The Assistant Director for Civic Engagement is a full-time, 12 month Student Life professional within the Davidson College Center for Civic Engagement reporting to the Director of Civic Engagement & Bonner Scholars.

The Assistant Director serves as the central staff member in the Lula Bell’s Resource Center which includes coordinating stock (food, clothing, textbooks, etc.), tracking of usage of resources, creating and maintaining publicity, assessment, informational and policy materials, as well as planning and implementing robust life skills programs each month. They advise a student leadership team, in addition to supervising student employees and volunteers to manage the space during open hours. The Assistant Director directs the summer pre-orientation Service Odyssey program and advises student organizations that work with community organizations.  As a member of the Center for Civic Engagement team, the Assistant Director  also supports, as needed, programs and events within the Center for Civic Engagement, such as the annual Community Innovation Institute and the Bonner Scholars Program.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operational Oversight for the Lula Bell Houston Resource Center

  • Manage Lula Bell’s physical space (access, furnishings, etc.).

  • Coordinate collection and orders of items (e.g., food, books, clothes) and display of those items. This may be done in partnership with the College Bookstore, Davidson College Farm as well as other departments and/or student organizations (e.g., SGA).

  • Create and maintain a tracking system for resource utilization.

  • Develop and implement ongoing assessment efforts including bi-annual student needs assessment.

  • Train and supervise student staff and volunteers to create a safe, clean and fun environment by following all policies and guidelines.

  • Manage endowment and donor funds supporting the operation of the Center and its programming. 

• Programming & Event Coordination  

  • Lula Bell’s

    • Develop a programming calendar that incorporates a variety of life skills and social justice events (typically one of each every month).

    • Contact potential speakers/facilitators and coordinate event details (contracts, payments, travel, etc.). 

    • Collaborate with other campus departments on joint programming (e.g., All in for Davidson).

  • Service Odyssey

    • Recruit, hire and train student trip leaders, including organization of any required certifications (e.g., driving, first aid).

    • Coordinate housing, including contracts, insurance and payment.

    • Manage participant registration process (recruitment, forms/waivers and assessment).

    • Support and advise trip leaders on logistics (e.g., meals), service projects, and reflection activities.

    • Submit budget request and track expenses.

• Communication

  • Communicate regularly with donors and colleagues in College Relations.

  • Maintain consistent messaging and publicity for Lula Bell’s that appeals to various audiences (students, employees, alumni and donors).

  • Manage WildcatSync portal and social media account(s) to promote Lula Bell’s as an active and vibrant space while also promoting relevant campus/community events (including giveaways, free food, etc.).  

  • Update usage stats and needs lists to share in reports.

  • Develop, distribute and analyze surveys to continue to strengthen operations and adjust to changing needs.

• Student Leader Advising / Leadership Development

  • Supervise student employees and volunteers in Lula Bell’s, including providing ongoing training and teambuilding opportunities.

  • In conjunction with other staff in the Center, advise service-based student organizations within the Civic Engagement Council (CEC).

Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in higher education, nonprofit management, student affairs or related field is required.  

• A minimum of 2 years related professional experience working with students in the area of community engagement.

• Ability to work independently.

• Experience with program development and assessment.  

• Strong communication skills.  

• Appreciation for the role that liberal arts institutions play within the community.  

• Familiarity with webtools and social media.

Application Process:

Apply online at http://employment.davidson.edu and attach a cover letter and resume. Application review begins June 6. Position is open until filled.

Davidson College is a highly selective, independent liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina that has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country.  Faculty of Davidson College enjoy a low student-faculty ratio, emphasis on and appreciation of excellence in teaching, and a collegial, respectful atmosphere that honors academic achievement and integrity. Davidson is strongly committed to achieving excellence and cultural diversity, and welcome applications from women, members of minority groups, and others who would bring additional dimensions to the college’s mission. 

At Davidson College, we believe the college grows stronger by recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff committed to building an inclusive community.  In order to achieve and sustain educational excellence, we seek to hire talented faculty and staff across the intersections of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, political perspectives, abilities, cultures, and national origins.