Outreach and Operations Coordinator, SEC and I-HACK

Position Summary

The Outreach and Operations Coordinator for the School of Engineering and Computing (SEC) and the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge (I-HACK) leads and coordinates undergraduate outreach and recruitment initiatives across all SEC programs, with a strategic emphasis on cybersecurity. This role serves as a primary liaison between SEC, I-HACK, Undergraduate Admissions, and external stakeholders to develop, implement, and assess recruitment strategies that enhance enrollment, visibility, and student engagement.

This position also supports the coordinated operations and utilization of I-HACK, ensuring alignment between facility use, academic programming, and recruitment activities. The coordinator plays a key role in leveraging I-HACK and the MakerSpace as signature assets to showcase experiential learning, industry partnerships, and applied learning opportunities to prospective students.

The successful candidate must support and promote the University's inclusive Mission, its Catholic identity, and its liberal arts and professional education traditions.

Essential Functions

1. Recruitment Strategy & Coordination

• Lead and coordinate undergraduate recruitment efforts for all SEC programs, with focused initiatives supporting cybersecurity enrollment growth
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies that highlight SEC's academic strengths, experiential learning model, and career outcomes
• Integrate I-HACK and MakerSpace into recruitment strategies as central differentiators for engineering and computing programs
• Collaborate with Undergraduate Admissions and Marketing to align messaging, outreach strategies, and recruitment activities with institutional goals
• Monitor recruitment trends and support data-informed decision-making

2. I-HACK Operations & Program Coordination

• Support the coordinated use and overall utilization of I-HACK facilities in alignment with academic, research, and partner engagement needs
• Facilitate planning and execution of programs, tours, camps, and events hosted within I-HACK
• Serve as a central point of coordination among academic departments, administrative units, and external partners utilizing I-HACK in collaboration with relevant university units
• Support implementation and communication of policies, procedures, and best practices related to facility use
• Coordinate student staffing needs and support experiential learning opportunities within I-HACK
• Contribute to tracking usage and engagement data to inform planning and continuous improvement

3. Outreach & Engagement

• Lead targeted outreach initiatives, including camps, competitions, STEM fairs, and pre-college programming (e.g., CyberPatriot)
• Coordinate and support recruitment and outreach events, including campus visits, open houses, information sessions, and external engagements
• Serve as a key representative of SEC and I-HACK to prospective students, families, schools, and community partners
• Facilitate engagement opportunities that connect prospective students with faculty, students, and hands-on I-HACK experiences

4. Communications & Marketing

• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications and Admissions to ensure consistent and effective messaging across recruitment channels
• Develop and execute communication strategies that promote SEC programs, MakerSpace, student outcomes, and the I-HACK experience
• Coordinate digital and outreach content across platforms (i.e. social media, website) to enhance visibility and engagement
• Monitor and assess communication effectiveness to inform strategy and continuous improvement

5. Partnerships & External Engagement

• Maintain relationships with schools, community organizations, and industry partners to enhance recruitment pipelines, and support student retention initiatives
• Lead and contribute to initiatives that strengthen pathways into engineering and computing programs and expand experiential learning opportunities

6. Program & Administrative Support

• Support academic programs, leadership, faculty, and students, including initiatives related to accreditation, certifications, and program development
• Collaborate with leadership to advance strategic priorities
• Support reporting, documentation, and continuous improvement efforts

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree. Preference for degrees in business, communications, marketing, advertising, IT, or a related field. Individuals with an associate degree and appropriate experience will be considered.
• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in admissions, outreach, marketing, program coordination, or a related professional setting. Experience in higher education or STEM-related fields is preferred.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills; Ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences; Demonstrated organizational and project coordination skills; Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment; Ability to collect and analyze data to support decision-making; Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to learn institutional systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting recruitment in engineering, computing, or cybersecurity-related programs
• Familiarity with higher education admissions and enrollment strategies
• Experience coordinating events, outreach programs, or facility operations
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders