SWANA Initiatives Specialist

Under the general supervision of the Program Director for the Mosaic Cross Cultural Center, the SWANA Initiatives Specialist supports the development, coordination, implementation, and assessment of culturally relevant student success programs and workshops that center and celebrate the experiences, identities, and contributions of students of Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) descent. Through these efforts, the Specialist fosters a strong sense of belonging, cultural affirmation, and community connection, key factors that contribute to student persistence, retention, and overall graduation outcomes.

The role prioritizes creating inclusive, identity-affirming spaces and initiatives that promote engagement, leadership development, and holistic student success within the SWANA student community. The Specialist assists with the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of undergraduate student leaders in a manner that empowers them to lead their own special projects and achieve desired outcomes for the programs they support. Promote a welcoming, friendly, and affirming cultural academic space within the Mosaic Cross Cultural Center that values, respects, and promotes cross-cultural engagement and an appreciation for the diverse SWANA communities  Specialist works jointly with Mosaic’s professional and student staff to coordinate the daily operations of the center, including participation in outreach and yield efforts throughout the academic year which may include offering presentations, workshops, and resource tabling.

The SWANA Initiatives Specialist will sustain major SWANA programs, including SWANA Welcome and SWANA Heritage Month planning.

• Assist with the development, planning, coordination, and assessment of culturally-sustaining student success programs, events, activities, and workshops designed to support SWANA student transition, retention, and graduation.
• Stay informed and be familiar with institutional policies and procedures as it relates to program/event planning and implementation.
• Identify, build, and maintain relationships with affinity SWANA groups, including recognized student organizations to enhance coordinator presence with the SWANA student community.
• Participate in meetings and program planning committees to implement programming plans and identify additional collaborative partnerships for promoting and executing SWANA-rooted initiatives.
• Assist with the coordination of outreach efforts with Student Outreach and Recruitment, Admitted Spartan Day, University Orientation Programs, and Weeks of Welcome.
• Coordinate building relationships between Mosaic, CAPISE, and SJSU SWANA affinity groups.
• Assist with the recruitment, hiring, training, directing, supervision, and the evaluation of undergraduate student staff leaders.
• Supervises student staff by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and facilitating professional development; supports students’ holistic well-being by monitoring workload and workplace climate, making referrals to campus resources, and advocating for conditions that promote student success and retention.
• Provides guidance and support to students by identifying needs, offering direction, and connecting students to appropriate campus and community resources to promote well-being, engagement, and success.
• Provides targeted support and advocacy for students experiencing barriers to persistence by connecting them to retention, basic needs, and crisis support services; coordinates appropriate referrals and interventions in alignment with university protocols.
• Coordinates logistics for meetings and events including room reservations, set-up, catering, and technology support.
• Assists with assessment efforts by collecting, tracking, and analyzing program data to assess effectiveness; prepares reports and summaries to inform program improvement and support student success outcomes.

• Thorough knowledge of and skill working with Southwest Asian & North African college students.
• Knowledge and understanding of asset-based frameworks used to support Southwest Asian & North African college…