Student Engagement Coordinator and President's Emerging Scholars Program Lead

Student Engagement Coordinator and President's Emerging Scholars Program Lead

Reporting to the Director of Student Engagement and Academic Operations (SEAO), the Student Engagement Coordinator supports CFANS' student engagement strategies through a dual focus: delivering targeted advising and programming for students in the President's Emerging Scholars Program, and coordinating inclusive student engagement and programming efforts that serve all CFANS undergraduate students and foster connection to the college community.

The person in this role provides coordination and execution of each area of accountability; therefore, the successful candidate will need to have excellent creative visionary skills coupled with strong attention to detail and follow-through. This role will sometimes require flexibility in working hours.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Student Engagement Program Management (30%)

• In collaboration with the Student Engagement Coordinator: CFANS President's Emerging Scholars Specialist and the CFANS Student Engagement Team (CSET), assist in the design, planning, and execution of student engagement programs that enhance CFANS undergraduate students' sense of belonging in the college community and overall college experience
• Assess and develop new programs as opportunities and initiatives arise
• Partner with student organizations, faculty, staff, and external vendors to expand engagement opportunities
• Provide opportunities for students to build leadership skills through mentorship, workshops, and hands-on experiences
• Develop strategies to encourage diverse student participation through targeted outreach campaigns and promotional activities
• Work closely with CFANS Communications team to gather and create content for student engagement web pages and social media.
• Assist in managing the budget for student engagement programs, ensuring proper allocation of funds and adherence to financial policies, request supplemental funding as necessary
• Stay informed about trends in student engagement and implement new ideas to enhance program impact.

College Event and Initiative Programming (10%)

• Coordinate the planning and execution of Family Weekend events specific to the college
• Coordinate the planning and execution of First-Generation Student Week Programming event in collaboration with the College of Design
• In collaboration with the Student Services Coordinator, coordinate the execution of National Transfer Student Week
• Serve as staff Partner for CFANS House Living Learning Community in Bailey Hall
• Design, plan, and execute student engagement programs for the CFANS House LLC that meet College objectives and student learning outcomes while enhancing their sense of belonging and overall college experience
• Act as CFANS Liaison to Housing and Residential Life

Undergraduate Commencement (20%)

• Provide leadership in the coordination of the CFANS Commencement Ceremony which is attended by over 400 graduates, their guests, faculty, honored guests, and staff each year
• Manage student communication and RSVP process
• Coordinate student, volunteer, and faculty involvement
• Collaborate with the Office of Information Technology to build a comprehensive database of graduate information
• Collaborate with the CFANS Communications Team regarding website content, faculty communication, program content, and keynote speaker selection
• Collaborate with the SEAO staff to recruit Student Marshals
• Collaborate with venue staff regarding rental contracts and needs
• Collaborate with the Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Director of Communications, and CFANS Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations regarding speaking roles and special guests
• Arrange floral, musicians, signage, photographers, name readers, and student lineup
• Manage the Student Speaker process in collaboration with the Assistant Dean - solicit student speaker nominations, form a review committee, etc

President's Emerging Scholars Administration and Advising (30%)

• Communicate with Scholars frequently to build trusting relationships with the Scholars, work to ensure high participation rates
• Monitor Scholars' academic, social and professional progress through frequent meetings
• Meet with Scholars as needed to provide direct support, coaching, and referrals to campus resources
• Coach Scholars in a culturally informed manner through the major and career decision-making process by developing an individualized, action-oriented plan to assist students in overcoming barriers as they move toward degree progress and timely graduation
• Using APLUS, PeopleSoft, APAS, and other software information systems, monitor Scholars' progress toward degree, use data to share information about learning opportunities and resources, as well as providing support for those in academic difficulty
• Track and maintain up-to-date individual student records and notes, report on data as requested
• Identify retention strategies and needs for Scholars, as well as for special populations (e.g., disability, sexual orientation, veteran, first generation), and share best practices with college colleagues
• Build and maintain knowledge of university and collegiate policies and curricular requirements through trainings and collaboration with professional advising staff
• Build academic supports for Scholars utilizing campus partners
• Participate in relevant CFANS prospective student events such Orientation
• Build collaborative relationships with colleagues in CFANS, the UMN community, and others, to develop strong programming and for referral purposes
• Recruit for and support the PES peer mentoring program
• Support Central PES office in programming and initiatives as requested

President's Emerging Scholars Programming and Student Engagement (10%)

• Develop, coordinate, facilitate and execute high impact monthly programming (during the academic year) to engage, support and retain Scholars, expanding their academic, personal, sociocultural and career experience
• Provide opportunities for students to build leadership skills through mentorship, workshops, and hands-on experiences
• Partner with student organizations, faculty, staff, and external vendors to expand engagement opportunities, delivering workshops on topics that relate to: academic support, study skills, time management, community building, career/professional development, study abroad, undergraduate research, diversity, etc.
• Manage budget for PES programming, ensuring proper allocation of funds and adherence to financial policies.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including the occasional evenings and weekends
• Evidence of effective relationship-building, team-building, and communication skills
• Experience in creating, developing, and coordinating engaging student programs
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively
• Ability to effectively communicate across race, class, and culture
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of constituencies (students, staff, faculty) in a diverse community
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to manage simultaneous programs, initiate projects and see them through

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity working with student organizations or supervising undergraduate students
• Demonstrated commitment to leadership development, civic engagement, and applying social and racial equity practices
• Proven ability to lead meetings with multiple partners and stakeholders
• Positive, motivated, and enthusiastic work style

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences is a college of approximately 1,700 undergraduate students pursuing degrees at the University of Minnesota. The college offers fourteen majors and twenty-six minors to prepare students for their first job and for the job they'll have 20 years from now-many of which don't even exist yet.

CFANS Student Services is a team of over twenty professional staff members; each contributing to the shared responsibility of advancing the mission and vision of the college. These staff serve students in the areas of: academic advising, learning abroad, academic programs, scholarships, student services, and student engagement.

Pay Range: $59,500 - $61,500 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 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.

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.

Please include a resume and cover letter in your application. Job will be open until filled, with a priority deadline of 2/26/2026.

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).