Engagement and Outreach Coordinator

About the role

The Engagement and Outreach Coordinator supports Italian Studies initiatives, events, and community engagement activities. Working under the supervision of the Director of Italian Studies, the position works with faculty and staff to coordinate public programs, strengthen connections with students and community partners, promote Italian Studies activities, and increase the visibility of the program across the University and the broader Twin Cities community. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills, enthusiasm for student engagement and campus life, the ability to coordinate multiple projects and events, and an interest in building relationships among students, faculty, campus units, cultural organizations, businesses, and community partners.

The position is based at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The position may be performed on a hybrid basis, with remote work possible for planning, communications, and administrative responsibilities. In-person attendance is expected for events, meetings, and other activities requiring an on-campus presence.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Italian Studies Events and Programs (35%): Coordinate logistical planning for lectures, screenings, performances, workshops, student activities, and other Italian Studies events; communicate with speakers, performers, campus partners, vendors, and other participants regarding event logistics; coordinate event spaces, schedules, technology needs, catering, and related arrangements as needed; support on-site event setup, guest reception, and event implementation; maintain an annual calendar of Italian Studies events and initiatives.
• Promote Italian Studies Programs and Initiatives (30%): Promote Italian Studies events, courses, initiatives, and opportunities to students, faculty, and community audiences; prepare event announcements, newsletters, flyers, social media content, and other promotional materials; maintain and update program communication channels and event information; coordinate outreach with relevant University departments, student organizations, cultural organizations, and community partners; identify opportunities to increase awareness of Italian Studies programming and academic offerings.
• Develop Student and Community Engagement (25%): Develop strategies to increase student participation in Italian Studies events, courses, and activities; support initiatives that connect Italian Studies with students across departments and programs; develop and maintain relationships with Italian and Italian American cultural organizations, businesses, and other community partners in the Twin Cities; identify opportunities for collaborations, sponsorships, co-sponsored programming, and community-facing activities; gather feedback from students and event participants to help inform future programming and outreach.
• Support Program Planning and Administration (10%): Meet regularly with the Director of Italian Studies to coordinate priorities and upcoming initiatives; maintain basic records related to events, outreach activities, participation, and community contacts; document program activities and outcomes for internal reporting and future planning; support planning for recurring and new Italian Studies initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Italian Studies or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Availability to attend occasional evening and on-campus events

Preferred

• Familiarity with Italian language, culture, or Italian Studies
• Experience coordinating academic, cultural, arts, or community events
• Experience with outreach, communications, social media, or public engagement
• Experience engaging students and contributing to student-facing programming
• Existing connections with Italian and Italian American organizations, businesses, or community partners in the Twin Cities
• Experience working in a university, nonprofit, arts, or cultural organization
• Familiarity with University of Minnesota systems and procedures

Schedule

Approximately 4 hours per week, with scheduling determined in consultation with the Director of Italian Studies. Hours may vary from week to week depending on the timing of events and program activities. Occasional evening work may be required for public events. Position will end on January 12th, 2027. There is potential for an appointment extension in the Spring until May 31st, 2027.

Pay

Compensation: $25.00–30.00/hr, depending on education, qualifications, and experience. Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications.

About the department

Italian Studies at the University of Minnesota is an interdisciplinary program that explores Italian and Italian American language, literature, film, media, culture, and history from the Middle Ages to the present. The program connects the study of Italy with broader questions of migration, identity, race, gender, politics, cultural exchange, and globalization, while helping students develop linguistic proficiency, cultural fluency, critical thinking, and communication skills. Italian Studies combines a broad interdisciplinary curriculum with a close-knit, student-centered learning community. Through courses, public events, cultural programming, and partnerships across the University and the Twin Cities, the program creates opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with contemporary cultural and social issues.

The Department of French & Italian (FRIT) supports undergraduate and graduate education in French, Francophone, and Italian language, literature, culture, linguistics, and media while fostering multilingualism, intercultural competence, and global engagement. The department is committed to innovative, research-informed language instruction and to creating inclusive, collaborative learning environments that support student success across a wide range of curricular and co-curricular experiences.