Student Engagement and Curriculum Coordinator

CLA UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

Job Description:
The mission of the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Undergraduate Education is to provide resources, opportunities, and systems that promote student academic success, professional readiness, and personal well-being throughout their college career. CLA's Office of Student Experience (OSE) accomplishes this mission via CLA's First Year Experience (FYE) and Transfer Semester Experience (TSE) courses, by enhancing students' connection to the university, the college, and departments, while also creating a bridge to the community beyond the university by means of career exploration and engagement opportunities. OSE is seeking an Engagement & Curriculum Coordinator to coordinate the FYE by providing a curricular advising experience to help students identify their strengths, clarify their interests, and explore available areas of study in the context of the liberal arts. The overarching model is one positioned at the intersection of development and learning, drawing on multiple theoretical perspectives in the professional literature (for example, self-authorship, appreciative advising, advising as teaching, high-impact educational practices). The FYE provides students with a balance of support and challenge, engaging in a professional practice that is highly contextualized, nuanced, and responsive to the individual learner's preparation, ability, and interests. Great emphasis is placed on expanded multicultural competence, in line with the broader university and college goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Furthermore, both programs are responsive to collegiate and University goals in the areas of student satisfaction, retention, graduation, career readiness, and timely progress toward degree. OSE partners closely with colleagues throughout the University of Minnesota to develop robust opportunities with the goals of connecting students with campus resources and
engaging students in reflective learning. Collaboration will include supporting cross-training needs, pursuing programming and best practices initiatives, and
establishing and monitoring key success indicators such as retention and timely degree progress.

RESPONSIBILITIES
First-Year Student Experience Design (50%)

• Coach students through an experience based in student development theory to empower students to identify their strengths, clarify their interests, and explore available areas of study in the context of the liberal arts. Design the framework, in collaboration with professional colleagues and student leaders, for two First Year Experience courses, guiding approximately 2,500 students each semester.
• Develop weekly in-person engagement experiences to complement the curriculum of the courses, reflect the richness and diversity of campus, as well as connect students with signature engagement opportunities and high-impact practices such as learning abroad, research, internships, leadership, community engagement, and student organizations.
• Facilitate opportunities to increase sense of belonging among students, particularly through programming designed to support cohort building to promote retention and graduation.
• Serve as designated lead instructor for two FYE courses (CLA 1001 and CLA 1002).
• Independently create and assess online content in concert with the OSE team.

Student Peer Team Management (25%)

• Facilitate workshops and training sessions, particularly during the week-long summer retreat and ongoing biweekly training sessions.
• Supervise, or co-supervise, one FYE Student Director position in the areas of Communications, Analytics, or Event Programming (determined in collaboration with OSE staff and based on skills, experience, and interest).
• Assist in recruitment and hiring process, with a particular focus on recruiting a qualified, diverse, and passionate pool of candidates to fulfill the program's current need to onboard approximately 150 student leaders per annual hiring cycle.

Advising Projects and Partnerships (25%)

• Work with CLA and University colleagues to develop strategic partnerships, including the CLA Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program and CLA President's Emerging Scholars program.
• Assist in the development of new programming initiatives with CLA Career & Internship Services, the CLA Career Readiness Initiative, the Center for
  Academic Planning & Exploration, University Libraries, and other campus partners.
• Contribute to the overall vision and direction of FYE by identifying and pursuing new initiatives that align with the core learning outcomes and/or the CLA Roadmap.
• Serve on Collegiate and University committees to streamline initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS in relevant field plus at least 4 years of related professional experience, or master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a counseling, student services, liberal arts, or relevant field
• Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Excellent skills in communication (written and oral), multicultural awareness, mastering and disseminating complex information, computer literacy (including word processing, database usage, email, web searching, and reporting), and time management.
• Capacity to articulate the nature and advantages of a liberal arts education.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of leading theories and best practices related to first-year experience, students in transition, and student support.
• Education program development experience.
• Leadership or supervisory experience with student staff, including hiring and ongoing training.
• Experience with teaching at the college level, including curriculum creation and knowledge of web-based software.
• Experience with University of Minnesota student support services and liberal arts programs.
• Tolerance of ambiguity and enthusiasm for innovation.
• Additional relevant higher education advising, student services, or related experience working with college students.

Pay Range: $51,500 - $61,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. A resume and cover letter are required for consideration.

The priority application deadline for this position is Monday, June 2, 2025.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).