Pennsylvania State University
College of IST | Student Engagement Specialist, Chaiken Center for Student Success
🇺🇸 Hybrid - University Park, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $42K - $61K
💻 Project Management
🗓️ October 17th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Student Engagement Specialist for the College of IST Chaiken Center for Student Success. The role involves helping students set and achieve academic and co-curricular goals, developing and managing student programs and events, supporting student organizations, and collaborating with internal departments to enhance the student experience. The specialist will lead sustainability-focused educational initiatives, oversee event logistics and budget, and use data to improve student engagement.
Highlights
- Lead creation of sustainability-focused co-curricular educational experiences.
- Provide guidance to campus clubs and student organizations for registration and development.
- Develop, implement, plan, and assess college community programs and services.
- Manage event contracts, budget allocations, and coordinate event logistics including room reservations and vendor policies.
- Manage communications related to student activities internally and externally.
- Assess educational programs to evaluate student learning outcomes and identify gaps.
- Support service opportunities and partnerships collaborating with campus departments.
- Collaborate with marketing team for event promotion and advertising.
- Supervise staff including hiring, development, and performance management.
- Advise the IST Undergraduate Student Council and participate in the IST Diplomat Leadership Program with other specialists.
- Use data and analytics to guide programming decisions.
- Bachelor's degree required plus 1+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
- No certifications required.
- Salary range between $42,100 and $61,000.
- Full-time employment with competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.
- Employment requires successful background check and authorization to work in the U.S.
College of IST | Student Engagement Specialist, Chaiken Center for Student Success Full Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Student Engagement Specialist helps students develop and achieve realistic goals for the academic year and assists them in achieving balance between academic and co-curricular activities, as well as promote their academic, personal, and professional development; work with internal and external partners to create programs, resources, tools, and events that provide meaningful engagements at all institutional levels; supports student learning and provides high quality out-of-class experiences for students through student activities, leadership development, community service, multicultural programs, and trips.
This position will work collaboratively with the offices in the College of IST Chaiken Center for Student Success to ensure a comprehensive and successful student experience. The successful candidate must possess a strong understanding of student development, engage in meaningful dialogues, think critically to resolve conflict and solve problems, communicate effectively, and organize and manage multiple priorities.
- Lead and facilitate the creation of robust co-curricular sustainability-focused educational experiences for students
- Provide guidance and support to clubs and organizations on campus to become registered student organizations
- Develop, implement, plan, and assess programs and services for the college community
- Develop strategies to foster college and community involvement for students.
- Manage and coordinate all event contracts and budget allocation
- Responsible for managing, developing, and disseminating internal and external communications about activities
- Assess educational programs to evaluate student learning, changes in behavior, and identify gaps in educational needs
- Provide support for service opportunities and partnerships that are collaborations with campus departments and units
- Collaborate with marketing team to create and develop the promotion and advertising of events on campus
- Coordinate event planning to ensure room reservations, setup details, and campus policy regarding vendors is complete
- May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management
- Represent the unit in on and off campus committees, forums, and other opportunities as appropriate.
- Interpret University policies for students and student organizations.
- Advise the IST Undergraduate Student Council
- Work with the Student Success Supervisor and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Specialist on IST Diplomat Leadership Program
- Use data and analytics to make decisions on student programming
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
acceptedRequired Certifications:None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITSThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $42,100.00 - $61,000.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
Similar Jobs
Project Manager
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
🇺🇸 Hybrid - NC
Executive Program Director, STEM
Macmillan Learning
🇺🇸 Remote - Austin, TX
Director, Workforce Learning
Macmillan Learning
🇺🇸 Remote - US
Associate Director of Recruiting, Graduate Programs
Purdue University
🇺🇸 West Lafayette, IN
Technical Project Manager
Cambium Assessment
🇺🇸 Remote - US
