Director of Student Activities - Office of Student & Residence Life

About the Role

The Director of Student Activities is a key member of Student Life and Success at Ashland University, responsible for creating significant opportunities for student engagement that foster a sense of belonging, learning, and personal/professional growth, while also aiding in student retention.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, plan, implement, and evaluate traditional campus-wide events including the Involvement Fair, Welcome Tent, Week of Welcome, Homecoming, and Springfest, among others.
• Advise the Campus Activities Board (CAB), the primary student programming organization, with responsibilities including supervision, selection, contract negotiation, program implementation, and evaluation. Assist in recruitment, selection, training, and holistic development of CAB members and attend campus events.
• Advise the Technical Productions Crew, the student-led organization providing sound, stage, and lighting for campus programs.
• Advise the Activities, Budgeting, and Chartering Committee (ABCC) of Student Senate on matters of chartering and funding. Serve as historian and non-voting member.
• Provide budget oversight for all student organization funding.
• Serve as the staff liaison for 100+ student organizations. Implement annual processes including roster updates to Engage, provisional and full charter applications, and funding requests.
• Maintain the Student Organization Manual.
• Create, implement, and assess training for student organizations, including policies, procedures, and utilization of Engage Ashland software.
• Manage Engage Ashland software, the Engage Ashland Instagram account, and create publicity materials to increase platform usage. Approve events and forms submitted through Engage.
• Manage the Student Organization Resource Room and all event supplies.
• Host Programming Team meetings and maintain the programming calendar.
• Assist with Orientation programs and support the implementation of orientation initiatives, including June/July Summer Orientation Days and Orientation Weekend.
• Co-facilitate the annual Hazing Prevention training session during Orientation Weekend.
• Plan and facilitate the annual Leadership & Service awards program.
• Attend the annual NACA conference with a student delegation.
• Supervise an undergraduate intern.
• Serve on the Strategic Planning Team, Theme 3B: Modernize and reimagine residential living and programming to enhance recruitment, retention, and student satisfaction.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required plus a minimum of two (2) years full-time, professional experience in a college setting.
• Effective use of organizational and planning skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to build positive and meaningful rapport with students.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.
• Ability to work as an individual and as a member of a team.
• Mandatory Title IX reporter.
• Applicant must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Ashland University will not sponsor or take over sponsorship for an employment visa.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Prior professional experience in college student programming and advising student organizations, contract negotiation, and budget management.
• Candidate should consider living near Ashland, Ohio, as this position requires frequent evening and weekend hours.

Physical Demands

• Evening and weekend hours.
• Heavy lifting, use of ladders, unloading/loading event trucks.

Anticipated start date: 09/14/2026. Full-time position, 40 hours per week.