The Placement Exchange Job Board

Southwestern University, located in Georgetown has an immediate opening for a Summer Orientation and Student Programs Coordinator position. The Summer Orientation and Student Programs Coordinator role is a summer graduate internship opportunity. The coordinator provides support and leadership for Southwestern’s summer orientation programs that serve approximately 450 new and transfer students.

This position will primarily focus on the planning and implementation of first-year transition and community building initiatives related to Southwestern’s summer orientation programs, including Sprog, Pirate Adventures, and Welcome Week. This is a full-time, non-benefited, non-exempt position who reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Life.

About the Institution:

Southwestern University is a private liberal arts institution located in Georgetown, Texas, just 30 minutes north of Austin, Texas. Southwestern is the oldest college in Texas and offers 40 bachelor's degrees in the arts, sciences, fine arts, and music as well as interdisciplinary and pre-professional programs. Southwestern University offers a top-ranked integrated arts and sciences curriculum that incorporates the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. As a residential campus, more than 75% of our students live on campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Sprog is Southwestern’s summer orientation program (June 16-17, June 20-21, and June 22-23). All new and transfer students are required to attend this 2-day program, which includes an on-campus overnight experience. Position responsibilities include:

• Communicate with deposited students prior to their arrival to campus
• Participate in the training and supervision of Sprog Orientation Leaders
• Coordinate event logistics for evening social and community building programs
• Coordinate staff volunteer sign-ups and training for Sprog
• Work with orientation leaders to plan and organize small group activities for their Sprog cohorts
• Work closely with the offices of Student Life, Admissions, Advising and Retention, and Parent Relations on all aspects of planning and preparation for Sprog
• Serve as an on-site resource and first-responder in residence halls during overnight programs.
• Oversee the orientation leader sub-committees, including social media engagement, community building, and official OL meetings.
• Serve as the primary advisor for orientation leader-led virtual programs, occurring post-Sprog and pre-Welcome Week.

Pirate Adventures are one or two day optional off-campus trips that students can attend immediately prior to Welcome Week (August 17 and/or 18). Position responsibilities include:

• Oversee the registration process
• Develop and implement a pre-trip facilitation guide for trip leaders
• Lead communication efforts to both registered students and trip leaders, which will include essential information for the trips (what to pack, contact information, itineraries, etc.)

General Responsibilities:

• Serve as a role model and mentor to student staff and incoming students
• Serve on the on-call rotation with other live-on professionals
• Conduct research on best practices in orientation programs, assessment methods, and make recommendations for future summer programs
• Collaborate with the coordinator of Mosaic on the implementation of new First-Year experience programs, including the introduction of a co-curricular transcript

Position Requirements:

• Must be a current graduate student and enrolled in a graduate program in College Student Personnel or Higher Education Administration, or closely related field.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills
• Friendly and professional
• Ability to function autonomously and in a team environment
• Possess a commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrated effectiveness in interacting with students, staff, and families of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
• Experience with event planning is a plus

Conditions of employment:

• May 31 - August 21, 2023; Dates are negotiable, but must be on-campus June 12-24, 2023
• 40 hours per week (including occasional weekends and evenings during orientation programs)

Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia.  For information concerning the University, visit our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.

To apply:  The University will only accept application materials through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/124843.  Interested persons must submit a letter of interest, resume, the name and contact information of three professional references, and salary expectation.  Email and paper applications will not be accepted.  Only completed applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee.  The Committee will review all completed applications until the position is filled.  All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University’s Background Check Policy process.  EOE/M/F