National War College Alumni Association

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: 67,000 - 80,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Student Engagement & Transition, the Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Veteran Initiatives has primary responsibility for managing a comprehensive, coordinated approach to student engagement for communities within the School of General Studies with a focus on the student veteran population. Initiatives in the Assistant Director???s portfolio include utilizing best practices in holistic student engagement to plan and implement programs that robustly connect students to academic advising, learning enhancement, community engagement, student life and career development to support success, persistence and graduation.

Responsibilities

Student Veteran Engagement:

Develops and implements initiatives that foster community within the veteran population and across diverse non-veteran groups; additionally, promotes inclusion and engagement across University life.

Works closely with the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration (CVTI) to continue to develop a best-in-class student experience for student veterans. Works closely with CVTI to infuse GS student veterans into the Center space and programming.

Leads event planning for all GS student veteran events, including but not limited to the Veteran New Student Orientation Program, Veterans Day Parade, Veterans Appreciation Lunch, Military Ball, and more

Manages the Veteran Mentor Program to support incoming veteran student transition and acclimation, including recruitment and comprehensive training of Veteran Mentors, matching Mentors with Mentees, hosting regular community building events for the Veteran Mentor Program, and program assessment.

Oversees the planning and implementation of events and projects for student veterans including but not limited to Women Veteran Support Programming.

Liaises with offices both at General Studies, CVTI, and other university offices to ensure holistic access to programs and services; additionally, liaises with campus administration, faculty and staff on opportunities relevant to veteran support.

Works with outside organizations and stakeholders to partner with General Studies with a special emphasis on veterans??? organizations, professional/career opportunities and development programs.

Wellness and Crisis Response:

Participates in an on-call, after hours rotating schedule with the Wellness Deans at GS to manage response to a variety of student issues including mental health. Manages student outreach, resource referral, and follow up in close collaboration with the GS Dean of Students Office, Columbia Public Safety, Columbia Residential, Columbia Health and other campus partners with a focus on student veterans.

Collaborates and provides support to the GS Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Wellbeing as well as the students of concern/wellbeing working group for cases involving student veterans; including assistance in crisis and emergency situations.

Student Organization Advising:

Serves as formal advisor to the Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets). Advises members of MilVets regarding campus resources, University policies, and relations with University officials and peers in student organizations across campus - including connections and collaborations with the Dean of the School of General Studies, Vice Dean, and Dean of Students.  Manages the contracting and event planning process for MilVets events in alignment with GS and University event planning policy and procedure. Supports training and leadership development efforts for all E-Board officers of the MilVets including the planning, coordination, and execution of the MilVets Executive Board retreats and regular meetings with Board Members.

Serves as student group advisor student organizations and groups including but not limited to the MedVets (Premedical/Prehealth Veterans Student Group), Columbia University Military Veterans in the Arts (CUMVITA), Lady MilVets, Columbia University Family Support Network (CUFSN) and other student organizations. Meets with the Executive Board members to advise in the areas of university policy, budgeting, programming, officer training, and leadership development. Have an in-depth understanding of University as well as GS policies and procedures regarding event planning, purchasing, and finance.

Advise the Postbac Premed Student Council (PPSC) student government and ten+ auxiliary student groups recognized under the PPSC.

Student Engagement:

Serves as lead from the Student Life Office on providing student engagement and community development opportunities to the GS Postbac Premed, International, and Dual BA and Joint Program student special populations. Creates new and innovative student engagement opportunities to provide community development, connection to resources, and support for these special student populations in strong collaboration with members of the Dean of Students Office and across the School of General Studies.

Supports the planning and implementation of four school, undergraduate wide, community building programs during New Student Orientation in the fall and spring semesters. Collaborates with staff members in Barnard College, Columbia College, and Columbia Engineering. Supervises the GS NSOP Student Chair.

Supports GS Student Life Events, Initiatives, and Projects throughout the year.

Conducts program assessment and evaluation.

Partners closely General Studies academic support services and, as needed, assists in fostering programs tailored for veteran learning initiatives.

Serves as a panelist on Dean???s Disciplinary hearings as needed with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

This position requires night and weekend availability for program and event staffing.

Performs other tasks and projects as required. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor???s degree or equivalent required; advanced degree preferred.  Minimum of 4 years of related experience in teaching and/or managing programs or initiatives for diverse student communities, preferably veteran students.  Familiarity with issues facing veterans in higher education, especially within an undergraduate liberal arts setting, is highly desirable.  Must be able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities and be a team player.  Must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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