Position Title:Student Success and Engagement Specialist
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Advanced degree in higher education or related
Experience in student academic services/student affairs
Previous experience with managing learning community programming
Experience with professional development, training and budgeting
Experience utilizing Workday student systems
Job Description:
The College of Engineering at Iowa State University is seeking a dedicated and collaborative Student Success and Engagement Specialist to support student retention, engagement, and achievement through the Learning Community Program. This role plays a vital part in fostering a sense of belonging and connection for engineering students, while providing academic support, co-curricular engagement opportunities, and guidance to student organizations.
Working closely with faculty, staff, and campus partners, the Student Success and Engagement Specialist will coordinate activities that promote student persistence from first year through graduation, support orientation events, and serve as an advisor for academic and student organization initiatives.
What You'll Do
Student Success and Retention Initiatives
Collaborate on the planning, implementation, and assessment of student success and retention programs for engineering students.
Support the development and delivery of initiatives that promote academic achievement, engagement, and belonging within the Learning Community Program.
Partner with faculty, advisors, and staff to identify students who may benefit from targeted outreach and support.
Orientation Support
Assist with new student orientation activities for incoming engineering students.
Provide presentations, guidance, and resources to new students and their families.
Coordinate with departmental advisors to ensure smooth academic advising and registration processes.
Academic and Student Organization Advising
Provide advising and mentorship for students in learning communities and academic success programs.
Serve as an advisor or co-advisor to engineering-related student organizations.
Support student leaders in program planning, event coordination, and organizational development.
Engagement Programming
Develop and coordinate engagement activities that strengthen connections among students, faculty, and staff.
Assist in organizing community-building events, workshops, and leadership development opportunities.
Collaborate with campus partners to connect students with co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities.
About the College of Engineering Learning Community ProgramIowa State's College of Engineering Learning Community Program is one of the largest and most successful in the nation, supporting thousands of first-year and transfer students annually. Learning communities bring together small groups of students who share academic goals or interests, connecting them with faculty, peer mentors, and co-curricular experiences that strengthen retention and success. Through linked courses, study groups, social activities, and professional development, the program fosters a strong sense of community, engagement, and academic achievement.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS806
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans- Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)- Life insurance and long-term disability- Flexible Spending Accounts- Various voluntary benefits and discounts- Employee Assistance Program- Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: August 17, 2025
Posting Close Date:August 24, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R17637
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
