"Assistant Director for Student Experience and Orientation"

Company Description

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs, and while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve, and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham, and so much more. FSU is a proudly public and truly transformative institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded, but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate and professional students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, and professional fields, and enrolls 48% BIPOC students and 54% first-generation college students in our undergraduate programs. We are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of equity and antiracism. This commitment has earned FSU seven Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity and led to our recognition in the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For program. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU is ideally situated between Boston and Worcester on land originally stewarded by the Nipmuc people for thousands of years. FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The Assistant Director for Student Experience & Orientation works as a member of the Center for Student Experience and Career Development. The Assistant Director assists in coordination of the University's Orientation programs for all new first-year and transfer students, coordinates specific programs for new students, coordinates programs for graduating students, and advises designated student organizations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Associate Director for Orientation & Student Experience

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Direct supervision of Graduate Assistant, Black and Gold Orientation Student Leaders, Student Office Assistant.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

New Student Orientation

• Assists in coordination of Black & Gold New Student Orientation sessions taking place in January, and September. This includes coordinating summer Taking Care of Business sessions for incoming students, serving as liaison for campus partners involved in Orientation, as well as the design, preparation, implementation, assessment and evaluation of Orientation programs and all associated functions.
• Supervision and coordination, with the Associate Director, of student Black and Gold Orientation Leaders who assist in the implementation of Orientation sessions. This includes hiring, training, evaluating, and oversight to ensure a successful Orientation program.
• Coordinate the recruitment process of the Black and Gold Orientation Leaders.
• Plan and implement comprehensive support services for new students through regular communications, gathering feedback and coordinating programs and events focused on the needs of new students, in addition to offering professional development opportunities for members of the university community.
• Coordinate and regularly update departmental websites and social media forums directed at incoming and current first-year and transfer students.
• Serve on planning teams for Admissions recruiting events, including fall open houses and spring accepted student receptions.

Student Organizations

• Serve as a resource for a portfolio of student organizations. Tasks include leadership development, mentorship and advisement on organization operations, and helping with budget and event management.
• Act as primary advisor to the programming board, Framingham State Activities Board.
• Serve as Advisor to Alpha Lambda Delta new student honor society.
• Maintains and updates Student Organization policies in matters of organization formation, policy explanations, best practices, risk-management procedures, necessary forms, and other applicable institutional policies
• Assist in the creation and annual revisions to the Student Organization Officer Handbook for org processes and procedures.
• Assist in management and implementation of semester officer training workshops.
• Provide sound budgetary and financial advisement and supervision for all student groups.
• Serve as travel staff for student-led off-campus trips.

Leadership Development and Community Service

• Coordinate and assist student groups with community service programs.
• Collaborate with the Civic Engagement and Service-Learning Center to increase student engagement with the local community through service and experiential learning.
• Establish and coordinate community service project implementation into Black & Gold Beginnings Orientation program.
• Serve as a Center representative to assist in student leadership established programs and committees, Ram Peer Leaders, Emerging Leaders, Women in Leadership, Student Leadership and Benevolence Awards Committee, University Commencement Speaker Committee, etc.

General Responsibilities

• Assist in the hiring of professional, classified and student employees within the Center for Student Experience and Career Development.
• Maintain records in order to constantly evaluate activities and to provide resource documents and data for year-end reports.
• Assist in maintaining all Center website and Sharepoint pages, updating in a timely manner.
• Be familiar with the purchasing practices required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Use Banner, 25Live, and Campus Groups Ready Education for purchasing and event management.
• Serve on Student Affairs and University-wide standing committees.
• Attend University functions of general importance to the student body (Commencement, Black & Gold Beginnings Orientation, Homecoming & Family Weekend, etc.)
• Stay current on trends in higher education and student affairs through involvement in professional organizations, in-service training, and continued education.
• Work evenings and weekend events regularly, providing general event management support to organizations and campus events.
• Serve as travel staff for student-led off-campus trips.
• Contribute efforts to move the Center for Student Experience and Career Development to be anti-racist, including evaluating and updating policies and procedures
• Designation as a Clery Campus Security Authority (CSA) and Title IX Responsible Employee.
• Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Majority of work hours take place in an office environment requiring use of computer and telephone. Working both indoors and outdoors for certain events and activities, includes standing for periods of time, bending, crouching and any other body movements associated with event support. Frequent evening and weekend hours as events require. Some travel with student groups on buses, other provided transportation or own transportation needed. Remote work is allowed during low student presence time periods on campus, i.e. summer break, winter break.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree with two years professional experience.
• Experience in hiring, training and supervising employees.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Student Personnel or related field, with graduate student experience.
• At least one year of professional experience planning orientations in a higher education setting.
• At least one year of professional experience planning events in a higher education setting.
• At least one year of professional experience supervision of undergraduate/graduate students.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Assistant Director. The starting salary range is $55,000 - 59,000. Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions. Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, Veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

Candidates must apply online by submitting: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Equity and Inclusion Statement*, Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application). *The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials. For best consideration, please submit application materials by priority application date: September 5, 2025. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee. Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket. Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.