COORDINATOR OF FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Requisition funded through the Title III Elevate-U initiative at Northwestern State University. Full-time, 12-month unclassified position.

About the role

The Coordinator for First Year Experience and Leadership Development supports student engagement, leadership development, Living-Learning Communities, mentoring initiatives, and first- and second-year student success programming. The role works collaboratively with Student Experience, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Resident Mentors, faculty, staff, and campus partners to strengthen student engagement, leadership development, retention, and persistence. The position also supports program assessment, student outreach, and implementation of high-impact practices aligned with Title III grant objectives.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support First-Year Experience programming and initiatives.
• Assist with the development and implementation of sophomore leadership programming.
• Develop leadership workshops and student development opportunities aligned with Elevate-U goals.
• Support student engagement efforts that strengthen student belonging, persistence, and success.
• Coordinate programming for Elevate-U Living-Learning Communities.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support Resident Mentors.
• Develop mentoring and coaching opportunities within Living-Learning Communities.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and student leaders to strengthen community engagement.
• Collaborate with Student Experience, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and other university departments to support student success initiatives.
• Assist with orientation, transition, leadership, and engagement activities designed to improve student retention and persistence.
• Maintain an annual calendar of student engagement and leadership programming aligned with grant objectives.
• Track student participation in Elevate-U programs and activities.
• Support collection and organization of participation and outcome data.
• Participate in monthly reporting meetings and contribute to Quarterly Reports and Annual Performance Reports (APR).
• Review Title III benchmarks and align program activities with grant objectives.
• Evaluate student participation, satisfaction, and outcomes related to leadership and engagement initiatives.
• Recommend program improvements based on assessment findings.
• Present program outcomes and best practices through reports, campus presentations, or professional forums.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of Elevate-U programming.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in education, higher education, student affairs, counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Minimum one to three (1 to 3) years of experience working with college students from different cultural heritages and identities and facilitating the coexistence of people in a culturally diverse community.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability in project management and problem-solving.
• Experience planning and implementing large-scale programs, events, or initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex, fast-paced, student-centered office environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Windows-based applications, including experience with database management.
• Experience managing and creating content for social media platforms, including strategic planning, audience engagement, and analytics tracking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience working with college students.
• Experience working with diverse student populations, including first-generation and low-income students.
• Experience with first-year experience, leadership development, student engagement, mentoring, retention, or orientation initiatives.
• Experience supervising student employees, peer mentors, or student leaders.
• Strong partnership-building skills across campus units.
• Ability to work independently while aligning with program goals and benchmarks.
• Commitment to data-informed decision making and continuous improvement.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Professionalism, reliability, and discretion.
• Willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend student programming.

About the program

Elevate-U is Northwestern State University’s comprehensive student success initiative funded through the U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions Program. Guided by Louisiana’s Momentum Framework and national student success best practices, Elevate-U focuses on helping students:

• Make purposeful academic choices
• Maintain credit momentum
• Reach key academic milestones
• Persist to graduation

The initiative integrates advising, mentoring, Living-Learning Communities, leadership development, and coordinated support services to promote student success and degree completion.