Asst Director Student Engagement and Bonner Scholars Program

Cover letters are REQUIRED to be considered for this position.

Applications submitted by August 21st will receive priority review.

Position Summary:

Develops and implements high-impact civic engagement learning experiences for the Bonner Scholars Program (BSP) and a range of integrated, innovative, civic learning initiatives through the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement (CCE). Includes the creation and delivery of educational content, conducting comprehensive student advising, developing and implementing program recruitment strategies, and supporting student initiatives that catalyze civic reflection and agency, campus and community partnerships, and democratically engaged assessment practices.

Bonner Scholars Program Administration & Delivery (70%)

Student Programming

• Creates, implements, and delivers innovative, high-impact educational programming and civic engagement curricula for students participating in the Bonner Scholars Program, supporting their learning, growth, and development. Involves student leadership development, financial stewardship, resource management, and programmatic alignment with the CCE’s learning outcomes. Programming includes, but is not limited to, issue-based and professional development curricula to advance civic action and learning, short-term trips and multi-day educational programs, robust civic action and learning opportunities, and internships that align with community-identified goals and needs in Richmond, VA, and beyond. 

• Designs, develops, and delivers needed resources and opportunities that facilitate meaningful onboarding, engagement, and reflection for students from diverse backgrounds who are committed to civic engagement. Utilizes inclusive facilitation and pedagogical strategies to create collaborative learning environments that incorporate diverse perspectives and foster student agency and leadership.

• Provides needed input into the CCE’s approach to developing, implementing, and sustaining strategic off-campus relationships in response to campus and community-identified needs.

• Liaises with Bonner Foundation staff to share educational resources, participate in learning communities, and strengthen network collaboration. 

Student Leadership Development & Advising

• Supports the recruitment and supervision of the Bonner Scholar student leadership team, consisting of students who take lead roles in educational programming, full participation, and retention of peers in student engagement experiences. Includes hiring, training, goal development, and resolving work-related challenges.

• Supports students in the development of their agency and program leadership through student-led program creation and implementation. Includes cohort meetings, community-building experiences, and annual overnight cornerstones.

• Initiates and provides high-quality advising by creating resource guides, offering one-to-one guidance, and offering professional development trainings to ensure meaningful and impactful participation in long-term, community-based, civic engagement experiences for students from diverse backgrounds.

• Provides relevant programmatic support for academic-year service requirements for select cohorts in the Bonner Scholars Program.

BSP Admissions 

• Works with the Bonner Scholars Program Director, University Admissions, and communications staff to deliver and implement strategies to promote the Bonner Scholars Program to incoming students and Walk-on scholars.

• Supports and implements strategies to evaluate Bonner applicants by coordinating selection committees, rubrics, and comprehensive applicant analysis.

• Enrolls new Bonner Scholars and works with Academic Advising to ensure successful onboarding.

Miscellaneous

• Provides additional programmatic support to contribute to the success of the program and fulfill Foundation expectations, at the discretion of the Bonner Scholars Program Director.

Bonner Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) initiatives and programs (20%)

• Contributes to and leads select, CCE programs by working with multiple campus stakeholders to establish outcomes, timelines, resource management, content delivery, and evaluation methods.

• Contributes to high-impact, student-led community-engagement experiences focused on select, community-identified, issue-based needs to advance civic action and learning. May include, but not limited to, weekly community engagement experiences, short-term trips, multi-day educational programs, community-engaged learning workshops, and group dialogues.

• Develops, and stewards select campus partnerships, supporting short—and long-term goals, strategic planning, and program development. Includes liaising with students, faculty, and staff leadership across campus, identifying opportunities for student connectivity, civic engagement, and leadership.

• Represents the CCE and the Student Engagement Team on select programmatic committees to uphold a community-engaged perspective and support the implementation of programs that reflect the CCE’s values.

Assessment, learning, and professional development (5%)

Assessment

• Delivers and implements high-impact assessment tools and maintains evaluative data designed to enhance student reflection and learning and strengthen the impact of cocurricular civic and community engagement programs. Includes the evaluation of student experiences, updating relevant records; and contributing to special reports for a variety of audiences.

• Evaluates assessment-related strategies to understand and strengthen the impact of co-curricular civic engagement programs.

Learning and Professional Development

• Contributes to and participates in the learning and development of best practices of civic engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion in a higher ed context through a variety of avenues (e.g., conferences, webinars, and staff trainings).

• Promotes and represents the CCE in select national, civic-engagement scholarship networks. May promote and represent the CCE and UR in national networks dedicated to advancing the work of civic engagement in higher ed.

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, skills & abilities: 

• Collaboration and Relationship-building

  • Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

  • Ability to build strong relationships with students, faculty, community partners, and staff

• Communication

  • Excellent writing and oral communication skills

  • Strong Proficiency in Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

  • Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.

• Administration

  • Ability to gather data and compile information

  • Record maintenance skills.

  • Database management skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

  • Strong project management and budgetary skills

  • Ability to quickly learn new web-based tools (e.g., AirTable, MailChimp, Bannerweb, Calendly)

• Program Management

  • Ability to assess and evaluate programs

  • Skill in organizing resources, establishing priorities, and multi-tasking.

  • Ability to analyze and solve problems.

• Student development

  • Ability to recruit, train, and motivate volunteers

  • Ability to recruit, train, and supervise student interns 

  • Ability to lead, train, and support student leaders

  • Ability to manage student employees

  • Ability and desire to utilize arts-integrated teaching methods

  • Demonstrated investment in the intersection of community engagement and higher education

  • Demonstrated commitment to learning and critical reflection

  • Knowledge of and experience with curriculum development

  • Knowledge of and experience with civic education and civic skills

• Civic Engagement

  • Knowledge of and experience with social issues

  • Knowledge of and experience with non-profits

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• A minimum of two years’ experience working in higher ed or k-12 is required.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time; Exempt position

• Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM, however, some nights and weekends may be required.

Pay Structure:

Grade 6 ($50,461 to $66,851 annually)