Fort Hays State University seeks a Director of Student Engagement to serve as the leader for our dynamic and progressive Student Engagement team. The Student Engagement staff create the on campus student experience and engagement. The team leads student diversity, leadership, organizations, and service components of campus activities. The team provides oversight to on campus fraternity and sorority experiences, student organizations, orientation activities, and family programs. Student Engagement is located in the central-hub of the Center for Student Success. Our student programming board works collaboratively with other campus and community partners to create social and educational experiences to cultivate student belonging. There are about 120 student organizations on campus, including sororities and fraternities. Our student and professional staff team provide support, resources, and opportunities for student to practice and develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of an engaged global citizen-leader. FHSU and the Department of Student Engagement are committed to building an inclusive environment that is representative of our students and state, so we encourage women and members of underrepresented groups to apply.
Duties: The Director will be responsible for providing leadership, vision, and supervision for the Student Engagement Department. The director supervises four professional staff and with the support of the administrative specialist about 12 student staff. The team is looking for a team-oriented leader that will positively transform student engagement and leadership at Fort Hays State University.
Responsibilities:
- Report to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Student Success and serve on the Student Success Leadership Team.
- Share departmental operations, goals, and data with campus and community partners.
- Lead the student engagement team and student programming board.
- Oversee on campus student engagement areas, including student activities, belonging, diversity, leadership development, fraternity and sorority life, student organizations, orientation programs, family programs, and academic tutoring and support.
- Supervise two Assistant Directors and two Coordinators. Provide mentorship and leadership training to undergraduate and graduate students and professional staff.
- Enhance student organization support, advisement, and management; including fraternity and sorority organizations.
- Collaborate with campus partners, including Student Government Association, Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance, Residential Life, Career Services, Memorial Union, & Health & Wellness.
- Manage a variety of funding sources and follow policies and procedures for funding; including overseeing student fee proposals.
- Plan and implement assessment efforts that inform data driven decision making for the programs, services and activities related to student programming, orientation/transition programing, academic support & FSL.
- Support other campus partners to advance civic engagement initiatives for students.
- Create program and annual reports in accordance with division, university, and accreditation metrics.
Research industry trends and best practices related to student engagement, retention, belonging, and success. - Oversee training workshops, outreach, support programs, and conference experiences, including Black & Gold Leadership Academy, Ad Astra First Generation Conference, Fraternity & Sorority Life Retreats, Mountain Movers Social Justice Summit, and Kansas Leadership Center experiences.
- Lead and serve on committees within and externally to the division.
Required Application Documents:
- Cover Letter addressing minimal and preferred qualifications
- Resume
- A statement (150 words max) explaining how they will help FHSU build an inclusive environment that is representative of our students and state
- Names and contact information for three professional references
Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
Priority Deadline: October 22, 2023. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and will continue until the position is filled.
Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree and one year of experience working in student engagement areas (student activities, transition, leadership, diversity, fraternity & sorority life, student organizations, and family programs).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to manage a variety of funding sources and demonstrated management of budgets.
- Demonstrated record of success in creating experiences for student engagement and belonging.
- Evidence of successfully leading and implementing initiatives to advance student persistence and retention.
- Demonstrated commitment to a diverse and inclusive university community.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across campus, as well as in the community.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to create and implement large scale events.
- Demonstrated understanding of common structures, purposes, and practices in higher education.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications/experience.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Name: Edie McCracken
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
