Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life

Who We Are

We, the Division of Student Affairs, are a student-focused organization that aims to empower student success and support personal development. We act daily to create, enhance, and sustain a culture of respect and inclusion in the workplace, focusing on equity and justice in its many forms, including racial, social, and environmental justice. We intentionally and relentlessly pursue excellence through introspection, vulnerability, empathy, compassion, learning, and courage. We value our internal and external partnerships as vital drivers of the ambitious goals we pursue. We celebrate and take pride in the following:

• Named one of the "Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs" by Diverse Magazine.
• Serving a highly diverse student body (click here for more information).
• Leading the way as the #1 ranked institution in the AAU and #3 of all colleges and universities nationally in fostering our students' social mobility.
• Awarded multiple distinctions including philanthropic awards and research grants in experiential learning and career development, voter engagement, student engagement, health and wellness practices, and quality of residential life.

Click here for more about Student Affairs.

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):

Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Three (3) years of full-time experience in the planning and execution of events/programs, including but not limited to Student Activities, Residence Life, and/or onboarding programming, or in advising students/student organizations and student leadership development/training. Experience working with a diverse student body in a collegiate setting. Experience working with graduate students.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Higher Education Administration, Student Personnel, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Social Welfare, or a related field. Experience in student organization advising and/or administration. Experience with student leadership development and training. Experience with database management systems. Marketing and communications experience, including social media content management and/or assessment. Experience working with faculty and academic partners on building a community for graduate students within academic disciplines.

Brief Description of Duties:

The Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life serves a vital role in creating and maintaining a vibrant campus life and promoting student engagement of Stony Brook's population of 8,600 graduate students. Reporting to the Director of Student Community Development (SCD), the Assistant Director manages programming and initiatives targeted for graduate students on the West, East, and Southampton Campuses. The Assistant Director, in collaboration with the Director of SCD, will partner with the Department of New Student and Transition Programs to develop a Student Affairs centered onboarding and retention program; Student Health, Wellness, and Prevention Services; and the Career Center to increase visibility and connect graduate students to campus resources. The Assistant Director will develop a strong partnership with the Graduate Student Organization and meet regularly with the Graduate School Leadership to support their ongoing efforts to support graduate students.
The Assistant Director assists with all department functions, including significant programming and event planning, student staff supervision, and departmental marketing and assessment. The Assistant Director will be a valued contributor across departmental operations, supporting initiatives and events that further the mission of the department, Student Life, and the Division of Student Affairs. The selected candidate will work with a diverse student body and is expected to have strong organizational and time-management skills with exceptional attention to detail.

Graduate Student Life Programming and Initiatives

• Work with the Director to lead the planning and implementation of a cohesive programming model and schedule to enhance the sense of campus community for graduate students. Build and expand relationships, collaborations, and programs to support efforts and cultivate new opportunities to cultivate a sense of belonging, campus vibrancy, spirit, and pride. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of research and best practices related to program and event planning and recommend changes for continuous improvement. Assist with the creation, planning, and execution of departmental and divisional initiatives, including Involvement Fairs, Leadership Programs, and other initiatives to promote involvement. Partner with various campus stakeholders to engage students in campus traditions and events, such as but not limited to Homecoming, Roth Regatta, Welcome Week, Beyond the Brook, and Commencement. In partnership with campus colleagues and the Graduate Student Organization identify and create new traditions for graduate students.

Graduate Student Organization Advising, Administration, and Leadership Development

• In partnership with the Department of Student Engagement and Activities, provide training, support, and development for graduate-level student organizations. Review and approve 25Live reservations and event request forms. Work with assigned organizations to provide support and advice to ensure successful adherence to departmental, University, and SUNY policies. Assist with developing and implementing a comprehensive training and leadership development curriculum of workshops, events, and resources for graduate-level student organizations, their leaders, and advisors. Assist in creating, reviewing, updating, enforcing, and outreach regarding student organization policies. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices related to student organization administration, advising, programming, and leadership development, and recommend changes for continuous improvement. Assist with and lead as needed with the planning, promotion, execution, and evaluation of student-focused initiatives, including events, programs, coaching, advising, and developing student clubs and organizations.

Graduate Student Life Administration

• Conduct an assessment of student experiences and present recommendations for addressing program growth, student development, and engagement. Assist with departmental and area marketing and communication efforts to enhance the visibility of and/or engagement with departmental resources and involvement opportunities. Assist in department administration, including policy review and development, creating/supporting programs, goal setting, budget management, marketing, assessment, and strategic planning efforts. Attend and participate in team meetings. Represent the office at requested training/presentations and University-wide programs.

Graduate Student Experience Engagement

• Collaborate and develop with the Graduate School a Graduate Student Mentor Program. Recruit, select, train, supervise, and assess graduate student peer mentors to support various activities and initiatives that will enhance the graduate student experience. Work with the Graduate School Leadership to identify strategies that remove non-academic barriers to graduate student success. In partnership with the Student Engagement and Transitions Strategist, utilize engagement data to identify at-risk graduate students and provide 1:1 and small group outreach via coaching and effective communication to improve the students' experience. In collaboration with the CRAFT (Communications, Research, Assessment, Fundraising, & Technology) team, execute a strategy to identify, intervene, and connect with graduate students who are less engaged at Stony Brook. Partner with the Student Health, Wellness, and Prevention Services and the Career Center to connect graduate students with resources and programming efforts.

Professional Development and Committee Involvement

• Participate in opportunities that promote your learning, growth, and development (i.e., classes, training, committees, webinars). Contribute to the Division of Student Affairs and Stony Brook University by attending and/or supporting events, activities, and programs sponsored by areas within and outside of your department/unit (i.e., campus-wide traditions, events, programs). Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission. Evening and weekend work will be required at times.

Special Notes:

This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Salary: $65,000 + $4,000 Location Pay = $69,000 Total Compensation
In addition to the employee's base salary, this position is eligible for $4,000 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.

Essential Position: This has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. Positions that are designated as such may be required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are canceled, and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA.

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