Student Life - Director of Student Involvement

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

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To apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions. 

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs strives to engage students in opportunities across campus that encourage growth and a connection with others. Committed to providing a positive and inclusive environment that is responsive to the needs of students, the office provides intentional spaces for students to develop as leaders and individuals in true Pioneer character, heart and spirit. With the overall goal to increase student retention, the Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs will coordinate comprehensive year-long programs designed to provide leadership opportunities as well as the transitional programs that will enhance the students’ college experience. The Director will need to partner and collaborate with a variety of departments on campus to coordinate events.

The Director of Student Involvement provides strategic leadership for campus engagement initiatives that foster student involvement, leadership development, belonging, and school spirit. The Director is responsible for the vision, planning, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of campus traditions, leadership programs, and student-led programming while cultivating collaborative partnerships that enhance the student experience.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and assess engaging, innovative, and inclusive monthly campus events, programs, and initiatives that enhance student engagement, belonging, and campus life for undergraduate students.
• Direct the Student Events Team (SET), providing strategic leadership for recruitment, training, supervision, leadership development, and program planning while overseeing the successful execution of approximately 50 student-led programs and events each semester.
• Lead the planning and execution of the President's Gala, providing oversight of event logistics, vendor management, production, budget administration, marketing, student involvement, and cross-campus collaboration.
• Provide strategic oversight of the student organization requests in the University’s space scheduling system, Pioneer Planner, to assess active status and overall event risk.
• Develop and implement comprehensive leadership training and educational opportunities for students within the Student Events Team and Graphic Designers. 
• Assist in the campus traditions and signature programs, including Carnival, Spring Fest, concerts, Involvement Fairs, Campus Life Leadership Awards, Orientations, Family Weekend programming, and other university-wide engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop innovative engagement opportunities that enhance the student experience and contribute to student retention and sense of belonging.
• Assist in facilitation of Senior Week event planning and promotion including staffing.
• Serve as advisor to a Student Government Class Board(s).

Operations 

• Responsible for event logistics including set up, marketing and staffing.
• Establish and maintain ongoing assessment and evaluation of the quality of campus involvement.
• Assist with recruitment activities including Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, and Divisional meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Master’s Degree required.
• Experience with large-scale event planning and execution. 
• Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of student development theory, leadership, and inclusive programming. 

Unusual Working Conditions

The position requires evening and weekend hours, as well as occasional holiday work as determined by the supervisor.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.