Student Engagement Program Specialist - Events - University Center Student Activities and Involvement

About the role

The Student Engagement Program Specialist — Events provides subject matter expertise in student programming and experiential, co-curricular engagement that supports student learning, development, and high-impact campus experiences. This position serves as the primary advisor to UC Live, the university's programming board, and supports large-scale, student-led events that foster engagement, belonging, leadership development, and campus community.

Responsibilities

• Advise and supervise UC Live student leaders, Homecoming Steering Committee members, interns, and student employees, supporting leadership development, decision-making, and experiential learning.
• Develop and facilitate training programs focused on leadership, inclusion, event management, and risk awareness.
• Foster partnerships with campus and community stakeholders to enhance student engagement, belonging, and campus life.
• Plan, implement, and assess major campus programs, including welcome events, Homecoming, recognition programs, and weekly entertainment programming.
• Design and facilitate programming that advances institutional and Student Engagement learning outcomes.
• Ensure programs, services, and engagement opportunities are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of a diverse student population.
• Cover all aspects of event management, including contracts, staffing, scheduling, marketing, production support, and risk management.
• Negotiate contracts and represent the university at regional and national programming and contracting events.
• Collect and analyze participation, assessment, and learning outcome data to support reporting, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
• Manage the UC Live budget (approximately $94,000) and Homecoming budget (approximately $12,000), ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and compliance with university financial policies.
• Supervise the Program Specialist - Down Under and provide indirect supervision to student employees and interns.

• Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Education, Recreation Management, Event Management, Hospitality Management, Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.
  • At least one year of experience in student activities, event programming, campus engagement, or a related area.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate programs and events.
  • Experience supervising, training, scheduling, or leading student employees, volunteers, or professional staff.
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support programming and campus events.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience utilizing student engagement platforms, assessment tools, marketing strategies, and risk management practices.
  • Familiarity with university policies, student development theory, and training facilitation.
  • Master's degree or professional certification in Event Management, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Leadership, or a related field.
  • Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
  • Experience managing budgets, tracking expenditures, and overseeing financial transactions.