Program Director for Academic Initiatives and Community Engagement
Laseagrant, Urbana, IL, United States
Program Director for Academic Initiatives and Community Engagement
University Housing - Residential Life
University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
Job Summary
Serves as a crucial link in connecting residents with opportunities, resources and experiences aimed at fostering a positive and enriching Illinois Residential Experience (IRE). Responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing strategies designed to enhance the residential experience and foster community engagement. Works collaboratively with faculty, the Office of the Provost, and Academic Affairs Colleges and Units, and University Housing staff to coordinate inclusive curricular programming. Serves as an academic information specialist within Residential Life, University Housing and Student Affairs.
Duties & Responsibilities Curriculum Design, Implementation, and Evaluation:
Oversee the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a community engagement model (residential curriculum) for individuals living in University Housing residence halls and apartments. Develop sequenced learning opportunities that promote belonging, learning, and development towards established learning goals and outcomes.
Develop, implement, and support the residential curriculum by creating facilitation guides, providing ongoing resources, and offering coaching and training for professional and student staff.
Lead evaluation and improvement efforts by coordinating annual reviews, analyzing data, and incorporating research and best practices to enhance curriculum effectiveness.
Promote and advance residential experience strategies through leadership in training, campus partnerships, departmental communications, and alignment with organizational goals.
Chair Illinois Residential Experience (IRE) committee.
Gather feedback from staff, student leaders, and residential students to continuously update and enhance the Illinois Residential Experience.
Academic Initiatives Leadership:
Develop and support initiatives that create a seamless learning environment that connects on-campus students with campus resources.
Design, implement, and evaluate learning environments in the undergraduate and graduate (upper division) residence halls.
Plan, coordinate, and implement strategies designed to foster community engagement and enhance student belonging.
Develop and implement academic initiatives in the undergraduate and graduate (upper division) residence halls, including establishing strong relationships and collaborative opportunities with faculty to further curricular learning goals and outcomes.
Inform and educate University Housing staff about Performance Rights procedure.
Maintain a professional academic resource center that provides materials for programming support and professional staff development.
Leadership Responsibilities:
Provide direction and guidance for professional and student staff on academic and community engagement initiatives.
Provide supervision for undergraduate Program Advisors.
Provide direction and support for annual and strategic planning.
Represent University Housing on departmental, division, and campus committees and work groups.
Supervisors engage in and implement University Housing’s inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives.
Assist in marketing and recruiting.
Engage in professional development opportunities.
Assume a leadership role in driving initiatives and advocacy efforts that support fairness, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for all individuals.
Administrative Responsibilities:
Develop and manage budget for implementation of academic initiative and community engagement strategies.
Participate in bi-weekly Learning Staff, monthly departmental and quarterly all housing meetings as well as regular project oriented departmental committee meetings.
Become familiar with Residential Life current policies and procedures outlined in the Residential Life crisis manual.
Collaborate regularly with other Housing units on various programs and operations.
Additional Physical Demands The position involves multitasking and effectively navigating around campus and the residence halls in a busy and unpredictable environment. Work will take place in office and residence hall environments including but not limited to student common and meeting space and various administrative offices/spaces on campus. There is no set schedule for this position and it does include occasional nights and weekends. This position is live-off.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in Higher Education. Experience working with all individuals in an inclusive manner.
Experience with curricular program design, implementation and evaluation/assessment.
Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress at the time of application may be considered. A successful candidate will have completed the Master’s degree at the time of beginning employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in Housing or Residential Life. Experience working within a Residential Curriculum environment.
Experience working with academically high-achieving students.
Experience working with individuals from different background and perspectives in serving the campus community.
Experience with supervision.
Experience working independently.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of curricular program design, implementation and evaluation/assessment.
Ability to work independently.
Strong interpersonal and organization skills.
Commitment to student learning.
Excellent communication skills.
Detail-oriented.
Creative and innovative approach to learning.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and students while working with all individuals in an inclusive manner.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis.
The expected start date is May 18, 2026.
The budgeted salary range for the position is $62,000 to $65,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by
6:00 pm (Central Time)
on
March 23, 2026.
Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. When you submit your application, please include a:
Cover letter
Resume
Three professional references including phone numbers and email addresses.
For further information about this specific position, please contact reslifejobs@illinois.edu. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
For more information regarding employment at University Housing, please visit our recruitment website atUniversity Housing Jobs | Illinois
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view your non-discrimination statement and additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID : 1035116 Job Category : Education & Student Services Apply at:
https://jobs.illinois.edu
Looking for more University of Illinois Positions? We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois' locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations. Click the links below to search for other University of Illinois positions.
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Duties & Responsibilities Curriculum Design, Implementation, and Evaluation:
Oversee the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a community engagement model (residential curriculum) for individuals living in University Housing residence halls and apartments. Develop sequenced learning opportunities that promote belonging, learning, and development towards established learning goals and outcomes.
Develop, implement, and support the residential curriculum by creating facilitation guides, providing ongoing resources, and offering coaching and training for professional and student staff.
Lead evaluation and improvement efforts by coordinating annual reviews, analyzing data, and incorporating research and best practices to enhance curriculum effectiveness.
Promote and advance residential experience strategies through leadership in training, campus partnerships, departmental communications, and alignment with organizational goals.
Chair Illinois Residential Experience (IRE) committee.
Gather feedback from staff, student leaders, and residential students to continuously update and enhance the Illinois Residential Experience.
Academic Initiatives Leadership:
Develop and support initiatives that create a seamless learning environment that connects on-campus students with campus resources.
Design, implement, and evaluate learning environments in the undergraduate and graduate (upper division) residence halls.
Plan, coordinate, and implement strategies designed to foster community engagement and enhance student belonging.
Develop and implement academic initiatives in the undergraduate and graduate (upper division) residence halls, including establishing strong relationships and collaborative opportunities with faculty to further curricular learning goals and outcomes.
Inform and educate University Housing staff about Performance Rights procedure.
Maintain a professional academic resource center that provides materials for programming support and professional staff development.
Leadership Responsibilities:
Provide direction and guidance for professional and student staff on academic and community engagement initiatives.
Provide supervision for undergraduate Program Advisors.
Provide direction and support for annual and strategic planning.
Represent University Housing on departmental, division, and campus committees and work groups.
Supervisors engage in and implement University Housing’s inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives.
Assist in marketing and recruiting.
Engage in professional development opportunities.
Assume a leadership role in driving initiatives and advocacy efforts that support fairness, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for all individuals.
Administrative Responsibilities:
Develop and manage budget for implementation of academic initiative and community engagement strategies.
Participate in bi-weekly Learning Staff, monthly departmental and quarterly all housing meetings as well as regular project oriented departmental committee meetings.
Become familiar with Residential Life current policies and procedures outlined in the Residential Life crisis manual.
Collaborate regularly with other Housing units on various programs and operations.
Additional Physical Demands The position involves multitasking and effectively navigating around campus and the residence halls in a busy and unpredictable environment. Work will take place in office and residence hall environments including but not limited to student common and meeting space and various administrative offices/spaces on campus. There is no set schedule for this position and it does include occasional nights and weekends. This position is live-off.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in Higher Education. Experience working with all individuals in an inclusive manner.
Experience with curricular program design, implementation and evaluation/assessment.
Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress at the time of application may be considered. A successful candidate will have completed the Master’s degree at the time of beginning employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in Housing or Residential Life. Experience working within a Residential Curriculum environment.
Experience working with academically high-achieving students.
Experience working with individuals from different background and perspectives in serving the campus community.
Experience with supervision.
Experience working independently.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of curricular program design, implementation and evaluation/assessment.
Ability to work independently.
Strong interpersonal and organization skills.
Commitment to student learning.
Excellent communication skills.
Detail-oriented.
Creative and innovative approach to learning.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and students while working with all individuals in an inclusive manner.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis.
The expected start date is May 18, 2026.
The budgeted salary range for the position is $62,000 to $65,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by
6:00 pm (Central Time)
on
March 23, 2026.
Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. When you submit your application, please include a:
Cover letter
Resume
Three professional references including phone numbers and email addresses.
For further information about this specific position, please contact reslifejobs@illinois.edu. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
For more information regarding employment at University Housing, please visit our recruitment website atUniversity Housing Jobs | Illinois
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view your non-discrimination statement and additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID : 1035116 Job Category : Education & Student Services Apply at:
https://jobs.illinois.edu
Looking for more University of Illinois Positions? We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois' locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations. Click the links below to search for other University of Illinois positions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr