or advocacy
• Help plan and staff campus programming, tabling events, or awareness campaigns
• Assist with data entry, tracking, and basic reporting to support retention and student success
• Take on other short-term or seasonal projects as assigned

Skills

Organization & time mgmt

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication across diverse teams

Event/program coordination

Records management

Discretion with sensitive information

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Penn State Student Affairs seeks a part-time Student Affairs Generalist to support divisional initiatives.

The Student Affairs Generalist (Part-Time) provides flexible, cross-functional support to the Student Affairs division. Rather than supporting a single program area, this role is deployed to assist wherever capacity is needed: covering short-term projects, seasonal peaks, staff vacancies, or emerging initiatives.

This position will report to the Senior Director of Administration and Chief of Staff for Student Affairs and work under the collaborative direction of divisional staff to complete discrete projects and tasks that support a student-centered campus environment.

This is a part-time, flexible, project-based position (approximately 20 hours/week) supporting the Division's broad student affairs functions on an as-needed basis. This role is designed to fill operational and programmatic gaps across student engagement, student success, accountability and care, health and wellness, and administration. The schedule and specific project assignments will shift based on divisional priorities, seasonal demands, and staffing needs, making this an ideal role for someone who thrives with variety and can move fluidly between short-term projects and ongoing support tasks.

Assignment length and hours may be adjusted based on ongoing divisional need; this is intended as an open-ended, recurring part-time role rather than a single fixed-term project.

Representative Duties

Note: Assignments will vary by project and current divisional needs. A given work period may include tasks from several of the areas below rather than all of them.

• Assist with planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and events
• Support outreach efforts related to early-alert interventions, referrals, and general (non-crisis) student inquiries
• Assist with documentation, scheduling, and case-file organization for student conduct or advocacy processes
• Help plan and staff campus programming, tabling events, or awareness campaigns
• Assist with data entry, tracking, and basic reporting to support retention, student success, or other divisional initiatives
• Take on other short-term or seasonal projects as assigned by divisional leadership

This role does not carry primary responsibility for crisis intervention, clinical case management, or independent decision-making on sensitive student matters. Those remain with the unit staff and leadership. The Generalist provides support and coordination around these functions where needed and as appropriate.

Given the flexible, project-based, nature of this role, the following skills are critical:

• Strong organization and time management; able to shift between projects quickly
• Collaboration and communication across diverse teams and offices
• Basic event/program coordination
• Records management and attention to detail
• Comfort with ambiguity and changing priorities
• Discretion and confidentiality with sensitive student information

Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (student affairs, education, psychology, social work, or related) preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered

Minimum Experience: 1+ years of relevant experience in higher education, student services, or a related support role; internship or graduate assistantship experience considered

Compensation: Hourly rate for this job will be based on the successful candidate. Anticipated range is $20-$25/hour.

Background Checks/Clearances

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

There's a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land‑grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.