Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement - Civic Engagement

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Whitewater (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is seeking a Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement to advise and support Whitewater Student Government and related civic initiatives.

This role empowers student leaders through advising, education, and subject‑matter expertise on governance, leadership, advocacy, and civil discourse, while collaborating with campus partners and cross‑campus groups to expand civic engagement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student affairs, student engagement, leadership development, public administration, political science, education, communications, or a related field.
• Professional experience working with college students in student engagement, leadership development, student governance, civic engagement, advising, or a related area.
• Experience advising, mentoring, or developing student leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate educational programs, workshops, trainings, or other student learning experiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student leadership, organizational development, student governance, civic engagement, and student development practices.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and digital communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary professional advisor to Whitewater Student Government and its elected and appointed student leaders.
• Provides subject matter expertise regarding student engagement, leadership, governance, civic engagement, and student development to students, campus partners, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Advises students on organizational structure, bylaws, elections, parliamentary procedures, policies, advocacy, resolutions, and institutional decision‑making.
• Supports student agency, leadership transitions, organizational effectiveness, and meaningful student participation in university governance.
• Coaches students in leadership, communication, advocacy, collaboration, ethical decision‑making, conflict management, and problem‑solving.
• Supports the planning, implementation, and administration of Whitewater Student Government elections and leadership transition processes in accordance with university policies and WSG governing documents.
• Assists with developing onboarding and ongoing training related to governance processes, leadership responsibilities, parliamentary procedure, university policies, and effective representation.
• Serves as a liaison between Whitewater Student Government and university offices regarding policies, procedures, initiatives, and issues affecting student governance and student life.
• Maintains communication and collaborative relationships with UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support coordination, information sharing, student leadership development, and opportunities for cross‑campus civic engagement.
• Helps coordinate Warhawks Vote, the university’s nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement initiative.

Skills

Student engagement

Leadership development

Civic engagement

Advising

Governance

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student affairs, student engagement, leadership development, public administration, political science, education, communications, or related field

Job description

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Position Title:

Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement - Civic Engagement - University Center

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Student Affairs Program Specialist

Job Duties:

Attention:

The University Center in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement (Student Affairs Program Specialist, AE192).

The Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement serves as the primary professional resource for Whitewater Student Government (WSG), student leadership within governance, and civic engagement initiatives for the Student Engagement unit. The position empowers student leaders through advising, coaching, education, and subject matter expertise related to student governance, leadership development, civic participation, advocacy, freedom of expression, civil discourse, and effective organizational leadership.

The program specialist provides professional advising and operational support to Whitewater Student Government, helping student leaders navigate university policies, governance processes, communications, programming, and campus partnerships while fostering meaningful student voice and participation. The position maintains a collaborative connection with the UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support communication, coordination, and opportunities for shared leadership and civic engagement across both campus locations. The position also coordinates Warhawks Vote, the university’s nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement initiative, and develops educational programs, training, curriculum, and resources that promote civic learning, participation, critical inquiry, and engagement across diverse perspectives.

The specialist coordinates/assists with program logistics, communications, assessment, partnerships, and continuous improvement for Whitewater Student Government and related civic engagement initiatives. Working collaboratively with campus partners, the position serves as a resource and connector for student leadership and civic engagement efforts while reducing barriers to participation and strengthening opportunities for students to develop leadership, advocacy, governance, and civic skills. Through advising, relationship building, and intentional educational experiences, the position supports an environment where students are prepared to lead, participate meaningfully in university governance, and contribute to a vibrant campus community.

Reports to the Executive Director of Student Engagement and works collaboratively with Student Engagement leadership and campus partners to advance student governance and civic engagement initiatives. Work hours will vary based on program, governance, and campus engagement needs and will include occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Essential Responsibilities:

Governance

• Serves as the primary professional advisor to Whitewater Student Government and its elected and appointed student leaders.
• Provides subject matter expertise regarding student engagement, leadership, governance, civic engagement, and student development to students, campus partners, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Advises students on organizational structure, bylaws, elections, parliamentary procedures, policies, advocacy, resolutions, and institutional decision‑making.
• Supports student agency, leadership transitions, organizational effectiveness, and meaningful student participation in university governance.
• Coaches students in leadership, communication, advocacy, collaboration, ethical decision‑making, conflict management, and problem‑solving.
• Supports the planning, implementation, and administration of Whitewater Student Government elections and leadership transition processes in accordance with university policies and WSG governing documents.
• Assists with developing onboarding and ongoing training related to governance processes, leadership responsibilities, parliamentary procedure, university policies, and effective representation.
• Serves as a liaison between Whitewater Student Government and university offices regarding policies, procedures, initiatives, and issues affecting student governance and student life.
• Maintains communication and collaborative relationships with UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support coordination, information sharing, student leadership development, and opportunities for cross‑campus civic engagement.

Civic Engagement

• Serves as the professional lead for Warhawks Vote, coordinating university‑wide nonpartisan voter education, voter registration, and civic engagement initiatives.
• Develops and implements educational programs and resources addressing civic participation, democratic processes, public policy, voting, community engagement, and public service.
• Coordinates voter education campaigns, outreach, forums, and partnerships with campus and community organizations.
• Advises students in developing informed, ethical, evidence‑based approaches to advocacy and civic participation.
• Creates opportunities for students to engage with public officials, policymakers, community leaders, civic organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Develops and coordinates communications, outreach, and promotional strategies to increase awareness and participation in student governance and civic engagement initiatives.
• Evaluates Warhawks Vote and other civic engagement initiatives to measure participation, learning, reach, and impact.

Freedom of Expression & Civil Discourse

• Develops educational opportunities addressing freedom of expression, free inquiry, viewpoint diversity, civil discourse, peaceful assembly, and principled dissent.
• Advises student leaders in navigating complex and controversial issues while maintaining appropriate professional neutrality and supporting informed discussion and advocacy.
• Facilitates forums, dialogues, panels, debates, and other opportunities for students to engage constructively with differing perspectives.
• Helps students develop skills in active listening, perspective‑taking, critical inquiry, respectful disagreement, and collaborative problem‑solving.
• Helps students understand the relationship between freedom of expression, civic responsibility, inclusion, institutional policies, and the rights and responsibilities of members of a university community.
• Provides consultation and support to student leaders navigating organizational conflict, challenging governance issues, and sensitive matters, while referring conduct, legal, safety, or another specialized concerns to appropriate university resources.
• Refers specialized legal, policy, or conduct questions to appropriate university offices.

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e‑verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns
• Organizes student-focused programming and resources to promote new and ongoing educational initiatives
• Serves as a subject matter expert regarding student affairs to internal and external stakeholders
• Generates and analyzes reports of curricular and unit outcomes
• Creates and maintains schedules, logistics, and resources for one or multiple student affairs programs, activities, and/or services

Department:

University Center

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $52,000 - $55,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student affairs, student engagement, leadership development, public administration, political science, education, communications, or a related field.
• Professional experience working with college students in student engagement, leadership development, student governance, civic engagement, advising, or a related area.
• Experience advising, mentoring, or developing student leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate educational programs, workshops, trainings, or other student learning experiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student leadership, organizational development, student governance, civic engagement, and student development practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through written, verbal, interpersonal, and digital communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising a Student Government, student senate, student association, or similar representative governance organization.
• Experience developing or coordinating campus-wide civic engagement or voter education initiatives, including voter registration and nonpartisan voter education.
• Experience developing curriculum or learning outcomes related to leadership, civic engagement, governance, advocacy, or student development.
• Experience with program assessment, learning outcomes, data analysis, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of higher education governance, shared governance, student rights and responsibilities, freedom of expression, civil discourse, and First Amendment principles.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with students, campus partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to organize multiple programs, projects, schedules, and priorities.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate program and student learning assessment data.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating welcoming, equitable, accessible, and inclusive learning and engagement environments.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain appropriate boundaries, and appropriately navigate sensitive or complex issues involving student leaders and university stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and contribute to an inclusive campus environment
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world‑class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high‑impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one‑third first‑generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division‑III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13‑campus Universities of Wisconsin ( https://www.wisconsin.edu ).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies.

We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.