Job Listings

Student Affairs Coordinator (Student Engagement)

Company:
Valdosta State University
Job Location:
Category:
Student Affairs and Services
Type:
Full-Time

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Coordinate and oversee a variety of student affairs/student life programs and services in order to improve the quality of student life and improve student retention.

There are 2 available positions.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

The Coordinator of Student Life is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive calendar of student programs that enhance the co-curricular experience and promote student engagement. This role provides direct oversight of Student Life programming, the Campus Activities Board (CAB), and Spirit & Traditions initiatives while also supporting larger student engagement efforts within the Office of Student Life. The Coordinator plays a key role in cultivating campus pride, fostering a vibrant student life culture, and supporting holistic student development.

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Deliver Programs and Services for Students - 40%Develop, implement, and market programs and/or services which reflect the goals of the student affairs office and meets the needs of students. Implement data-based initiatives to gather and analyze formal and informal feedback from students. Stay abreast of trends, issues and best practices regarding a specific professional area.

Support Student Development - 20%Provide coaching, guidance, and supervision of both individuals and student organizations on issues related to academic achievement, student development, leadership, conflict resolution, community building, and collaboration with other students and student groups on campus. Focus on creating an inviting and welcoming environment. Foster an atmosphere of student-staff learning and development.

Promote and develop partnerships - 20%Develop and maintain initiative-based partnerships with campus partners and student organizations that address assessed needs and further the goals and vision of student affairs. Respond to campus partners, alumni and parent's questions, concerns and inquiries.

Enforce policies and procedures - 10%Enforce university and system policies and procedures. Respond to issues and resolve problems.

Manage reports, records, and budgets - 10%Maintain program files and records. Prepare a variety of regular and special report. Manage programming budgets.

Supervisor Expectations:

1. Oversight and Program Coordination

  • Provide strategic and day-to-day oversight of Student Life programming, ensuring it aligns with institutional and divisional goals and student engagement best practices.
  • Supervise, advise, and mentor the Campus Activities Board (CAB), ensuring the delivery of frequent and spirited programming.
  • Assist with the planning and implementing Spirit & Traditions events, such as Welcome Week, Homecoming activities, athletic spirit, pep rallies, and other campus traditions that build pride and belonging. 

2. Student Development and Leadership

  • Recruit, train, and mentor student leaders within CAB and related programming areas.
  • Foster a developmental approach to student leadership that emphasizes professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and cultural competence.
  • Provide ongoing leadership development opportunities for student staff and volunteers.

3. Event Planning and Execution

  • Manage logistics for campus events, including space reservations, vendor coordination, marketing, risk management, and assessment.
  • Ensure events are accessible and engaging and promote a sense of belonging among all students.
  • Serve as on-site support during events, often including evening and weekend responsibilities. 

4. Spirit & Traditions Development

  • Revitalize and expand spirit initiatives and campus traditions in partnership with student organizations, athletics, and other departments.
  • Enhance signature experiences that reflect the university's culture and increase campus pride and unity.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and student impact of spirit and tradition initiatives regularly. 

5. Collaboration and Campus Partnerships

  • Work closely with departments across Student Affairs, academic units, and campus partners to co-sponsor programs and enhance student engagement.
  • Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to promote events and maintain consistent branding and messaging.
  • Support university-wide initiatives such as orientation, student success, and retention efforts. 

6. Assessment and Continuous Improvement

  • Implement assessment tools (surveys, participation data, focus groups) to evaluate program effectiveness and guide improvements.
  • Use data to inform programming decisions and report on engagement metrics.
  • Stay current on trends in campus engagement and adapt programming accordingly.

7. Support and Flexibility

  • Provide assistance and support for other departmental initiatives as needed, including large-scale events and campus-wide programming.
  • Demonstrate flexibility and a team-oriented mindset, contributing to the success of Student Life as a whole.
  • Step in to assist other functional areas within the Office of Student Life during peak times or staff absences. 

8. Administrative and Fiscal Responsibility

  • Utilize program budgets responsibly, ensuring alignment with student fee funding guidelines and institutional policies.
  • Maintain accurate records of expenses, contracts, and programming activities.
  • Seek out cost-effective practices and opportunities for external support when feasible

9. Professionalism and Representation

  • Represent the Office of Student Life professionally in all interactions with students, staff, faculty, and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain visibility at events and demonstrate a student-centered approach.
  • Engage in professional development and contribute to departmental strategic planning.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience Bachelor's degree and one (1) years of related work experience.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

  • professional references with current contact information
  • documentation of academic credentials
  • employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

  • ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
  • view social media outlets, and
  • remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

  • successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
  • reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

  • satisfactory credit check
  • successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
  • pre-employment drug testing
  • confirmation of credentials

 After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

  • New employee orientation
  • VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
    • USG Ethics Policy
    • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
    • Drug Free Workplace
    • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
    • Motor Vehicle Policy
    • Workers Compensation (new hires)
    • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
  • USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
    • Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Background Check

  • Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

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