Assistant/Associate Director of Student Involvement

Are you passionate about shaping the first-year student experience? The Assistant/ Associate Director of Student Involvement and Engagement at Grinnell College focuses on enhancing the first-year student experience, supporting transitions for new and transfer students, and fostering meaningful student engagement.

In this role, you’ll design and implement innovative programs and initiatives tailored to the specific needs of first-year and transfer students as they transition to life at Grinnell College. You’ll be directly responsible for implementing a holistic student experience, and you’ll recruit, train, and lead the New Student Ambassador and Transfer Student Peer Mentor staff. Working closely with the

Dean of Student Involvement, you’ll coordinate and organize all transition and engagement processes for new students.

You’ll also actively support student involvement in co-curricular activities, events, and experiences that promote interpersonal and holistic growth. As an intentional educator, you’ll collaborate with the Student Involvement and Engagement team, faculty, staff, and students to develop a comprehensive approach to student success, orientation, and retention on an intellectually rigorous and diverse campus.

Most of all, you’ll be pivotal in building a sense of belonging and community among Grinnell College’s diverse student body.

• Oversee summer communication with incoming students and coordinate training and logistics for New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, and the First-Year Experience.
• Plan and implement Welcome Week and Involvement initiatives that connect students to one another and important resources, contributing to retention, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.
• Serve actively on the First-Year Experience leadership team.

• Recruit, interview, select, and supervise New Student Ambassadors, New Student Coordinators, Transfer Student Peer Mentors, and Weekend, student staff, providing regular check-ins and educational opportunities.
• Provide general advice to student organizations, review requests for student activity funds, and support their programmatic efforts.

• Manage seasonal updates to the orientation website and resources and gather satisfaction feedback from students to shape future programming.
• Develop, implement, and assess goals and learning outcomes that support the mission of the department, division, and the College.

• Serve as liaison to the Admission Office to support a successful transition for incoming students.
• Partner with colleagues across the Division of Student Affairs and campus, assist with major departmental programs and events, and perform other duties as assigned.

Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institution that values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates that align with these values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and belonging within our community and the communities we engage. Ideal candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the mission and values of the college across all constituencies.

• Master’s degree or equivalent
• One to two years for Assistant level and three to five years for Associate level of relevant work experience
• Works well with colleagues to reach shared goals
• Prioritizes tasks and manages time to meet deadlines
• Works independently and gets results
• Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all work
• Connects effectively with people of different backgrounds and styles
• Plans and runs successful events from start to finish
• Supports student growth through meaningful programs and experiences

• Higher education or social science preferred
• Must be willing to work non-traditional hours, including late nights and weekends(depending on the schedule of campus activities)