Community Connections & Experiential Learning Specialist

About Us

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgia's Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust. UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more!

Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community.

Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Location

Our campus is located at 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118.

Faculty and staff members are expected to be physically present on campus as needed to support the in-person educational experience and on-campus vitality at the University of West Georgia. Depending upon teaching assignments and student demand, this could include the Carrollton or Newnan campuses.

Job Summary

The Community Connections & Experiential Learning Specialist provides centralized, college-wide leadership for student success initiatives aligned with the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and institutional completion goals. STEM disciplines present well documented challenges including high rigor, misalignment between student expectations and career pathways, and elevated attrition rates that require coordinated, proactive intervention. This role directly supports improved retention, progression, and postgraduate outcomes by expanding access to experiential learning (internships, undergraduate research, and applied experiences), strengthening integration across advising, faculty mentoring, and career services, and implementing systematic tracking of student achievement tied to nationally recognized career readiness competencies (NACE). The position also ensures accountability through data collection, assessment, and reporting, while elevating the visibility of student outcomes and strengthening partnerships with industry, alumni, and campus stakeholders.

Responsibilities

1. QEP, Experiential Learning, and Digital Badging
Serve as the point of contact for all QEP activities for the college which includes promoting various experiential learning opportunities across CMCS programs to help increase student access to these opportunities based on their major, academic strengths, and areas of interest, tracking student learning outcomes for QEP for all Perry College students, working closely with faculty to help first year students identify and describe experiential learning opportunities and career readiness competencies relevant to their professional goals, - Oversee Perry College Digital Badging initiative (CourseDen) - Collaborate with campus partners to integrate advising, mentoring, academic support, career preparation, and holistic student development initiatives.

2. Data Collection and Reporting
Track and prepare reports for off-campus activities such as internships, summer REU, shadowing, volunteering for Perry College students, student presentations at on-campus and off-campus conferences, and student publications - Serve as the Perry College academic success storyteller by sharing stories on all social media channels and keeping LinkedIn page up to date.

3. Event Coordination & New Academic Program Launch Support
Coordinate student industry field trips, alumni career panels, professional school panels, and fireside chats. - Organize (in collaboration with faculty and campus partners) prospective student recruitment events such as academic showcase, current student events such as "Its All Academic", Majors Fair, Career Fair, outreach activities such as science fairs, hackathons, Math Days, observatory nights, and student club activities related to campus-wide celebrations such as Winter West and Earth Day - Support launch of new academic programs through marketing, recruitment, and outreach as well as providing admissions and advising support. - Attend recruitment events and track program enrollment. - Provide student onboarding at orientation and support throughout their College career.

4. Innovation Development and External Partnerships Support
Schedule meetings with leadership, faculty, partners, and external stakeholders - Take notes and track action items from meetings - Organize files, reports, documentation related to partnerships - Support logistics for programming related to The Garage - Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelors Degree

Required Experience
Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline Req. Exp. - Minimum of 2 years of experience as a research assistant, laboratory coordinator, or related industry experience using a variety of scientific instrumentation across STEM disciplines

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Pref. Education - Master's degree in a STEM discipline Perf. Exp - Experience supporting experiential learning, outreach, and higher education-industry partnerships; experience with data reporting, program assessment, and learning management.

Proposed Salary

$60,000.00 - $66,000.00 annually.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Ability to provide technical support with scientific instrumentation; ability to collect, analyze, and report student outcome data; utilize social media and digital platforms for outreach and storytelling; effectively use Microsoft Office, learning management systems, and related technologies.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 15lbs Office Environment - Work normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of experiential learning practices, particularly within STEM disciplines; ability to provide technical support with scientific instrumentation.

SKILLS
Strong organizational, project management, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives and events simultaneously; exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and support student engagement, inclusion, and academic success.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement, supportive services, professional development, and a caring, student-centered community. The institutional mission and daily operation of the University of West Georgia are guided by our values that support our vision to be the best place to work, learn, and succeed: ACHIEVEMENT, CARING, COLLABORATION, INCLUSIVENESS, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, and WISDOM.