Student Engagement Officer

Overview:
The Student Engagement Officer will increase engagement among undergraduate Science students via the development, implementation, and evaluation of a student experience framework, in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning as well as the Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Engagement. The incumbent liaises with undergraduate student advisors, student leaders, and other university staff and faculty members, to support an environment that helps Science students flourish. Advice is provided to student leaders, faculty and staff, based on research and survey results on best practices in student engagement and student development theory. The incumbent supports events and initiatives that contribute to positive student experiences, equips students with information and training, and strengthens faculty and campus partnerships to enhance student life.

The Student Engagement Officer sits at the nexus of several units internal to the Faculty of Science including Outreach, Recruitment, Advising, Communications, Advancement, as well as the departments and professional schools, coordinating multiple efforts between these partners to provide a seamless experience for undergraduate students. The incumbent also maintains strong relationships with the Student Success Office, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, Co-operative and Experiential Education, and Campus Housing to extend that seamless experience across shared initiatives, such as the Living Learning Community.

**Responsibilities**:
Develop, implement, and evaluate the student experience framework by:

- Researching best practices in student affairs and student development theory
- Integrating competencies and learning outcomes (i.e., UDLEs) into each extra/co-curricular opportunity provided or supported by the Faculty of Science
- Developing metrics and KPIs for evaluating leadership, mentorship, research, working, and volunteer opportunities as well as the student experience framework at regular intervals and with stakeholder input
- Exploring the use of co-curricular records for tracking and verifying student participation in extra/co-curricular activities
- Exploring new and innovative ways of recognizing student engagement, communicating available opportunities, and adding value to the student experience beyond the classroom

Engaging, promoting, and liaising with student groups in Science:

- Provides coaching and mentorship to Science Society executive team, departmental clubs, and the Faculty of Science Foundation (FSF) board of directors
- Regularly meets with Science Society executives to exchange updates on Faculty and Society initiatives, communications, and to create new opportunities that support the broader student body
- Acts as staff liaison to the Faculty of Science Foundation (FSF) by maintaining records, website and form data, and taking meeting minutes
- Chairs the graduating student committee to organize and implement related activities, including valedictorian selection, graduating student send-off, grad photos, and graduating student newsletter
- Liaises with other student groups in Science and orients student leaders to campus partners, e.g., SSO, campus bookings for events

Coordinating engagement and recognition activities:

- Supports initiatives of the Associate Dean for Faculty and Student Engagement, Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning, and Director of Strategic Initiatives and Integrated Planning to coordinate the scope and goals of student engagement and recognition activities
- Coordinates events including Big Bang, IDEA Series, the Student Awards Celebration, and Graduating Student Send-Off, as well as occasional one-off events such as the Solar Eclipse Viewing trip, including organizing visits by international experts
- Coordinates initiatives including the Science Living Learning Community with Campus Housing, LEAD Scholar program, co-curricular record keeping, valedictorian selection
- Engages with the Faculty Events Manager, Student Awards and Financial Aid, Science Alumni Engagement Officer, Science Society executives, and other campus partners to organize and execute these activities
- Maintain agreements with external vendors (e.g., NewSchool Photography for grad photos and event support)

Collaborates, advises, and consults regarding Science student experience:

- Participates in, and provides standing reports to, the Science Advising and Student Support Forum
- Contributes to the Science Strategic Engagement Team (SSET) by providing relevant updates on current student experience
- Manages SciSpace and Faculty of Science ‘Current Undergraduate Students’ web pages
- Collaborates with Science Communications team on information sharing, current students’ interests, and posts for various social media
- Reviews funding requests from students for conferences and new initiatives
- Promotes awards and scholarship opportunities to Science students
- Supports Student Transiti