Assistant Director of First-Year Programming and Engagement

Assistant Director of First-Year Programming and Engagement

Company: Milwaukee School of Engineering

Job Location:

Category: Student Affairs and Services

Type: Full-Time

If you’re passionate about shaping meaningful student experiences and empowering academic success, the Assistant Director of First-Year Programming and Engagement role is for you! Be a part of shaping the MSOE Raider experience from the very first day, guiding new students toward connection, confidence, and academic momentum. As a leader within the Raider Center for Academic Success, this role designs and delivers a high-impact First-Year Experience—spanning orientation, mentoring, success courses, and coaching—that reflects MSOE’s hands-on, student-centered approach. Through collaboration, data-informed strategies, and relationship-driven support, the Assistant Director strengthens belonging and persistence while helping Raiders launch their MSOE journey with purpose and pride.

We invite you to apply!

Who We Are

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is an academic institution intrinsically tied to the real world - a confluence of industry knowledge, work ethic and an enduring desire to know more. The university offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, machine learning, user experience, construction management, actuarial science, business and nursing. With about 3,000 students, faculty and staff, MSOE is large enough for big opportunities and small enough for personal attention.

A Small University Dedicated to Achieving Big Things

MSOE is a supportive environment where everyone is valued. Our method of learning by doing is our distinction: it is how we teach, how we learn and how we serve. MSOE’s top priority is serving our students. By joining our community, you are building the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Mission

MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We are united by our six values - collaboration, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity and stewardship - which represent the core of our campus culture. MSOE has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan, Extraordinary Together, that propels the institution forward. At MSOE, we are dedicated to promoting an academic environment marked by an unwavering respect for every individual.

Our Leadership

MSOE is under the leadership of Dr. Eric Baumgartner. He began his Presidency in January 2026 after having served as the Executive Vice President of Academics at MSOE since 2017.

Summary

MSOE invites applications for a full-time Assistant Director of First-Year Programming and Engagement to join our Raider Center for Academic Success team. Under the supervision of the Associate VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the Assistant Director plays a central role in advancing the success, engagement, and persistence of first-year students at MSOE. This position leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive First-Year Experience that supports students’ transition to college and fosters belonging, purpose, agency, and academic readiness.

The Assistant Director provides leadership for first-year programming across the student lifecycle, beginning at orientation and extending through the critical first year. This role oversees peer mentoring, teaches Raider Success Courses, provides individualized student success coaching, supervises the Coordinator of Carter Academy, and leads MSOE’s freshman registration and orientation efforts.

The position also serves as a key connector across academic and student affairs, using data-informed strategies, early alert insights, and student feedback to identify barriers to success and implement timely interventions. The Assistant Director contributes to a coordinated, relationship-driven approach to student success that integrates academic support, engagement, and well-being.

Essential Job Functions

First-Year Experience

• Lead the development and coordination of First-Year programming that supports students’ sense of belonging, agency, and purpose within the MSOE community.
• Oversee planning and implementation of ROAR, MSOE’s freshman orientation and registration program.
• Coordinate communication and outreach strategies to promote awareness and engagement with First Year Experience initiatives.
• Manage the daily operations of the peer mentoring program, including hiring, training, and ongoing development of student leaders.
• Instruct Raider Success Courses and implement instructional methods that promote student engagement and academic development.
• Supervise the Coordinator of Carter Academy, provide guidance and support in planning and delivering high impact programming.

Student Support

• Serve as a Raider Success Coach, offering proactive, holistic, and personalized coaching to support student’s academic and personal transitions, including documentation of student interactions.
• Use student success and institutional data to identify trends, barriers, and opportunities for intervention.
• Contribute to institutional assessment efforts to help identify barriers affecting student satisfaction, engagement, and academic progression relating to first-year students.
• Work in close collaboration with the Director of Residence Life and Dining Services to develop and implement coordinated first-year programming and engagement initiatives that bridge residential and campus environments, strengthen community connections, and support students’ transition, sense of belonging, and persistence.

General

• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to develop and implement institution-wide strategies that support first-year retention, student engagement, and academic success.
• Support day-to-day operations of the Raider Center for Academic Success, including programming efforts, new initiatives, or forward-facing services.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of all MSOE academic programs, policies, and resources.
• Lead and support onboarding and orientation initiatives, ensuring a cohesive and engaging transition experience for first-year students.
• Develop and facilitate workshops that support student success, transition, and engagement throughout the first year.
• Coordinate and manage multiple programs simultaneously, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and student success outcomes.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Help support and coach academically at-risk and students in crisis.
• Continually learn cutting edge trends in student development, advising, and engagement.
• Utilize various modes to deliver information and engage student, staff, and faculty.
• Keep RCAS service-oriented technology and website current.
• Serve on committees and councils when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree preferred in a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of higher education or student support experience preferred.
• Goal oriented and student centered.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and skills in learning and development theory, critical thinking theory, and college success strategies.
• Experience in event planning and management, including the coordination and execution of large-scale student programs and experiences.

Why Join MSOE?

At MSOE, we invest in our employees’ professional and personal growth. MSOE offers competitive, fully comprehensive benefit plans to all full-time employees including medical, dental, life, disability and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and paid parental leave, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with company matching of up to 6% of employee earnings and immediate vesting. Educational benefits are available for employees and family members. Plus, employees have access to our state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is just blocks away from the beautiful lakefront, the theater district, museums, sports and music venues, parks and shopping. To view more detailed information about MSOE, please visit www.msoe.edu/hr.

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