Job Description: Job Title: Student Engagement Specialist Department: Enrollment Management Reports To: Vice Provost, this position will highly engage with Admissions, Student Affairs, Academic Advising, and Academic Affairs Job Summary: The Student Engagement Specialist links Student Life, Admissions, and Academic Affairs, ensuring a seamless transition for students from prospective status to engaged members of the university community. This position supports student success by providing guidance on financial aid and prospective/new student programming while also fostering student retention and institutional goals. Through collaboration with both Enrollment and Student Life, the role facilitates student engagement initiatives, enhances the student experience, and strengthens university retention efforts. This role will own the New Student Onboarding process. Interview Component: Through hypothetical scenarios, candidates must demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to problem solve and communicate effectively with and on a student's behalf. Key Responsibilities: Student Support & Admissions Liaison: Serve as a point of contact for prospective students, guiding them through the admissions process and financial aid navigation, and connecting students with their academic advisor for course scheduling. Provide front-line financial aid support, including FAFSA completion, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines. Collaborate with Academic Advisors to ensure new students' course schedules align with degree requirements and career aspirations. Offer individualized support to new students, addressing common concerns and connecting them with relevant university resources. Lead the Student ID process for new students Student Engagement & Retention: Develop and implement programs that promote student engagement in university life, including welcome back to school week, preparing for key university learning experiences, and other milestone academic events. Organize workshops and events that support student success and financial literacy. Collaboration & Institutional Support: Work closely with Admissions, Student Life, and Academic Affairs to align recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies. Serve as a key liaison between prospective students and current student engagement initiatives to create a seamless transition into university life. Support other departments in various programs and events, including but not limited to university learning experiences, commencement, recruitment, informational sessions, mixers, etc. Provide program support for university-sponsored programs and events, including but not limited to Weeks of Welcome, Commencement, and University Learning Experiences. Compliance & Reporting: Complete internal financial training (Canvas: FA 101) to ensure compliance with financial aid policies. Generate reports on new and prospective student programming, retention, and admissions conversion rates for university leadership. Strategic Contribution: Support university goals by actively participating in strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts related to student retention. Work with university leadership to implement best practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in student retention. Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred) from a regionally accredited institution. Experience: 3+ years of experience in higher education, student services, admissions, financial aid, or a similar role. Knowledge & Skills: General understanding of financial aid processes, admissions procedures, and student support services. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse student populations. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to work collaboratively across departments to enhance student success. Technological proficiency, including familiarity with Student Information Systems (SIS), financial aid platforms, and CRM tools such as Salesforce and Campus Nexus. Skills & Competencies: Student-Centered Approach: Strong commitment to supporting student success and well-being. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information. Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve student issues efficiently. Multitasking: Capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Work Environment
& Salary: Work Mode: Remote with minimal required travel. Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000 annually. Compensation & Benefits This opportunity is budgeted at $26.44 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below. https://www.saybrook.edu/about/careers/ Saybrook University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Saybrook University was founded over 50 years ago by some of the greatest minds of the 20th century and continues to inspire a new generation of innovators. A non-profit regionally accredited university known for its commitment to humanistic studies and rigorous research, Saybrook University’s academic model puts the student at the center of everything we do to provide a unique, transformational, learning experience. Saybrook offers advanced degrees in organizational systems, psychology, mind-body medicine, and counseling, all in flexible learning formats to help students continue to be active contributors to the fields they work in while they advance their education. Saybrook University is proud to be a community of creative, compassionate innovators dedicated to pursing new ways of thinking and doing for our professions, organizations, and communities. Saybrook acknowledges its legal and ethical duty to afford equal treatment and equal opportunity to all persons, and thus complies with all applicable laws. As required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and all other applicable federal and state laws, Saybrook does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination and harassment against its employees, students, and applicants based on race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, creed, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or different ability, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, military status, political activities/affiliations, or other impermissible reason in its programs. This policy of non-discrimination applies to all aspects of admission, education, employment, financial aid, student activities, and other school-administered programs. Saybrook also bars retaliation against any employee, student, or applicant who files a complaint of discrimination. Saybrook University is an affiliate of nonprofit The Community Solution, which features a network of fellow nonprofit institutions, each backed by a model of education that prepares socially responsible professionals in applied fields such as education, psychology, and law. Other The Community Solution affiliates include Pacific Oaks College, The Colleges of Law, The Chicago School, Pacific Oaks Children’s School, Kansas Health Science University, and University of Western States.