Living and Learning Programs Manager

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to building a skilled team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility

A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility

Medical, dental, and vision options

Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Residence Life, through intentional relationship building, provides an inclusive and supportive educational living environment where students develop the skills and knowledge to think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. The Department is a team of diverse and uniquely experienced professional staff, graduate hall directors, and student leaders who collaborate, support, challenge, and have fun together.

Residence Life provides on-campus living for all first-year and second-year students. As part of the University wide First-Year Experience (FYE), first-year students are required to complete a Learning Community Requirement where they participate in either a Living Learning Community (LLC) or a Theme-Based Learning Community (TBLC). The Program Manager provides leadership for the FYE, leadership and management of the LLCs, and coordination of the co-curricular requirement for the TBLCs. The Program Manager also provides leadership and coordination of the Second-Year Interest Housing Communities. These are self-selection/opt-in communities for second-year students where partnerships with academic units provide students with a living and learning experience in their second year on campus.

The Program Manager will focus on the implementation and coordination of co-curricular student learning that aligns with the division's Tommie Advantage curricular approach and emphasizes collaboration across the division and university. The position will serve on the Residence Life team and the First-Year Experience team, and the position will work closely with Enrollment Services, Faculty, Academic Affairs, Academic Counseling & Support, the Center for Student Achievement, the Center for the Common Good, and Student Affairs. Through these partnerships, the Program Manager will provide students the opportunities to engage with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to participate in community engagement/service as part of our mission to Advance the Common Good.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide Leadership and Coordination for First-Year Living Learning Communities:

Serve on the First-Year Experience team and collaborate with the First-Year Experience Co-Directors, Academic Counseling & Support, Faculty and Academic Affairs Administration to secure courses, faculty, and/or academic connections to the living learning communities.

Ensure the creation of communities and learning opportunities that support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the retention of underrepresented students.

Through partnerships with faculty, academic affairs, and other campus units, ensure the implementation of out-of-class activities for LLC students that create in-depth learning and engagement experiences with faculty, peers, curriculum, and the campus community.

Collaborate with Enrollment Services to market, recruit, and onboard first-year students into the First-Year Experience Learning Community Requirement (Living Learning Communities and Theme-Based Learning Communities).

Serve on the FYE Advisory Board to support the development and implementation of the First-Year Experience Program and the Tommie Advantage curriculum.

Partner with the Center for Student Achievement to design and implement a model of continuous assessment and improvement.

Partner with the Center for the Common Good to provide community engagement/service opportunities for students.

Provide Assistance and Support for First-Year Theme-Based Learning Communities:

Assist Theme Coordinators in outreach to campus partners about TBLC co-curricular partnerships.

Assist with logistics in planning and executing TBLC Kick-Off events during Fall and Spring semesters.

Support planning and execution of co-curricular events in partnership with Theme Coordinators.

Run reports on student TBLC co-curricular completion.

Identify outreach opportunities and work with Theme Coordinators to implement outreach to students about completing the co-curricular requirement.

Provide Leadership and Coordination for Second-Year Interest Housing:

Create, Design and Launch Second-Year Interest Housing as part of the two-year residency requirement and integration of living and learning across campus.

Collaborate with Faculty and Academic Affairs to secure academic connections to all second-year interest housing communities.

Collaborate cross-divisionally on the Second-Year Experience Program to provide experiential and applied learning, ie, academic success, career and life preparation, inclusive leadership, wellness, and sustainability.

Partner with the Center for Student Achievement to design and implement a model of continuous assessment and improvement.

Manage a Living Learning Program Budget and Supervise Staff:

In partnership, provide management for a budget of approximately $160,000.

Provide supervision for undergraduate student staff and possibly graduate student assistants.

Provide general Department, Division and University Support:

Provide general office coverage, answering phones, greeting guests, and staffing events/services, including providing general operational tasks for the Department, including supporting other administrative roles with communications, budget, assignments, facility management, and event support.

Participate on division level committees and support general division responsibilities.

Opportunity and encouragement to teach a First-Year Experience course.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

Five years of relevant experience

Fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or eligible for legally required exemption such as a medical or religious reason

Preferred Qualifications

Prior work experience in a higher education setting

Master's degree in related field

Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, including selection, work planning, organization, employee training and evaluation, employee discipline

Experience working in Student Affairs or Residence Life

Background with curricular approach to work in Residence Life and/or Student Affairs