Position Summary: Gannon University seeks to transform lives by creating environments for extraordinary moments and everyday connections that inspire others to become their best selves. The Center for Social Concerns (CSC) animates the University Mission and primary aim of 'transforming lives and fostering transformation' through high impact engagement initiatives and local and global community partnerships that help our students become socially responsible global citizens. The Assistant Director of the CSC joins a dynamic team seeking to engage and accompany students as they discover and explore their values, passions, and purpose, and as they engage the world around them through service and cultural exploration. The Assistant Director will nurture community partnerships, and student and employee engagement through the planning, implementation, and assessment of the CSC's Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) Program. This role will include community partner/trip research, trip development and planning, program advising, fundraising, budget management, and general execution of the ABST Program in collaboration with the CSC Director and team. The Assistant Director will assist with comprehensive ABST student leader and employee accompanier training, provide leadership and support in the development and execution of student participant, student leader, and accompanier experiences, and cultivate and support local and global partnerships through the ABST program. The Assistant Director will support other CSC events and programs including community engagement and advocacy and awareness initiatives, and will contribute to advancing University initiatives and goals in this role. Supporting the holistic development of students will be central to all dimensions of this work, including accompanying students on their personal exploration of values and worldview. Essential Functions: 1. Enhances Gannon's signature Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) program in partnership with the CSC Director and team through the training and development of student leaders, building of mutually-beneficial relationships with local and global community partners, and aligning the program with best practices and institutional goals for community impact. The Assistant Director will: a. Cultivate and support mutually-beneficial partnerships locally and globally; b. Assist in managing program budget and trip financials, including trip budgets, student payments, and fundraising; c. Assist in administration of the ABST scholarship program; d. Assist in development and oversight of the student participant, student leader, and accompanier experience from recruitment to the post-trip experience; e. Oversee execution of ABST experiences; f. Enhance the ABST program through execution of the above areas and by aligning the program with best practices and institutional goals for community impact; g. Develop, manage, and execute the ABST accompanier and student leader experiences in collaboration with the CSC Director including: management of employee and student leader recruitment, application, and trip placement process; development and execution of comprehensive student leader and accompanier orientation and training program; and provide regular advising and development for leaders and accompaniers, monitor performance, and assist in conflict mediation as needed. 2. Collaborates with the CSC team to deepen the student participant experience within the ABST program through development, execution, and/or assessment of areas including, but not limited to; program curriculum, training of employee accompaniers/facilitators, trip planning and logistics management, and fundraising. 3. Assist the Director and CSC team in the development, implementation, and leadership of other office programs and initiatives including community engagement and advocacy and awareness programming. 4. Support and develop CSC student interns during the academic year and summer in collaboration with the Center's other professional staff. 5. Develop and execute comprehensive ABST program review and assessment in order to support program improvement and growth. Support office-wide program and student learning outcome development and assessment planning. Ensure outcomes and goals align with office, divisional, and University strategic goals and Gannon's Mission. 6. Develop and maintain updated ABST program print and digital marketing/media, and collaborate and provide support for routine updating of CSC websites, social media, and other web platforms. 7. Serve as a main point of contactfor campus partners, external vendors, and community partners related to the ABST program, and at times (for example, when the Director is absent) serve as a main point of contact for the CSC office. Collaborate with and serve as a representative for the CSC to key University offices and areas including the Student Experience division, Campus Ministry, University Advancement, and academic departments and administrative/support units in both Erie and Ruskin. 8. Participate in on-call support of ABST experiences and respond to emergency situations as needed. 9. Provide support and leadership for global learning and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the CSC, Mission Immersion, and across the University that help students grow in faith, leadership, inclusiveness, and social responsibility. Develop 'socially responsible global citizens,' by drawing upon foundational and/or theoretical resources of any of the following: international education, student development, leadership development, community engagement, interfaith formation, Catholic Social Teaching, and Catholic higher education. 10. Collaborate with and support other student development programs, university initiatives (i.e., supporting orientation/transition/retention programming), and projects as assigned, in particular supporting the work of the Mission Immersion team and related offices/areas including Campus Ministry and external relations. Serve on University committees, working groups, and/or taskforces as appropriate. 11. Demonstrate competence around administrative functions for program and office responsibilities, including mastery of various University technology platforms and scheduling appropriate facilities and services for program needs. 12. Perform other duties as assigned within the scope, responsibilities, and requirements of the job.
Experience: Required experience includes working with university/college student development or international education programs, civic or community engagement programs/organizations, and/or working with student groups in a college or university setting. Must be able to demonstrate cultural competence, the ability to develop curriculum and facilitate training programs for employees and students, and excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse constituents including students, faculty, administrators, staff and community partners. Skills: Must have the following: excellent interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and strong facilitation and public speaking skills. LicensesandCertifications: A current valid driver's license and must be able to meet university requirements for university-approved drivers. Per Gannon's Institutional Policy Manual there can be no suspensions on the Motor Vehicle Record for 5 years prior to being hired. UniversityMission: Must be able to support and promote the University's Mission.
Preferred Qualifications: Education: Master's degree is preferred.
Experience: Three years of experience in a higher education, student development, or community engagement setting is preferred. Experience traveling within the United States and globally is preferred.
Skills: Preference will be given to candidates with the following skills: assessment and budget management experience, ability to mentor and advise student leaders and interns, ability to market programs and relate to the public, competence around traditional and emergent higher education technology, excellent customer service skills, and evidence of having built collaborative partnerships in a dynamic environment.
Location: Erie, Pa Employment Status: Full Time Department: Center for Social Concerns Division: Provost & Student Experience (AA) Subdivision: Mission Immersion
Founded in 1925, Gannon University is a four-year Catholic university committed to student-centered learning, with an emphasis on professional education integrated with faith-based, liberal-learning student outcomes.
Gannon has strategic university-wide initiatives that focus on and bring its purpose to life: Transform lives by creating environments for extraordinary moments and everyday connections that inspire others to become their best selves. These initiatives have fostered an inclusive, welcoming community that many refer to as the Gannon family.
Gannon University earned its first-ever Honor Roll status as a 2021 Great College to Work For, according to a new survey by The Great Colleges to Work For® program. It is one of 42 institutions across the country to earn Honor Roll distinction and was recognized in categories including Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging; Faculty Experience; Mission & Pride; and Professional Development. Gannon University was also ranked a top school in the nation by Wall Street Journal’s 2022 College Rankings, and ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2022.”
Gannon University’s hom...e campus is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the state’s fourth-largest city and one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes. Gannon University’s unique location in downtown Erie and exceptional learning environments on campus create a special atmosphere conducive to education, scholarship, research, service, and personal growth.
Located right next door to Gannon's downtown campus are government agencies, hospitals, and local organizations and businesses that are active partners in helping Gannon students receive a hands-on education. The University's partnerships with downtown Erie neighborhoods, Erie County, and the Diocese of Erie strive to support the local community through numerous initiatives driven by students and employees.
Just steps away from Gannon’s campus in the heart of the city, you will also find restaurants, tax-free shopping, minor league sports, as well as a vibrant entertainment and cultural scene, and seven miles of Lake Erie beaches close by. Only a two-hour drive from Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Niagara Falls, Canada, Erie has small-town friendliness and big-city attractions. For more information, please visit gannon.edu to learn more about Gannon’s campuses and the many attractions and accommodations within the surrounding regions.
Gannon University seeks excellence through inclusiveness and invites women and members of underrepresented groups to apply. Application Procedure: Submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of three professional references to https://gannon.peopleadmin.com/postings/6304. Review of applications will begin immediately, and this position will remain open until filled. For more information about Gannon visit www.gannon.edu. Gannon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.