Student Government & Civic Engagement Programs Lead

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

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.