Assistant Director for Student Transition and Leadership
DESCRIPTION OF JOB:
The Office of Student Involvement serves as the primary source of social programming, leadership, and co-curricular campus opportunities for all Edgewood University students. We cultivate a variety of opportunities for campus engagement that create a well-rounded student experience. The Assistant Director of Student Transition and Leadership is responsible for welcoming incoming students, overseeing student organizational leadership, and building a sense of belonging through student involvement. This includes coordination of Orientation as well as serving as a staff member in the office of Student Involvement which encompasses campus programming and student organizations.
The purpose of the position is to develop, implement, and assess student-centered programs and services to transition new undergraduate students to the Edgewood University campus. This position also serves to promote campus student organizations, including advising Student Senate, and fostering student learning through co-curricular student engagement and leadership. The Assistant Director will assist in budget management appropriate to their specialty areas.
Additional job functions will include outreach to Eagle Families and planning for and attending Student Life sponsored major events and programs.
This is a 12-month, salaried position; regular evening and weekend hours are required, depending on programs, events and student meetings.
Responsibilities:
New Undergraduate Student Orientation
- Lead, plan, and execute the University’s Fall and Spring semester undergraduate orientation programs including the new freshmen and transfer student populations.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, and train the orientation student staff and graduate intern(s).
- Coordinate communication and logistics for orientation programming, both online and in person.
- Collaborate with campus partners regarding orientation.
- Administer required online modules provided by an external vendor related to student transition and community standards.
- Work closely with Admissions and Marketing to design and coordinate a comprehensive and seamless communication protocol for new students.
- Create and distribute a periodic Eagle Family newsletter and coordinate Eagle Family transition events as part of Orientation.
- Evaluate processes and delivery of Orientation programs.
- Collaborate with Student Involvement staff to plan and execute Welcome Week programs.
Student Organizational Leadership
- Serve as primary advisor to the Student Senate.
- Serve as the campus administrator overseeing student organizations and the resulting processes and procedures.
- Communicate with and train established student organizations with regard to formation, organization operations and re-recognition processes.
- Assist students in the process of starting new student organizations, including graduate and remote students.
- Serve as the main administrator for the online student engagement platform.
- Assist in the development and updating of manuals and other materials necessary for the operation of the office of Student Involvement.
Civic Engagement and Event Planning
- Lead initiatives to build student knowledge and participation in civic engagement (such as voting) and campus events through the hiring, training and supervision of student workers specific to civic engagement programming and event planning.
- Co-lead Student Life sponsored traditional events and programs (i.e. University Days, Winter Frost).
Administrative and University – Wide Functions
- Help organize and maintain student-centered spaces on campus, including the Student Resource Center and the Wingra recreational area.
- Work in partnership with Student Development staff, Academic Affairs and other campus departments and divisions to develop services and programming that create a sense of belonging and inclusion among our diverse student population.
- Serve as a member of the Student Development staff attending meetings and retreats. Represent the Division of Student Development on division-wide committees, institutional committees, task forces, and groups.
- Serve as a member on University committees, as needed.
- Assist in year-end reporting and assessment with the Director of Student Involvement, focusing on Student Transitions, Involvement and Engagement.
- Participate in campus events as a department and division representative, including events related to admissions and enrollment.
- Actively support mission of Edgewood University and the Division of Student Development.
Professional Development
- Participate in continuous professional development around disability-related issues and best practices in higher education disability and accessibility programs.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Education or Work Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree and related combination of experience in student affairs or other related fields focused on university student development required
- Master’s degree in education, higher education, student development, or related field preferred
- Minimum of two-years of professional experience, graduate work included, working in the areas of orientation, student involvement, or another functional area with demonstrated transferable skills.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations and students from underrepresented populations.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrated knowledge of student development theories, practices, and current trends/best practices in the area of new student transition.
- Experience with supervision of student staff and/or advising of student leaders.
- Demonstrate competency skills in the areas of Student Involvement including event planning, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, orientation, and student affairs.
- Strong organizational ability, advanced technical and computer skills, interpersonal skills, and high aptitude in oral and written communications.
- Proactive and creative approach to problem solving and experience providing crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate campus and community resources.
Specialized Technology Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
- Must be willing to learn Slate and other internal data management tools.
Other Qualifications:
Edgewood University, a Catholic college sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. Candidates must demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply. The selected candidate must actively support the mission of the College by working with faculty, staff and students to share in our core values – truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.
Must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States without Employer Sponsorship.
First consideration will be given to application materials received by November 14, 2025.
How to Apply
Send one PDF document which includes cover letter, resume, and references with a subject line that includes the position code STRL:
Edgewood University
Human Resources – STRL
1000 Edgewood College Drive
Madison, WI 53711
E-mail: humanresources@edgewood.edu
Equal Opportunity Employer