Coordinator for Campus Traditions & Student Engagement, UMKC Division of Student Affairs

This is a full-time professional staff role within the Office of Student Involvement in the Division of Student Affairs. The position focuses on implementing student engagement programs, outreach efforts, and coordinated initiatives that expand student connection to UMKC and strengthen student belonging.

About the role

The Coordinator serves in a highly visible, student-facing role and is expected to be actively engaged in student spaces, campus events, and outreach efforts. This position executes high-impact programming that strengthens connection to the institution through campus-wide traditions, large-scale engagement initiatives, and late-night programming such as Roos After Dark. Responsibilities include support for signature efforts connected to Homecoming and intentional partnership-building with Athletics and other campus collaborators. The role also coordinates outreach and communication efforts across the Office of Student Involvement, ensuring alignment and visibility for departmental initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate a portfolio of student engagement programs with emphasis on campus traditions, large-scale engagement efforts, and late-night programming.
• Execute assigned events from planning through assessment, including logistics, staffing, event flow, and post-event evaluation.
• Lead signature campus experiences connected to institutional traditions, including Homecoming and other major engagement efforts.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with campus partners, including Athletics, to strengthen student connection to the institution through shared events and traditions.
• Maintain a visible presence before, during, and after programs to support student engagement and event quality.
• Advise the Union Programming Board (UPB) with an emphasis on student development, leadership growth, and organizational effectiveness.
• Provide guidance, structure, and accountability to support strong student-led programming while ensuring students maintain ownership of their ideas, planning processes, and event execution.
• Collaborate with a graduate assistant and student leaders to support the continuity and success of UPB while promoting a student-driven approach to programming.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage unengaged and under-engaged students, including commuter students and others who may not naturally connect to existing involvement opportunities.
• Use marketing and outreach tools such as social media, texting platforms, tabling, direct student engagement, print materials, digital media, webpages, and collaborative outreach efforts with campus partners.
• Create intentional pathways for students to participate in campus traditions and build a culture of spirit, pride, and belonging.
• Collaborate with colleagues within the Office of Student Involvement and Division of Student Affairs to improve visibility of engagement opportunities, programs, and student resources.
• Coordinate consistent promotion of programs and services through shared marketing and communication planning, including supervision of a student marketing team.
• Develop and deliver training related to event planning, program execution, and involvement processes for student organizations and student leaders.
• Provide resources, guidance, and skill-building opportunities that improve the quality and effectiveness of student-led programs.
• Contribute to leadership development efforts that strengthen student engagement and organizational effectiveness across campus.
• Supervise and collaborate with a graduate assistant and/or student staff in executing programs and outreach strategies.
• Evaluate programs and outreach strategies using participation data, student feedback, and engagement trends, and use that information to improve future efforts.
• Manage assigned program budgets responsibly and in accordance with university policies, including monitoring expenditures and maintaining accurate records related to events and programming initiatives.

Expected deliverables

• Consistent execution of campus traditions, late-night programming, and other assigned engagement initiatives.
• Visible outreach efforts to increase engagement among commuters and other under-engaged student populations.
• Coordinated marketing and communication support that advances visibility for the broader Office of Student Involvement and Division of Student Affairs portfolio.
• Maintenance and creation of marketing initiatives such as print materials, webpages, digital media, and communications.
• Administration of Office of Student Involvement social media accounts, in accordance with relevant university policies.
• Partnership-building with Athletics, Student Affairs colleagues, and other campus collaborators in support of student connection and traditions.
• Event training resources and developmental support for student organizations and student leaders.
• Clear supervision and effective utilization of a graduate assistant and/or student staff.
• Assessment-informed improvements to outreach and programming efforts over time.

Schedule

The position includes weekend and evening work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree strongly preferred in Higher Education, Educational Administration, Student Personnel Administration, or related field.
• 2-3 years of student involvement and/or event planning experience preferred.
• Supervision of student staff or advising of students and/or student organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated willingness and commitment to working with students, families, and university faculty/staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge and practice of student development theory to support student leadership and student involvement.
• Experience with event planning and management, including contract negotiation and implementation.
• Experience with marketing and social media management tools and platforms.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $53,976 - $55,000 annually. Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Benefits

This position is eligible for University benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement contributions.
• Paid time off, short- and long-term disability.
• Paid parental leave and paid caregiver leave.
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.

Location

UMKC’s campuses are located in Kansas City, which offers a vibrant urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city features thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, diverse shopping, champion sports teams, and a renowned culinary scene, particularly its world-famous barbecue. The Volker Campus is minutes from the Country Club Plaza, while the Health Sciences Campus is downtown near major hospitals.