Director of New Student Programs and Engagement
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Position Summary
The Director of New Student Programs and Engagement serves as a key leader within the Student Experience Leadership Team. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Students, the director provides leadership for new student transition programs, campus engagement initiatives, and signature experiences that support student success, belonging, and retention.
The director oversees orientation programs, Welcome Weekend, first-year and transfer student initiatives, Family Weekend, and other major campus events designed to connect students and families to the university community. The position also advises the Campus Activities Board and collaborates closely with campus partners and external vendors to develop and execute engaging, inclusive, and student-centered programming that enhances the overall student experience.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Undergraduate and graduate student employees
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for all new student transition initiatives including orientation, Welcome Weekend, transfer transition programming, and first-year engagement efforts.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive orientation experience for new students and families that supports student success and connection to the university community.
- Supervise and advise the Campus Activities Board in the planning and execution of campus-wide programs and traditions.
- Lead the planning and coordination of major university events including Family Weekend, Welcome Weekend and Week, and other signature campus traditions.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor orientation leaders and student programming boards.
- Collaborate with campus partners to support successful student transition and engagement efforts.
- Develop innovative engagement opportunities that increase participation and strengthen campus community.
- Assess program effectiveness through student feedback, participation data, and retention metrics to improve the student experience.
- Manage departmental budgets, contracts, vendors, and event logistics associated with major campus programming.
- Serve on university committees as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor or divisional vice president.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in progress or completed is preferred.
- Experience supervising full-time professional staff or graduate assistants.
- Experience with planning orientation and large-scale campus events.
- Knowledge of current issues and trends in higher education student support services and engagement.
- Commitment to confidentiality and adherence to laws and policies governing student services.
- Dedication to student and family support and serving a variety of student and family populations.
- Proven ability to lead collaborative efforts among various constituencies.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Skilled in handling sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism and diplomacy.
Additional Requirements and Expectations
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
- Ability to travel with students, faculty, and staff throughout campus.
- Standard office hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend hours based on demand.
Behavioral Expectations
- Maintain high integrity, confidentiality and ethical standards.
- Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
- Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
- Treat other individuals with dignity, respect and kindness.
- Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, and values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
Position requirements in the above mentioned role indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove or waive the position's responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
Application Process
While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a:
- Cover letter, specifically discussing how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position.
- Resume, including the names and emails of three references. References will only be contacted for finalists, and candidates will be notified in advance.
Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir-Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.