Director of Student Engagement, School of Medicine, Office of Medical Education

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCUs sponsored research the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education.

Position Summary:

TheDirector of Student Engagement leads the strategic development implementationand assessment of initiatives that foster student connection wellnessleadership and professional development of learners across UndergraduateMedical Education (UME) the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) andGraduate Education in the School of Medicine. This role strengthenscommunication collaboration and student support while promoting a positivelearning environment and institutional and community engagement. This positionworks in close partnership with individuals across multiple offices andunitsincluding deans faculty staff and students to ensure studentengagement activities reflect institutional values and meet the evolving needsof learners across all phases of training.

Withdemonstrated experience in coaching and the ability to triage student crisesthe Director serves as a critical point of contact for students navigatingacademic and personal challenges. They collaborate closely with faculty staffand leadership across units to ensure responsive student-centered engagementstrategies that adapt to the evolving needs of learners at all stages oftraining.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Student Engagement and Wellness (UME MSTP GraduateEducation Programs)

• Coordinate wellness and engagement events workshops and activities for UME MD-PhD and graduate students ensuring alignment with the strategic priorities and institutional mission of the School of Medicine.
• Collaborate with the MSTP and Graduate Education teams to support and promote wellness events including faculty and student programming.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for students across the UME MSTP and Graduate Education programs regarding engagement opportunities wellness and support services and leadership development.
• Cultivate a supportive learning environment through the design and delivery of intentional programming and individual meetings with learners.

2. Leadership and Professional Development

• Collaborate with UME MSTP and Graduate Education program leaders to develop and implement leadership development opportunities for medical MSTP and graduate students including orientation and training for student organization leaders.
• Support the development and implementation of professional development programming and workshops for all student populations including sessions focused on communication resilience and career readiness.

3. Student Communication and Integration

• Lead the development and implementation of a cohesive and coordinated student engagement communications strategy in partnership with the School of Medicine Communications team.
• Facilitate clear consistent communication between the Office of Medical Education Office of Graduate Education and MSTP leadership/students ensuring that MSTP students remain informed and connected during all phases of training.
• Promote and coordinate engagement activities led by Graduate Education such as check-ins with institutional leadership and student-driven events.

4. Community Engagement

• Coordinate community engagement activities for medical and graduate students fostering collaborations with internal and external partners.
• Partner with leadership in the OME to promote service learning and volunteer opportunities that contribute to professional identity formation.
• Track and promote student participation in community outreach efforts effectively connecting student interests with institutional and community needs.

5. Student Advocacy and Liaison Responsibilities

• Serve as a supportive liaison for student engagement and wellness concerns across the MD MSTP and Graduate Education programs helping students navigate available institutional resources and facilitating support as needed.
• Coordinate timely response and resolution of concerns in partnership with faculty program directors and student affairs staff.
• Strengthen communication and collaboration between the School of Medicine and university-level offices (e.g. MCV Campus Division of Student Engagement and Impact VCU Dean of Students Office) ensuring coordinated support for student-led initiatives and community engagement efforts.
• Provide individual development coaching through structured goal-oriented conversations that empower students to clarify priorities build resilience and navigate transitions during their training.
• Refer students to appropriate academic mental health or student conduct resources as needed maintaining clear boundaries from formal counseling or adjudication roles.
• Collaborate with deans program directors faculty and staff to ensure students receive holistic support through appropriate channels.

6. Program Assessment and Reporting

• Collaborate with partners from other offices and units to evaluate the effectiveness of student engagement and wellness programs using data to inform program improvements.
• Collect and analyze student feedback and engagement data to guide program development and promote continuous improvement.
• Prepare engagement and wellness reports for internal and external audiences highlighting outcomes participation metrics and data-driven recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Higher Education Counseling Student Affairs Social Work Public Health or a related field.
• At least 3-5 years of progressive experience in student affairs academic support or related roles within higher education preferably in a health sciences or professional school setting.
• Demonstrated experience in student advising coaching or mentoring particularly with graduate or professional students.
• Proven ability to triage and manage student crises with sensitivity discretion and alignment with institutional policies and procedures.
• Strong program development coordination and assessment skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading programming in higher education.
• Excellent interpersonal organizational and communication skills with a student-centered approach to program development.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects in a complex academic environment.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Skills andCompetencies:

• Knowledge of UME MSTP/MD-PhD and biomedical graduate education structures and needs.
• Experience developing community engagement or service-learning initiatives.
• Familiarity with connectedness and leadership in higher education.
• Ability to work collaboratively across institutional departments.
• Proficiency with communications tools program evaluation and student engagement platforms.
• Experience supporting personal and professional development through structured coaching and mentoring relationships ideally within a higher education context.

Position will remain open until filled.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veterans period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Brittany Usera

Required Experience:

Director