"Coordinator for Student Leadership & Engagement"

Coordinator for Student Leadership & Engagement

Company: University of Maryland, College Park

Job Location:

Category: Student Affairs and Services

Type: Full-Time

Department Information:

The Department of Resident Life serves a highly diverse population of approximately 12,500 undergraduate students living in traditional residence halls, apartments, and suites including some public/private partnership apartment communities. About 46% of all resident students are enrolled in twelve living-learning programs covering a wide array of academic areas. Resident Life employs a diverse workforce of 88 full-time and graduate staff members and about 600 undergraduate student staff members. The Department values respectful, equitable, and inclusive practices and actively seeks candidates who can represent and serve the diversity of persons who live and work in the University of Maryland’s residence halls. The University of Maryland campus is located in the greater Washington, DC metro area just eight miles from downtown DC and 30 miles from Baltimore, MD. Additional information about the Department of Resident Life is available at www.reslife.umd.edu.

General Description of Duties:

As a member of the Department of Resident Life Residential Engagement Programs (REP) team within the Engagement, Services, and Programs unit, the Coordinator for Student Leadership & Engagement leads the development, coordination, and execution of all centralized departmental student leadership programs and initiatives. The Coordinator advises the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), guiding student leaders as they design programs, build community engagement strategies, and advance advocacy efforts. This includes consistent collaboration with executive boards, senates, and general body groups through regular meetings, town halls, and weekly evening sessions.

The Coordinator partners with fifteen Resident Directors who advise Residence Hall and Area Councils, delivering training, coaching advisors, and strengthening leadership support across residential communities. The Coordinator also develops tailored leadership and engagement programs for community staff to create belonging and connection. In addition, the Coordinator actively supports and contributes to all REP team functions, including cornerstone initiatives such as Fall Welcome and the Resident Life Residential Curriculum. Working alongside a diverse staff and student population, the Coordinator champions inclusion and belonging by modeling inclusive leadership practices and fostering environments where all students can lead, belong, and thrive.

Specific Duties

The Coordinator for Student Leadership & Engagement will be responsible for functions that may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

Student Leadership Coordination – Residence Hall Association (RHA) & National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) (40%)

• Advise the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), supporting executive boards, hall/area councils, and general members.
• Meet regularly with RHA and NRHH leadership to guide programming, community engagement, advocacy, and operations.
• Attend RHA Executive Board, Senate, general body meetings, Town Halls, and major events, as well as all NRHH Executive Board, general body, induction, and service meetings.
• Coordinate retreats, ongoing training, leadership transitions, and early arrival processes for RHA and NRHH Executive Officers.
• Oversee Hall/Area Council elections, including marketing, application processes, online voting, and election integrity.
• Coordinate OTM (“Of the Month”) awards and oversee submissions at campus, regional, and national levels.
• Plan and implement RHA Leadership Training Day programs each fall and spring for Hall/Area Council leaders.
• Coordinate induction ceremonies, recognition events, and celebratory receptions for RHA and NRHH.
• Supervise RHA fundraising initiatives, including logistics, promotions, fulfillment, and customer service.
• Manage RHA and NRHH budgets, purchasing, fundraising revenue, and financial recordkeeping.
• Coordinate marketing, advertising, and recruitment efforts to engage a diverse population of student leaders.
• Train RHA Executive Officers on university systems, resources, advocacy, and operational readiness.
• Support student participation in regional and national conferences and maintain organizational affiliations.
• Establish and publicize RHA Senate and committee meeting schedules.

Collaboration, Assessment, and Strategic Integration (30%)

• Maintain knowledge of campus resources, policies, procedures, and event planning requirements.
• Communicate RHA initiatives, resolutions, and policy discussions to departmental leadership.
• Consult with department staff on leadership development and program planning.
• Partner with the Resident Life Senior Research Analyst on assessment initiatives related to RHA, NRHH, and Councils.
• Collaborate with the Residential Curriculum steering team to integrate student leadership into the residential curriculum.
• Identify opportunities to align Resident Life student leadership with the Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan and co-curricular learning outcomes.

Student Engagement Functions (15%)

• Coordinate a series of “pop-up,” “embedded,” “serendipitous,” tailored programming in the communities with a focus on welcoming activities in the Fall semester. Plan small-scale programs that provide additional programming and engagement activities to create a sense of belonging, inclusion, and connectedness among residents.
• Serve as part of a small team to program the Find Your Squad program series at the beginning of each semester.
• In collaboration with the Resident Life Engagement team, partner with community staff to develop targeted programming across residential communities.
• Collaborate with and/or support office staff, departmental community staff, and other Division of Student Affairs and university offices in the planning and production of various one-time and ongoing community development, academic enrichment, sustainability, and engagement programming for a diverse student population.

Residential Engagement Team Functions (10%)

• Participate in department presentations, information fairs, and tours at various orientation and outreach events for current and incoming students and families (e.g., New Student Orientation, Admitted Student Open Houses, admissions events).
• Conduct regular program review and assessment for all assigned programs as appropriate.
• Maintain effective liaison relationships and coordinate efforts in collaboration with department staff and various offices and units on campus to execute position functions.
• Explore additional partnerships with other campus departments, with an emphasis on enhancing the Residential Curriculum and departmental vision and mission.
• Assist in the management of daily office operations of the Engagement Suite, including office coverage, supply ordering, vehicle management, etc.

Departmental Functions and Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Assist with Resident Life administrative functions such as RA training and selection, opening, major programs and initiatives, etc.
• Participate as a member of department and university committees and represent the department at various campus and community functions as requested.
• Maintain current knowledge of department functions and campus resources, event calendars, policies, and procedures in the interest of effective program and event planning.
• Assume other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director for Student & Staff Development.
• Create an environment that is supportive of students and staff of all identities, articulating inclusion as a priority, and engage in ongoing learning regarding inclusive leadership and programming.

Note: The intent of this list of primary duties is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: One (1) year of professional administrative or coordinator experience.
• Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of diverse student populations.
• Knowledge of organization and administration best practices.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Preferences:

• A Master's degree in Student Affairs/Personnel Administration, Educational Administration, or a related field and a minimum of two years full-time work experience in residence life, programming, event planning, admissions, and/or orientation within a university setting is strongly preferred.
• Leadership education and training and student organization advising experience.
• Well developed administrative and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and an understanding of effective customer service.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships within a university setting.
• Candidates must also be able to work regular night and weekend hours.
• Successful candidates must actively demonstrate an appreciation for and promotions of inclusion in all areas of work.

Conditions of Employment

Position may require occasional evening or weekend hours to conduct training, support programming, or support leadership or departmental initiatives. On occasion, additional hours may be required to perform job responsibilities.

Some telework may be available as determined by department expectations and position needs. This is not a remote position, as the employee will need to report to campus to attend to duties.

Physical demands

Normal office environment – Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negotiable amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to travel around campus for meetings and to attend to duties.

This position does not provide visa sponsorship for employment.

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