Director of Student Engagement
SUMMARY:
Provides operational leadership for student engagement programs funded through the Student Services Fee, including student organizations, leadership development, civic engagement, recreation programming, Student Center operations, late-night programming, campus-wide involvement initiatives, and co-curricular experiences that promote student belonging, engagement, and success.
This position implements the strategic direction and ensures effective day-to-day delivery of student engagement, recreation, and student life programs. The Director focuses on program execution, staff supervision, student organization advising, and management of student-facing engagement functions that support involvement, retention, and student success.
Works collaboratively with Community Living & Student Support, Athletics, Wellness, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners to expand student engagement and access to co-curricular opportunities for commuter, residential, online, hybrid, and post-traditional students.
This position is within the Professional Administrators Union. Candidates must currently reside or be willing to relocate to New York State at time of employment. Additionally, maintaining New York State residency will be required for the duration of employment. All employment offers are contingent upon a successful background check.
NATURE AND SCOPE
- Implement the strategic direction through effective day-to-day program delivery, supervision, and coordination of student-facing engagement programs and services.
- Co-advise and support student organizations and the Student Government Association, including leadership training, funding processes, risk management, and compliance with College policies, SUNY regulations, Title IX requirements, Campus Police policies, and applicable federal and state laws.
- Plan, coordinate, and assess student programs including New Student Orientation, peer leadership, mentoring, civic engagement, leadership workshops, and commencement-related student involvement activities.
- Supervise Student Center and recreation operations, including facilities, staffing, scheduling, programming, and daily operations, while managing the departmental budgets, facilities, resources, and Student Services Fee funding in collaboration with the Faculty Student Association (FSA) and college staff.
- Develop inclusive engagement strategies that support commuter, residential, online, hybrid, and post-traditional students and expand access to co-curricular, experiential, and applied learning opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Community Living & Student Support staff to co-develop campus vibrancy and weekend engagement programming that strengthens student belonging and connection across residential and commuter populations.
- Partner with Athletics, Wellness, Academic Affairs, and other campus stakeholders to expand student engagement opportunities, support student success, and develop experiential learning, internship, and co-curricular opportunities that connect engagement and recreation programs to academic and career pathways.
- Implement assessment and evaluation of student engagement and recreation programs using participation data, student learning outcomes, sense of belonging indicators, retention metrics, and co-curricular learning measures to support continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
- Coordinate student engagement communications, Campus Groups administration, digital engagement platforms, event management systems, training, marketing, social media, and promotion of student involvement opportunities.
- Serve as alternate liaison to the Faculty Student Association (FSA) as assigned and represent the College at professional conferences, training, and collaborative initiatives related to student engagement, leadership development, recreation, and student success.
- Foster a culture of equity, inclusion, professionalism, and student-centered engagement across all programs and services and perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, College Administration, or related field and two (2) years of professional experience in higher education, student affairs, student engagement, recreation, or related field; OR
Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of experience in student activities, student leadership, student affairs, recreation, or related field, including demonstrated leadership in co-curricular programming.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
- Knowledge of student development and leadership theories
- Experience supervising recreation or student engagement operations
- Experience collaborating with residential life, athletics, and student support services
- Experience developing peer mentoring or student success connection programs
- Experience serving diverse student populations, including adult learners, commuters, and online students
- Experience in civic engagement programming and student government advising
- Demonstrated success in student engagement, recreation, or student success programming in higher education
EXPECTED HIRING SALARY RANGE: $69,461 - $104,193. Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a College employee, this appointment includes a NYS retirement benefit option or generous employer match to 414 retirement plan, attractive Health Care options with 80% of premiums covered by the College, post-retirement health insurance and supportive work-life balance with 16 holidays, 20 vacation and 12 sick days per year along with tuition assistance and ability of application to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) in addition to other benefits offered by the College. Inquire for additional details.
Tompkins Cortland Community College is a culturally diverse campus with over two decades of strong partnerships with international colleges and universities and a commitment to preparing our students for citizenship in a global society. Tompkins Cortland Community College is accredited by the Board of Regents of the State of New York and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and awards associate degrees in career-oriented and liberal arts/sciences programs of study. To learn more about the College, visit our website at www.tompkinscortland.edu. Visa sponsorship not available. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. AA/EOE
Location: Tompkins Cortland Community College is located in the naturally beautiful and culturally rich Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, near Syracuse, Rochester, Ithaca, and Binghamton. The area is host to many colleges, including Cornell University, as well as excellent healthcare, museums, festivals, and business enterprises.
