Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement - Civic Engagement - University Center

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Position Title:

Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement - Civic Engagement - University Center

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Student Affairs Program Specialist

Job Duties:

Attention:

The University Center in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement (Student Affairs Program Specialist, AE192).

Job Details:

The Student Engagement Program Specialist – Student Government and Civic Engagement serves as the primary professional resource for Whitewater Student Government (WSG), student leadership within governance, and civic engagement initiatives for the Student Engagement unit. The position empowers student leaders through advising, coaching, education, and subject matter expertise related to student governance, leadership development, civic participation, advocacy, freedom of expression, civil discourse, and effective organizational leadership.

The program specialist provides professional advising and operational support to Whitewater Student Government, helping student leaders navigate university policies, governance processes, communications, programming, and campus partnerships while fostering meaningful student voice and participation. The position maintains a collaborative connection with the UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support communication, coordination, and opportunities for shared leadership and civic engagement across both campus locations. The position also coordinates Warhawks Vote, the university’s nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement initiative, and develops educational programs, training, curriculum, and resources that promote civic learning, participation, critical inquiry, and engagement across diverse perspectives.

The specialist coordinates/assists with program logistics, communications, assessment, partnerships, and continuous improvement for Whitewater Student Government and related civic engagement initiatives. Working collaboratively with campus partners, the position serves as a resource and connector for student leadership and civic engagement efforts while reducing barriers to participation and strengthening opportunities for students to develop leadership, advocacy, governance, and civic skills. Through advising, relationship building, and intentional educational experiences, the position supports an environment where students are prepared to lead, participate meaningfully in university governance, and contribute to a vibrant campus community.

Reports to the Executive Director of Student Engagement and works collaboratively with Student Engagement leadership and campus partners to advance student governance and civic engagement initiatives. Work hours will vary based on program, governance, and campus engagement needs and will include occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Essential Responsibilities:

Governance

• •Serves as the primary professional advisor to Whitewater Student Government and its elected and appointed student leaders.
• •Provides subject matter expertise regarding student engagement, leadership, governance, civic engagement, and student development to students, campus partners, and internal and external stakeholders.
• •Advises students on organizational structure, bylaws, elections, parliamentary procedures, policies, advocacy, resolutions, and institutional decision-making.
• •Supports student agency, leadership transitions, organizational effectiveness, and meaningful student participation in university governance.
• •Coaches students in leadership, communication, advocacy, collaboration, ethical decision-making, conflict management, and problem-solving.
• •Supports the planning, implementation, and administration of Whitewater Student Government elections and leadership transition processes in accordance with university policies and WSG governing documents.
• •Assists with developing onboarding and ongoing training related to governance processes, leadership responsibilities, parliamentary procedure, university policies, and effective representation.
• •Serves as a liaison between Whitewater Student Government and university offices regarding policies, procedures, initiatives, and issues affecting student governance and student life.
• •Maintains communication and collaborative relationships with UW–Whitewater Rock County Student Government Association (SGA) to support coordination, information sharing, student leadership development, and opportunities for cross-campus civic engagement.

Civic Engagement

• •Serves as the professional lead for Warhawks Vote, coordinating university-wide nonpartisan voter education, voter registration, and civic engagement initiatives.
• •Develops and implements educational programs and resources addressing civic participation, democratic processes, public policy, voting, community engagement, and public service.
• •Coordinates voter education campaigns, outreach, forums, and partnerships with campus and community organizations.
• •Advises students in developing informed, ethical, evidence-based approaches to advocacy and civic participation.
• •Creates opportunities for students to engage with public officials, policymakers, community leaders, civic organizations, and other stakeholders.
• •Develops and coordinates communications, outreach, and promotional strategies to increase awareness and participation in student governance and civic engagement initiatives.
• •Evaluates Warhawks Vote and other civic engagement initiatives to measure participation, learning, reach, and impact.

Freedom of Expression & Civil Discourse

• •Develops educational opportunities addressing freedom of expression, free inquiry, viewpoint diversity, civil discourse, peaceful assembly, and principled dissent.
• •Advises student leaders in navigating complex and controversial issues while maintaining appropriate professional neutrality and supporting informed discussion and advocacy.
• •Facilitates forums, dialogues, panels, debates, and other opportunities for students to engage constructively with differing perspectives.
• •Helps students develop skills in active listening, perspective-taking, critical inquiry, respectful disagreement, and collaborative problem-solving.
• •Helps students understand the relationship between freedom of expression, civic responsibility, inclusion, institutional policies, and the rights and responsibilities of members of a university community.
• •Provides consultation and support to student leaders navigating organizational conflict, challenging governance issues, and sensitive matters, while referring conduct, legal, safety, or other specialized concerns to appropriate university resources.
• •Refers specialized legal, policy, or conduct questions to appropriate university offices.

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns

Organizes student-focused programming and resources to promote new and ongoing educational initiatives

Serves as a subject matter expert regarding student affairs to internal and external stakeholders

Gene