Director of Community Engagement and Belonging

Director Of Community Engagement And Belonging

The Director of Community Engagement and Belonging leads campus-wide efforts to foster an environment where all students feel welcomed, connected, and supported throughout their educational journey. This role focuses on strengthening community life, enhancing student engagement, and developing initiatives that help every student build meaningful relationships and a strong sense of place within the institution. The Director collaborates across departments, student organizations, academic units, and campus services to ensure students have the resources, opportunities, and support systems needed to thrive.

Administration
- Develop and manage all departmental budgets. Coordinate, plan, develop, and manage service programs on behalf of the university, including risk assessments and confidentiality protection. Develop long-term and short-term goals and learning objectives for the department.

Program Development
- Develop and implement programs that promote connection, peer support, and positive student community life. Partner with student leaders, clubs, and organizations to create engaging spaces and activities that reflect the interests and needs of the student body. Facilitate opportunities for students to build belonging through mentoring, shared interest groups, and community-building events. Lead initiatives that strengthen the overall sense of community across campus housing, classrooms, co-curricular spaces, and student gathering areas.

Support traditions and campus-wide events that foster unity, school spirit, and pride. Work with campus partners to create welcoming environments for new students, including orientation and transition programs.

Collaboration
- Work closely with Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Residence Life, Academic Affairs, Counseling/Wellness, and other campus units to align efforts that enhance student connection and well-being. Support faculty and staff in creating classroom and co-curricular environments that encourage student participation and relationship-building. Collaborate on communications and outreach that highlight community-building opportunities and student stories.

Assessment
- Use data surveys, focus groups, campus feedback to identify emerging student needs and adapt programming accordingly. Provide regular reports and recommendations to institutional leadership.

Supervision
- Directly supervise the Associate Director of Student Inclusion and Belonging and the Community Engagement Program Coordinator. Provide leadership, supervision, training, and evaluation of staff and ensure the development of departmental goals which connect to the University's strategic plan. Meet with staff individually and collectively on a regular basis for updates.

Other
- Perform other duties as assigned including but not limited to serving on division or campus committees, develop initiatives for the department and division, and implement special projects. All employees within the Division of Student Life will assist with at least three (3) student events/programs per semester that occur outside of regular business hours. Non-exempt employees must coordinate with their immediate supervisor for pre-approval of event service and the appropriate adjustments to their normal work schedule to accommodate the non-business work hours.

Examples of events/programs which satisfy the event service requirement include but are not limited to:
Fall
- Week of Welcome, Move-In days, Family Weekend Spring
- Homecoming, Spring Concert, Family Day, preview days, and Junior Day. The specific list of eligible events/programs for each semester will be maintained and communicated by the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.

Required…