Director for Student Experience

Position: Director for the Student Experience
The Division of Student Affairs fosters student growth and development. The Division of Student Affairs aids, directs, and informs students about services and programs that will expand students' educational experiences and prepare them for diverse lives in local and global communities. The Division of Student Affairs is responsible for many of the outside the classroom/off campus aspects of student life at ECSU, including student engagement and leadership;

career services; student disability services, residential life; student activities; community standards; special programs and services; student health & counseling services and career services.

Description of Work

The Director for the Student Experience plays a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging campus environment by developing and implementing co-curricular programs that support student engagement, leadership development, and overall student success. This position advances the mission of Elizabeth City State University by enhancing student life, strengthening Viking Pride, and promoting meaningful connections that support persistence and belonging.

The Director leads the planning and execution of Viking Voyage Orientation, Week of Welcome (WOW), and related transition programs that ensure a successful introduction for new and transfer students. The Director also serves as an active member of the Parent & Family Weekend Task Force and oversees the recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of Viking Voyage Leaders (VVL) to cultivate peer leadership and mentorship opportunities.

The Director co-manages the SEAL work-study student program in collaboration with the Coordinator for Student Life, assists with the Ad Astra Venue Reservations System, and partners with colleagues across the Division of Student Affairs to support and implement initiatives that contribute to a seamless student experience. Working in partnership with the Office of Student Success and Retention, the Director contributes to the development and assessment of First-Year Experience (FYE) programs-ensuring that these efforts are integrated with Student Engagement and Leadership priorities.

This position provides leadership and support for major university traditions, including Viking Showcase (Fall, Winter, Spring), Homecoming, Winter Homecoming, Viking Fest, and Founders Day Convocation and Weekend. In collaboration with the Director of Alumni Relations and Engagement, the Director ensures that new and transfer students are meaningfully connected to the Pre-Alumni Association, supporting early engagement with ECSU's culture of philanthropy and long-term alumni involvement.

As the primary advisor for the Freshmen Class, the Director supports student retention, leadership development, and class-specific programming, inclusive of Freshmen Student Elections and the Freshmen Showcase. The Director represents the Division of Student Affairs in university-wide initiatives and external engagements as assigned. The Director also manages program budgets within their portfolio, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources that support student development.

The Director develops and maintains a comprehensive annual calendar of events, workshops, and initiatives for new and transfer students that aligns with departmental program planning. The Director also establishes, revises, and implements operational procedures to enhance program efficiency; coordinates data collection and assessment efforts; and provides administrative support across Student Engagement and Leadership as needed.

The Director for the Student Experience and the Coordinator for Student Life operate under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, who provides strategic guidance to ensure that programs align with divisional goals and evolving student needs. The Executive Director may direct program adjustments as needed to ensure consistency and alignment across Student Engagement and Leadership initiatives.

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Deputy Student Affairs Officer provides overarching leadership and maintains full divisional oversight, ensuring all programs and services align with university mission, institutional priorities, and the holistic success of ECSU students.

This position is instrumental in advancing student success, reinforcing Viking Pride, and enhancing the overall student experience at ECSU.

Competencies/Knowledge Skills, and Abilities Required in this Position

Possess a working knowledge of first year and transfer students to ensure their transition to a college setting through engagement activities, events, programs, and resources.

Demonstrate the ability to articulate the role that student leadership opportunities serve in supporting retention and the overall academic mission of the university for first year and transfer students.

Possess the ability to work with computer systems, knowledge and familiarity with building…