Student Engagement Program Specialist - Events - University Center Student Activities and Involvement
Academic Staff
Regular
Stdnt Affairs Mgr
Attention:
Student Activities and Involvement in the department of the University Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Student Engagement Program Specialist - Events (Student Affairs Program Specialist, AE192).
Position Summary:
The Student Engagement Program Specialist — Events provides subject matter expertise in student programming and experiential, co-curricular engagement that supports student learning, development, and high-impact campus experiences. This position serves as the primary advisor to UC Live, the university's programming board, and supports large-scale, student-led events that foster engagement, belonging, leadership development, and campus community.
Responsibilities include supervising the Program Specialist - Down Under; advising and supervising student programming leaders; coordinating event contracts, budgets, logistics, staffing, marketing, and risk management practices; and supporting the training and development of student leaders and employees. The position also serves as the primary advisor to the Homecoming Steering Committee and collaborates in the training and development of Student Engagement graduate assistants and student employees.
This position is housed within the Student Engagement unit and located in the Involvement Office within the Warhawk Connection Center in the University Center. Evening and weekend hours are required based on programming and event needs.
Responsibilities:
Student Leadership & Engagement
Advise and supervise UC Live student leaders, Homecoming Steering Committee members, interns, and student employees, supporting leadership development, decision-making, and experiential learning.
Develop and facilitate training programs focused on leadership, inclusion, event management, and risk awareness.
Foster partnerships with campus and community stakeholders to enhance student engagement, belonging, and campus life.
Programming & Event Management
Plan, implement, and assess major campus programs, including welcome events, Homecoming, recognition programs, and weekly entertainment programming.
Design and facilitate programming that advances institutional and Student Engagement learning outcomes.
Ensure programs, services, and engagement opportunities are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of a diverse student population.
Coordinate all aspects of event management, including contracts, staffing, scheduling, marketing, production support, and risk management.
Negotiate contracts and represent the university at regional and national programming and contracting events.
Assessment & Budget Management
Collect and analyze participation, assessment, and learning outcome data to support reporting, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
Manage the UC Live budget (approximately $94,000) and Homecoming budget (approximately $12,000), ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and compliance with university financial policies.
Operations & Administration
Supervise the Program Specialist - Down Under and provide indirect supervision to student employees and interns.
Contribute to strategic planning initiatives through assessment, environmental scanning, and implementation of best practices.
Manage operational processes including purchasing, payroll coordination, facility use coordination, and engagement platform administration.
Ensure compliance with university policies, financial procedures, and event management standards.
Participate in university committees, training initiatives, and collaborative planning efforts that support student engagement and institutional priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received:
General supervision from the Associate Director for Student Engagement – Campus Programs and Leadership.
Supervision Exercised:
Direct supervision of the Program Specialist - Down Under and assigned interns.
Indirect supervision of Student Engagement and Warhawk Alley student employees.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT :
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
- May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees
- Advises and enforces Institution policies related to services in Student Affairs
- Monitors, evaluates, and modifies processes, procedures, and/or standards, ensuring alignment with the Institution's mission, values, goals, and objectives, as well as all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- May monitor the program budget and approve expenditures
- Plans, organizes, administers, and manages processes and operations related to assigned area(s) of responsibility
- Schedules logistics and secures resources to support the operational plans of the program or unit
- Serves as the program or unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups
Department:
University Center | Student Activities and Involvement
Compensation:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $52,000 - $55,000.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure .
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Education, Recreation Management, Event Management, Hospitality Management, Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.
At least one year of experience in student activities, event programming, campus engagement, or a related area.
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate programs and events.
Experience supervising, training, scheduling, or leading student employees, volunteers, or professional staff.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support programming and campus events.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience utilizing student engagement platforms, assessment tools, marketing strategies, and risk management practices.
Familiarity with university policies, student development theory, and training facilitation.
Master's degree or professional certification in Event Management, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Leadership, or a related field.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
Experience managing budgets, tracking expenditures, and overseeing financial transactions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A strong commitment to excellence in public service and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment.
Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
How to Apply:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
Contact Information:
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or [email protected] .
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Elizabeth Garthwaite
[email protected]
To Ensure Consideration:
Applications received by August 4th, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.
UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin ( https://www.wisconsin.edu ).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
