Student Engagement & Leadership Specialist

Student success at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside is measured by each student's academic progress, persistence, and degree completion. To support these outcomes, the University utilizes a coordinated care approach in which members of the Student Engagement & Development team collaborate closely with campus partners to deliver holistic, student-centered support. Through this model, staff share responsibility for ensuring that students receive timely, proactive, and integrated services both inside and outside the classroom. This collaborative, team-based approach ensures that students experience a seamless network of care designed to support their individual success.

In addition to the coordinated care work referenced above, the Student Engagement and Leadership Specialist is responsible for providing educational, social/cultural, and leadership programming through efforts that include oversight and support of student organizations, the creation and implementation of a student leadership development program, and the coordination of campus wide programming. Additionally, the Student Engagement and Leadership Specialist serves as the primary advisor to all student organizations with administrative responsibility for the student organization registration process.

Reporting to the Student Development and Engagement Manager, the position is identified as a Campus Security Authority for Clery compliance purposes. This position requires some evening and weekend work accomplished through flex scheduling and complete other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in the areas of campus activities and engagement.

• Ability to work some nights and weekends dependent on campus programming.

• Ability to clearly articulate information about policies, procedures, involvement

• opportunities, and campus resources.

• Ability to create an open and welcoming environment for all students.

• Ability to support and relate to the varying abilities, backgrounds, and experiences of students.

• Ability to establish a climate of trust in which student organizations feel free to ask questions, express concerns, revise ideas, make decisions, and share personal experiences and knowledge.

• Ability to work independently, handle time-sensitive matters, and maintain compliance with university policies and FERPA regarding confidentiality of students' records.

• Ability to establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relationships with colleagues across campus.

• Ability to exercise discretion and good judgement, and exhibit professionalism at all times.

• Proficient computer skills.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Manages an assigned caseload of students by providing proactive outreach, ongoing support, and coordinated communication.

• Utilizes Navigate to document student interactions, analyze alerts and progress reports, and monitor student enrollment and engagement trends.

• Engages in proactive outreach and interventions guided by data-informed insights and work direction provided by supervisor and/or campus leadership.

• Assists with daily operations of the Student Engagement & Connection office.

• Oversees the planning, implementation, and execution of campus-wide activities on campus, including some virtual programming.

• Coordinates and provides guidance to student leaders of various clubs and organizations including but not limited to student leadership training development and student organization advising.

• Manages university organization advising model and implements training programs for all student organizations.

• Serves as an educational consultant, resource, and administrative liaison to all student organizations and advisors. Coordinates the annual review of student organization resources including the Student Organization & Advisor Handbook. Reviews and interprets policies and procedures related to student organization services and risk reduction. Coordinates registration and maintenance of student organizations for university recognition.

• Assists in coordinating the work of the Student Engagement & Connection Team consisting of an 0.80 FTE Activities Coordinator, student staff, and a 0.50 FTE Program Associate.

• Mentors the executive board(s) on related topics including recruitment/retention, program planning, and marketing and assessment.

• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates student staff responsible for marketing, facilitating, and executing all-campus program planning.

• Works with student programming assistants to coordinate and plan programs and process university performance contracts as needed.

• Serves as a member of the Ranger Welcome Planning Committee and serves as one of the contacts for event(s).

• Serves as a designated Campus Security Authority (CSA) for Clery Compliance.

• Generates and analyzes reports of curricular and unit outcomes

• Serves as a subject matter expert regarding student affairs to internal and external stakeholders

• Organizes student-focused programming and resources to promote new and ongoing educational initiatives

• Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns

• Creates and maintains schedules, logistics, and resources for one or multiple student affairs programs, activities, and/or services

Student Engagement & Connection

$48,000-$53,000/annually depending on qualifications and experience.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

• 1-3 years of experience leading or advising student/youth organizations, serving as a camp counselor, serving on an activities/social board or committee, or similar advising/programming experience. May include experience while a student.

• Experience in program development and implementation.

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel Administration or related field.

• Experience working in a post-secondary setting.

Submit a cover letter and resume with your application. For full consideration, please submit your application materials no later than May 31st, 2026.

If you have any questions, reach out to April Puryear at puryeara@uwp.eduor 262-595-2674.

Employment will require a criminal background check in accordance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.(see TC1 - App. 4 and p. 12)

Note: Criminal Background Check - The Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division prohibits employers from using criminal background check information, policies or practices that have a "disparate impact" and is not "job-related and consistent with business necessity" in hiring decisions. All information used to screen or hire job applications should relate to the duties of the job.

It is the policy of UW-Parkside to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 262-595-2204. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual with a disability.

In compliance with the Clery Act of 1998, the University of WisconsinParkside Crime Statistics Report is available here. Call the UW-Parkside Campus Police Office at (262) 595-2455 for a paper copy of the annual report.

Please note: Transcriptions will be required upon hire.

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.