SWANA Initiatives Specialist

About the role

The SWANA Initiatives Specialist supports the development, coordination, implementation, and assessment of culturally relevant student success programs and workshops that center and celebrate the experiences, identities, and contributions of students of Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) descent. Through these efforts, the Specialist fosters a strong sense of belonging, cultural affirmation, and community connection, key factors that contribute to student persistence, retention, and overall graduation outcomes. The role prioritizes creating inclusive, identity-affirming spaces and initiatives that promote engagement, leadership development, and holistic student success within the SWANA student community.

Responsibilities

• Aid in the development, planning, coordination, and assessment of culturally-sustaining student success programs, events, activities, and workshops designed to support SWANA student transition, retention, and graduation.
• Stay informed and be familiar with institutional policies and procedures as it relates to program/event planning and implementation.
• Identify, build, and maintain relationships with affinity SWANA groups, including recognized student organizations to enhance coordinator presence with the SWANA student community.
• Participate in meetings and program planning committees to implement programming plans and identify additional collaborative partnerships for promoting and executing SWANA-rooted initiatives.
• Coordinate outreach efforts with Student Outreach and Recruitment, Admitted Spartan Day, University Orientation Programs, and Weeks of Welcome.
• Coordinate building relationships between Mosaic, CAPISE, and SJSU SWANA affinity groups.
• Assist with the recruitment, hiring, training, directing, supervision, and the evaluation of undergraduate student staff leaders.
• Supervise student staff by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and facilitating professional development; support students’ holistic well-being by monitoring workload and workplace climate, making referrals to campus resources, and advocating for conditions that promote student success and retention.
• Provide guidance and support to students by identifying needs, offering direction, and connecting students to appropriate campus and community resources to promote well-being, engagement, and success.
• Provide targeted support and advocacy for students experiencing barriers to persistence by connecting them to retention, basic needs, and crisis support services; coordinate appropriate referrals and interventions in alignment with university protocols.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings and events including room reservations, set-up, catering, and technology support.
• Assist with assessment efforts by collecting, tracking, and analyzing program data to assess effectiveness; prepare reports and summaries to inform program improvement and support student success outcomes.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field.
• Two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies, Sociology, Psychology or related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing or supporting programs and initiatives that foster student sense of belonging, community building, and engagement in a higher education environment.
• Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating student programs or workshops in a higher education setting.
• One year of experience hiring, training, and supervising college student staff, including providing ongoing mentorship and development.
• Experience collaborating with campus and community partners to support student needs and initiatives.

Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of and skill working with Southwest Asian & North African college students.
• Knowledge and understanding of asset-based frameworks used to support Southwest Asian & North African college students.
• Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of assessment techniques and ability to develop cohesive reports.
• Ability to use a broad range of computer skills and software.
• Ability to take initiative, collaborate, and complete projects.
• Ability to prepare various documents including program and activity schedules and workshop curricula.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply high level analytical skills to take effective action while independently carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to promote, organize, and facilitate group meetings.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple work priorities and organize various projects and to follow safety and confidentiality protocols.
• Ability to keep supervisor informed about goal progress and relevant campus partner initiatives.
• Ability to recommend initiatives and changes to improve quality of services/programs.
• Ability to independently handle multiple work unit priorities and projects.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Pay

$5,083/month

Schedule

N/A