Assistant Director of Student Life and Family Connections

Warren Wilson College is seeking a dynamic, student-centered leader to serve as the Assistant Director of Student Life and Family Connections. This role plays a key part in welcoming new students into our community and creating the experiences that help them thrive from their first day on campus through graduation. The Assistant Director leads major transition events throughout the year, including fall and spring orientation, welcome week, convocation, senior week, family programming, and commencement. This position also selects and trains our OWL student leaders (Orientation leaders), ensuring every new student feels supported, informed, and connected.

The Assistant Director also helps create a vibrant campus life by overseeing all student clubs and organizations, supporting new group formation, coordinating the annual Club Fair, and fostering inclusive collaboration among student groups. This role also supervises several Student Engagement crews, including the Student Activities Crew, Sage Crew, and sub-crews such as OWLs and Commencement. The Assistant Director recruits, trains, and mentors student crew members, manages timecards and performance, and maintains a strong presence at events and activities. They work closely with WPO (Work Program Office) , Academic Affairs, Admissions, and other campus partners to create seamless, meaningful experiences for students.

This position blends event coordination, student development, leadership training, and community-building. If you enjoy creating meaningful experiences, supporting student success, and helping build a welcoming and connected campus community, this is a wonderful opportunity to make an impact at Warren Wilson College.

Interested individuals should read further to learn more about the College and the responsibilities for this full-time, exempt position. Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter that describes how your previous experience will contribute to the role, the Progressive Promise and the mission of Warren Wilson College.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit their materials by Sunday, March 1, 2026. All applications must be received electronically. Please be aware that no relocation assistance is available for this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, or related field.
• At least 1 year experience working with college age populations and diverse groups, especially LGBTQ population.
• At least 1 year planning and implementing events.
• One to two years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and evidence of cross-cultural programming.
• Experience with graphic design (Canva, Adobe, or other platforms).
• Demonstrated commitment to growth and development in inclusive excellence.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with people from all backgrounds and perspectives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1 years experience in Student Affairs.
• 1 years experience managing orientation, student activities or student event planning skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and evaluate large scale programs and events.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Proven track record of innovative program development and successful implementation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Transition programming and events:

• Works with the Director of Inclusive Excellence & Student Success and the Assistant Director of Inclusive Excellence to implement transition programs and events (see below).
• Coordinates the following events and programs (not an exhaustive list and may change depending on student needs): Fall and spring orientation (see New Student Orientation below); Welcome week; Convocation, parents programming during orientation; Family Weekend (includes family reception); Senior week; and graduation.
• Teaches a Group Leadership Practicum in Spring Semester.
• Coordinate programming and events during New Student Orientation which includes the following:
  • Oversee, plan and implement the transition/orientation programs for the College.
  • Responsible for selecting and training OWL members and leaders for orientation.
  • Create and implement a streamlined student leader recruitment, training, and programming for all Orientation and Pre-Orientation Programs.
  • Coordinates closely with FYS (First Year Seminar) and pre-Orientation programs to help assure a seamless experience for students.
  • Support Pre-Orientation efforts including the following:
    • Support recruitment, logistics, and communication for the existing Pre-Orientation programs.
    • Assist with a centralized restructuring of Pre-Orientation Programs.
    • Assist with the collaboration with various academic departments and programs to develop new Pre-Orientation Options and Orientation sessions and experiences launched each academic year.
    • Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Admissions and other departments to grow Pre-Orientation Programs and evaluate investment in a model for full participation for incoming students.
• Responsible for selecting and training Student Engagement sub crews: OWL’s (Fall & Spring) and Commencement.
• Oversee Transitions social media accounts.

Crew Supervision:

Crews currently (may change and adapt to changing student needs) consist of the following: Student Activities Crew, Sage Crew, and sub Crews (OWL’s and Commencement).

• Supervise and train students in Crews.
• Collaborate with WPO in the recruitment and selection of student crew members.
• Attend WPO training, manage student timecards, assess performance of assigned crew members.
• Meet regularly with Crews and Crew leaders.
• Maintains presence at crew events.

Supervision of student organizations and clubs:

• Oversees campus organizations and clubs in terms of the process of attaining organizational and club status.
• Works with club supervisees to assure club integrity and effectiveness.
• Develops, implements and maintains all aspects of camps organizations and clubs to encourage new groups formation, opportunities for student learning, and involvement, adherence to campus guidelines, expectations and growth. This includes, but is not limited to maintaining contact information for participants, budget allocations, and written guidelines/procedures that govern student organizations and clubs.
• Coordinate annual Club Fair and provide support, training, advising, and resources to student clubs and organizations.
• Provide equipment training to club leaders and crews as needed.
• Collaborates with faculty, staff, and student organizations to create a cohesive and vibrant campus life.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Our mission: Warren Wilson College’s distinctive approach to education intentionally integrates academics, work, and community engagement to cultivate curiosity, empathy, and integrity. We empower graduates to pursue meaningful careers and lead purposeful lives dedicated to a just, equitable, and sustainable world.

We are committed to a culture of educational access and to ensuring that students and employees from a diverse range of identities and experiences will thrive in this community. We seek and support an academically and culturally diverse faculty and staff with a genuine interest in our innovative approach to education and focus on inclusive excellence, as well as a willingness to fully participate in the life of the College. We welcome applications from individuals who have experience working with diverse student populations.

Warren Wilson College is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.