Student Life - Assistant Director of Student Transitions & Engagement

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

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To apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions. 

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs strives to engage students in opportunities across campus that encourage growth and a connection with others. Committed to providing a positive and inclusive environment that is responsive to the needs of students, the office provides intentional spaces for students to develop as leaders and individuals in true Pioneer character, heart and spirit. With the overall goal to increase student retention, the Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs will coordinate comprehensive year-long programs designed to provide leadership opportunities as well as the transitional programs that will enhance the student’s college experience. The Assistant Director of Student Transitions and Engagement will provide students and families the preparation, information, and support necessary for student success as they enter the university community and enhance the academic and personal growth of new students. This comprehensive program will include June orientations, Transfer and International Orientation, Welcome Week, the First 50 Days, First Year Experience (FYE) course and Family Weekend.

The Assistant Director will partner with the Director of First Year Programs to develop, implement, and assess comprehensive programs and initiatives that support the successful transition, engagement, and belonging of new undergraduate students, including first-year, transfer, and international students.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the social, engagement, and community-building components of Orientation, Welcome Weekend, and First 50 Days, ensuring programs are welcoming, inclusive, and aligned with departmental learning outcomes. 
• Coordinate and manage Transfer and International Student Orientation, including program logistics, communications, stakeholder collaboration, and assessment. 
• Recruit, train, supervise, and provide ongoing leadership development and training for Orientation Leaders and Orientation Leader Coordinators, fostering a high-performing student leadership team that supports new student transition. 
• Advise Orientation Leader Coordinators in the planning, staffing, implementation, and assessment of Orientation and Welcome Weekend activities and social programming. 
• Lead the development and implementation of transition-focused programming throughout the academic year, including initiatives within the First 50 Days that promote student engagement, belonging, and persistence. 
• Create and manage engaging digital, print, and social media content that promotes departmental programs, student engagement opportunities, and campus initiatives while maintaining consistent messaging and branding across First Year Programs and Student Involvement. 
• Coordinate the University's Pre-Fall Programs and Living Learning Community (LLC) application process, including marketing and recruitment, application management, student communications, move-in logistics, program coordination, and collaboration with academic and campus partners.
• Partner in the development and implementation of the Pioneers Together Initiative, using SHU Engage data and participation trends to identify uninvolved and unconnected students and coordinate outreach strategies that foster engagement, belonging, and student success.
• Collaborate with campus partners to provide educational programs, resources, and experiences that support student transition, engagement, and success. 
• Assist in the support coordination of campus traditions and signature programs, including President’s Gala, Carnival, Spring Fest, concerts, Involvement Fairs and Campus Life Leadership Awards and other department-wide engagement initiatives. 

Operations 

• Responsible for event logistics including set up, marketing and staffing.
• Assess programs and initiatives through participation data, student feedback, and learning outcomes to inform continuous improvement and enhance the student experience.
• Assist with recruitment activities including Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, and Divisional meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Master’s Degree preferred
• Minimum of (2) years experience within student affairs, including graduate work. 
• Experience with large-scale event planning and execution. 
• Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of student development theory, leadership, and inclusive programming.

Unusual Working Conditions

The position requires evening and weekend hours, as well as occasional holiday work as determined by the supervisor.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.