Director of Community Engagement and Belonging
Job ID: 303608
Location: Georgia College & State Univ
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
About Us
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.
As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.
Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.
The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.
Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.
Job Summary
The Director of Community Engagement and Belonging leads campus-wide efforts to foster an environment where all students feel welcomed, connected, and supported throughout their educational journey. This role focuses on strengthening community life, enhancing student engagement, and developing initiatives that help every student build meaningful relationships and a strong sense of place within the institution.
The Director collaborates across departments, student organizations, academic units, and campus services to ensure students have the resources, opportunities, and support systems needed to thrive.
Responsibilities
Administration - 20
- Develop and manage all departmental budgets.
- Coordinate, plan, develop, and manage service programs on behalf of the university, including risk assessments and confidentiality protection.
- Develop long-term and short-term goals and learning objectives for the department.
Program Development - 30
- Develop and implement programs that promote connection, peer support, and positive student community life.
- Partner with student leaders, clubs, and organizations to create engaging spaces and activities that reflect the interests and needs of the student body.
- Facilitate opportunities for students to build belonging through mentoring, shared interest groups, and community-building events.
- Lead initiatives that strengthen the overall sense of community across campus housing, classrooms, co-curricular spaces, and student gathering areas.
- Support traditions and campus-wide events that foster unity, school spirit, and pride.
- Work with campus partners to create welcoming environments for new students, including orientation and transition programs.
Collaboration - 15
- Work closely with Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Residence Life, Academic Affairs, Counseling/Wellness, and other campus units to align efforts that enhance student connection and well-being.
- Support faculty and staff in creating classroom and co-curricular environments that encourage student participation and relationship-building.
- Collaborate on communications and outreach that highlight community-building opportunities and student stories.
Assessment - 10
- Use data surveys, focus groups, campus feedback to identify emerging student needs and adapt programming accordingly.
- Provide regular reports and recommendations to institutional leadership.
Supervision - 20
- Directly supervise the Associate Director of Student Inclusion and Belonging and the Community Engagement Program Coordinator.
- Provide leadership, supervision, training, and evaluation of staff and ensure the development of departmental goals which connect to the University's strategic plan.
- Meet with staff individually and collectively on a regular basis for updates.
Other - 5
- Perform other duties as assigned including but not limited to serving on division or campus committees, develop initiatives for the department and division, and implement special projects.
All employees within the Division of Student Life will assist with at least three (3) student events/programs per semester that occur outside of regular business hours. Non-exempt employees must coordinate with their immediate supervisor for pre-approval of event service and the appropriate adjustments to their normal work schedule to accommodate the non-business work hours.
Examples of events/programs which satisfy the event service requirement include but are not limited to:
Fall - Week of Welcome, Move-In days, Family Weekend
Spring - Homecoming, Spring Concert, Family Day, preview days, and Junior Day.
The specific list of eligible events/programs for each semester will be maintained and communicated by the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Master's Degree in related field
Required Experience
5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Educational Qualifications
PhD Preferred
Preferred Experience
Experience managing departmental budgets
Proposed Salary
The salary range is $60,868-$72,000.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
ABILITIES
- Ability to multitask
KNOWLEDGE
- Considerable experience in developing and implementing community service/volunteer activities, programs and services.
- Sound decision making and accountability.
- Experience in campus programming, supervision, budgeting, goal setting, student advising and community relations.
SKILLS
- Excellent interpersonal and time management skills.
- Presentation, programming, and event management skills.
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.
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
This is a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position requires a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.
Background Check
- Criminal Background Check
- Education Verification
- Motor Vehicle Check
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