Director of New Student Experiences and Belonging
Director of New Student Experiences and Belonging
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Description
DIRECTOR OF NEW STUDENT EXPERIENCES AND BELONGING
Bridgewater College invites applications for the Director of New Student Experiences and Belonging a critical leadership position dedicated to shaping a transformative journey for all incoming students. This role offers a unique opportunity to cultivate a vibrant community foster deep connections and ensure a strong sense of belonging for new students as they transition into college life.
About the Opportunity
The Director of New Student Experiences and Belonging at Bridgewater College plays a foundational role in student success overseeing all programs designed to facilitate a smooth and positive transition for new students. This position is responsible for creating a supportive environment that builds community connects students with essential campus resources and cultivates a strong sense of belonging throughout their first pivotal year. The Directors work will be at the core of ensuring every new student feels supported engaged and prepared to thrive at Bridgewater College.
The Director is charged with:
- Leading the strategic vision and assessment for key programs like summer orientations Welcome Week and the Soar Mentor program.
- Supervising the Coordinator of Campus Enrichment and Belonging guiding their work on vital programs like the Eagle Success transition program.
- Recruiting training and inspiring the student orientation leaders who are the welcoming faces of Bridgewater.
- Fostering strong partnerships with academic departments especially around the first-year and transfer student Connected Learning courses (CL 100/150) ensuring seamless academic integration.
- Championing engagement for commuter students and fostering the growth of class affinity groups.
- Managing the budgets for all new student experience programs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
While not an exhaustive list the primary responsibilities of this position include:
- Leading the strategic development and assessment of all new student transition programs ensuring they foster a positive and successful experience for all incoming students.
- Supervising the Coordinator of Campus Enrichment and Belonging.
- Providing guidance for campus belonging initiatives including Eagle Success Welcome Week coordination commuter student organizations class officers and other identity-based student organizations.
- Managing student leaders and staff for orientation overseeing recruitment training and retention.
- Integrating current best practices in peer mentoring first-year experience and transfer student transitions to continually enhance orientation and the student mentoring program.
- Maintaining strong collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff members specifically those involved in student mentoring as it relates to Connected Learning and first-year/transfer curricula.
- Managing the budgets for all new student experience programs and initiatives.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished organized and inclusive leader. For a comprehensive list of qualifications please contact Human Resources at .
Bridgewater College seeks an individual who possesses the following:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- A Masters degree in Higher Education.
- At least 3 years of experience in a higher education setting with a strong background in orientation or relevant student transition programming.
- Demonstrated program and event planning experience.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral.
- A proven ability to work successfully within diverse student and staff teams.
- The flexibility to work evenings and weekends to meet student and college needs particularly during peak times.
- The ability to develop strong boundaries with students while cultivating a meaningful mentoring relationship.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to creatively and effectively problem-solve.
- Experience working effectively within interdisciplinary teams and building collaborative relationships with colleagues across departments and within the broader community.
ENVIRONMENT AND EXPECTATIONS:
This role typically operates Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM but flexibility is essential. The Director should expect to work some evenings and weekends to support key student and College events particularly during peak times like orientation and Welcome Week. The position involves occasional medium physical work including lifting up to 50 pounds with frequent lifting or carrying of up to 20 pounds. Strong sensory abilities (far vision near vision hearing and speech) are important for effective communication and engagement.
Pay is competitive and salary is commensurate with experience. This full-time position offers a full benefits package including paid tuition at the College for eligible dependents.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Bridgewater College was founded in 1880 as a coeducational liberal arts college to serve the local community. Located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley just minutes outside of Harrisonburg and within driving distance of Charlottesville Washington D.C. and Richmond Bridgewater is home to a total student body of approximately 1450 from 27 states and 19 countries. Bridgewater students study more than 60 majors and minors in addition to four graduate programs and 10 pre-professional programs. Bridgewater College is an NCAA DIII school with approximately 40 percent of its students participating in intercollegiate athletics on 25 teams. To learn more about Bridgewater College visit: .
APPLY: Complete the online application.
DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Email
COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Bridgewater College an equal opportunity provider and employer is a welcoming and vibrant workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color national or ethnic origin sex marital status disability religion age veteran status political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.
Non-Discrimination Notice: SECURITY REPORT AND ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY REPORT: The Bridgewater College Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report summarizes policies on campus security and personal safety crime prevention fire safety and crime reporting and includes crime and fire statistics for the past three years: request a printed copy please call
E-VERIFY AND RIGHT TO WORK:
NOTICE:
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form found online at or at any USDA office or call to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture Director Office of Adjudication 1400 Independence Avenue S.W. Washington D.C. 20250-9410 by fax at or email at
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
