Hawk Link Coordinator

Position Overview

Hawk Link Coordinators at the University of Kansas are charged with implementing initiatives to advance Hawk Link's position as a campus-wide student support system. Hawk Link Coordinators utilize proactive outreach and innovative engagement strategies to promote the academic, professional, and personal success of all Jayhawks with special emphasis on first-generation and Pell-eligible college students. These initiatives are also in alignment with institutional/unit/division goals to improve access and retention at the University of Kansas.

The Hawk Link Coordinator will cultivate opportunities designed to facilitate a successful transition to college through graduation and beyond alongside a team of professional staff cross-trained to provide holistic support. Reporting to the Director, this position assists students with navigating campus, identifying campus resources, and accessing opportunities for academic and professional development.

Unit Overview:

Hawk Link is a campus-wide student support program designed to support the retention, academic success, and career pathway preparation of KU undergraduate and graduate students. Through holistic engagement and cross-trained support, Hawk Link provides student-facing services, programming, scholarship management and community building. Hawk Link is part of Academic Success Initiatives within Academic Affairs at KU, along with Academic Success Operations, the Military-Affiliated Student Center, and Academic Success Navigators.

Academic Success Overview:

Academic Success advocates for and strategically advances education at the University of Kansas. We work with students from orientation to graduation, providing them with high-quality, data-driven academic and career advising, targeted academic support systems and networks, and empowering and engaging experiential learning. We serve the university, coordinating with faculty, staff, and students throughout KU to further educational initiatives and strategic goals.

Job Description

60% Student Support and Engagement

• Participate in targeted calling campaigns, each with a specific call to action, including campaigns that support students as they transition to college and campaigns that help mitigate barriers to progression.
• Provide oversight and participate in all aspects of KU's Tri-Alpha Honors Society including development of mentorship opportunities, organization of chapter meetings and chapter events including the annual induction ceremony, and webpage development.
• Deliver a defined communication strategy to students identified in KU's early intervention system and directly link students to support services offered through Jayhawk Academic Advising, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Student Access Center, Wingspan, Counseling & Psychological Services and other departments across campus as appropriate.
• Provide same-day responses to students using the Hand Raise feature in EAB (Jayhawk GPS/Navigate 360) to quickly and efficiently problem-solve by connecting students with information, providing referrals, and scheduling appointments as needed.
• Document and maintain all communication with students resulting from appointments, email, phone, and walk-ins using university-approved systems.
• Hold a caseload of approximately 200 Jayhawk Jumpstart students and use innovative proactive outreach to support students as they progress through their first year at KU and beyond.
• Develop rapport and productive relationships with students by creating a community of care that allows students to grow and thrive.
• Work alongside a team of professional and student staff to provide a welcoming office environment that offers daily availability for walk-in appointments.
• Maintain the Hawk Link lounge - a communal space for all students that supports group study and student connection - and use the space to post important announcements about university deadlines, events, or opportunities.

35% Programming and Event Support

• Participate fully in the planning, implementation and marketing of core Hawk Link events including Jayhawk Jumpstart, First-Gen Week activities, and Tri-Alpha induction ceremony which require some weekend and evening availability.
• Collaborate on multiple events with campus partners each semester to maintain a strong and cohesive support network.
• Incorporate outcome measure tracking for all events including the collection of data from event registration, event participation, interest inventories, pre and post assessments, and satisfaction surveys.
• Attend Hawk Link Student Specialist staff meetings, training, and professional development in conjunction with other Hawk Link Coordinators.

5% Other Duties as Assigned by Academic Success Leadership

• Attend relevant staff meetings and trainings related to Academic Success Initiatives.
• Use University-approved systems for all student records and adhere to Academic Success technology use standards and FERPA guidelines.
• Serve on departmental and campus committees as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by Academic Success Leadership.

Position Requirements

1. Travel is less than 25% for occasional required meetings with advance notice as well as event planning-related local driving. Some weekend and evening availability is required for events.
2. This position is student-facing and requires working on-site at the Lawrence Campus. Limited hybrid work may be an option during breaks when classes are not in session.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree with one (1) year of relevant experience OR Master's Degree.
2. One (1) year of experience working in an educational setting or customer service role.
3. Experience with technology systems (such as Microsoft Office suite, MS Teams, Google suite etc.) as evidenced in application materials.
4. Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated by cover letter and resume.

*This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.*

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience creating and facilitating student events, workshops, or other student engagement opportunities in a higher education setting as evidenced in application materials.
2. Master's degree in education, counseling, psychology, special education, social work, liberal arts, or related field.
3. Experience working collaboratively on a team as shown in application materials.
4. Experience co-leading projects as evidenced in application materials.
5. Experience in academic support services, advising or academic coaching services at an institution of higher education as evidenced in application materials.
6. Experience with web-based student retention software such as EAB (Jayhawk GPS/Navigate 360) as shown in application materials.
7. Experience managing multiple projects and prioritizing tasks to produce high-quality work by established deadlines as evidenced in application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants

Jaime Appelwick
appelwick_jl@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• List of three (3) professional references including at least one (1) previous or current supervisor.

**Only complete applications will be considered.**

Application review begins Monday April 6, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Advertised Salary Range

$44,100 - $47,500 commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins

06-Apr-2026

Anticipated Start Date

10-May-2026

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE

1.0

Reg/Temp

Regular

FLSA Status

Administrative

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Location Assignment

On-Site