Assistant Director of New Student Programs, Office of Student Involvement

Department Statement

Colgate University, a selective, residential liberal arts university, seeks an energetic, motivated, and highly visible Assistant Director of New Student Programs within the Office of Student Involvement. Reporting to the Director of the Office of Student Involvement and working collaboratively with other deans and directors in the Dean of the College Division, the assistant director takes an active leadership role in developing students by providing intentional opportunities for engagement and aiding in the transitional needs of new students.

This is a distinctive opportunity for a professional who is interested in developing programs for new students, including new student orientation and first-year engagement. The Assistant Director of New Student Programs will implement a shared vision for new student orientation and first-year engagement in collaboration with the Director of Student Involvement and the Dean of Students. The Assistant Director will also partner with faculty and staff colleagues to plan and operationalize the University’s four-day orientation and first-year programming.

The Assistant Director will understand, and have an appreciation for, a residential liberal arts education; a passion for providing support and opportunities for Colgate’s students’ transition into college; an authentic appreciation for Colgate’s history and traditions, as well as a vision of its potential; and a deep commitment to the educational value of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable academic community.

COLGATE UNIVERSITY
Colgate was first founded in 1817 as The Baptist Education Society of the State of New York by 13 men with $13 and 13 prayers. The number 13 is still Colgate’s lucky number; Friday the 13th is always designated Colgate Day. New York State granted the school a formal charter in 1819, and the Baptists in New York City consolidated their seminary with the Hamilton school to form the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution in 1823. In 1890, the school became Colgate University in honor of the enduring support from William Colgate and his family. The first African American students were admitted in the 1920s, and women were admitted in 1970.

Today, Colgate is a thriving, highly selective liberal arts institution located on a beautiful campus in Hamilton, New York. Located in the geographic center of New York State, Colgate’s campus boasts carefully preserved architecture, immaculate grounds, and a hillside setting, and is consistently named one of the most beautiful in the nation. It is this sense of place where students develop lifelong bonds and receive an education of national acclaim.

Faculty and staff, too, make intentional choices to live and work in Hamilton, New York and, as such, it is a scholarly community that is collectively focused on an undergraduate education and preparation that is uniquely Colgate.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Office of Student Involvement ( OSI ) uses a comprehensive advising and programming approach to support, educate, and develop inclusive, well-rounded student leaders. The Assistant Director plays an integral role in helping students explore and engage with their co-curricular involvement as an important component of their Colgate education. The mission of OSI is to provide engaging, dynamic, and equitable co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities that empower students to build community, discover their strengths, and pursue their interests.

Accountabilities

The Assistant Director of New Student Programs within the Office of Student Involvement is responsible for creating and/or coordinating a robust and comprehensive complement of programs to support new students in transitioning into and establishing a successful trajectory at Colgate, including new student orientation held during four days in August. The assistant director is responsible for developing a first-year and sophomore experience that is consistent and complementary to Colgate’s Residential Commons Program, a residential program that connects faculty with students outside of the classroom, introduces learning opportunities where students live, and seeks to build a community where all students feel a sense of belonging.

The Assistant Director will design programs for new students that are developmentally appropriate, holistic, and developed in close collaboration with various university stakeholders, including the staff within the Office of Student Involvement. This Assistant Director is also responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive four-day New Student Orientation program and working collaboratively with other colleagues within the Dean of the College division, who plan pre-orientation programs for first-generation students, transfer students, and international students, to make sure they are cohesive and complementary. The successful assistant director should have a passion for first and second-year student success.

New Student Programs accountabilities:

• Facilitate a collaborative approach to creating, developing, and implementing new student programs.
• Participate in a First-Year and Sophomore-Year Experience Advisory Board, composed of faculty and staff, which helps frame and guide first-year programs and opportunities.
• Promote opportunities for first-year students to become involved in student organization activities including positions of leadership, in collaboration with the Office of Student Involvement.
• Help plan and implement a New Student Orientation program, in close partnership with campus partners and the Dean of Students.
• Select, train, and supervise a group of upper-level ‘Link Staff,’ Colgate’s orientation leaders.

Second-Year Experience accountabilities:

• Facilitate a collaborative approach to creating, developing and implementing programs for sophomore students.
• Throughout the sophomore year, create and promote opportunities for second-year students to become involved in student organization activities including positions of leadership.

Student Involvement accountabilities:

• Serve as the primary adviser to a set of assigned student organizations.
• Co-lead the strategy and execution for evening and programming.
• Assist (as part of the OSI team) with developing, implementing, and assessing large, annual events for the campus community, involving students, staff, faculty, and alumni; including Welcome Week Events, Homecoming, Dancefest, Springfest, and other student and staff-initiated University-wide events.
• Select, train, and supervise OSI interns.
• Process financial payments and reports.
• Prepare reports, provide research, and complete projects as assigned.
• Participate in department-wide planning of programs and initiatives while collaborating with others to ensure high-quality events and services to students.
• Support the work of the department through committees, division or University task forces, and other special assignments;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The incumbent is responsible for:

• Effective financial management of various budgets related to programming and new student orientation;
• Ensuring programs achieve positive, measurable outcomes that are aligned with divisional, departmental, and institutional priorities; and,
• Understanding and effectively communicating University policies.

This position has been designated as a Campus Security Authority ( CSA ), in accordance with the federal statutory requirements of the Jeanne Clery Act. CSAs are required to and responsible for reporting allegations of crimes they receive from students and employees to the Campus Safety Department.

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

• Two years of experience planning large and small events in a college/university setting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of facilities management;
• Experience advising student clubs and organizations;
• Ability to be detail-oriented;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion;
• Ability to lead and manage a cross-functional, collaborative team;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of student development theory, student and student organization advising models;
• Masters degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field;
• Experience working closely with or leading orientation programs;
• Experience with student learning outcomes, assessment, and data-driven decision-making.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as higher education administration, education, social work, or counseling .

Job Open Date
12/02/2022

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
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