Career Center

Position Summary

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success.  West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Division of University Advancement and External Affairs invites applicants for the position of Associate Director for the Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI).

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

WCU serves approximately 17,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, 23% identify as Hispanic/Latino, Black, Asian, and Native American Indian nations, and 24% are Pell grant eligible. The University has more than 180 international students from 40-plus countries. With approximately 30% designated as the first in their family to complete a bachelor's degree, WCU is among the first to earn "First Forward Designation" by NASPA and The Suder Foundation. WCU is committed to leadership in extending equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and veteran status.

The West Chester University Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI) promotes community-based learning experiences that address issues of public concern by building mutually beneficial partnerships with a wide array of non-profit and governmental agencies, faculty, staff, and students.  Meeting community needs while placing students on a lifelong path of active citizenship is integral to our mission. The Carnegie Foundation (2010-2026) for Community Engagement recognized WCU for public service coursework and co-curricular programs. Preparing students to be global citizens is a critical component of our mission and goals.  
 
Under the supervision of the Director of CCESI, the Associate Director promotes academic service-learning and manages community partnerships; acts as a member of the WCU Resource Pantry oversight team; and plays a key role in efforts to address student basic needs insecurity. This position is a highly confidential assignment requiring the utmost respect and privacy.
 
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an understanding of theories and best practices of academic service-learning; experience engaging faculty and supporting service-learning classes and programs; experience working in a diverse, multicultural campus environment; experience working with a resource pantry; the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, and community-based organizations; and the ability to travel in the Chester County area.

Responsibilities include:  

• Develop evidence-based proposals for integrating high-quality civic engagement into curricular programs 
• Generate and provide resources, lead workshops, and routinely consult with academic departments to promote best practices in service-learning and community-based research
• Collaborate with the Service-Learning Faculty Associate on academic department outreach, research, assessment, and presentations, including new faculty orientation 
• Co-Chair and convene the Service-Learning Faculty Workgroup
• Promote and advance the annual priorities of the Service-Learning Faculty Workgroup 
• Manage the Ram Corps Community Engagement Scholars program for service-learning teaching assistants
• Curate and disseminate the monthly Faculty Service-Learning Newsletter  
• Generate and maintain updated directories 
• Lead and support efforts to assess the institutional, student, and community impacts of service-learning 
• Support faculty with the promotion and recruitment of students for service-learning courses  
• Lead efforts to promote and expand the Community Engagement Pathways Certificate 
• Coordinate the CCESI involvement in the First Year Experience (FYE) sections 
• Develop and implement opportunities for faculty service-learning and community-based research
• Communicate with community partners to assess in-demand needs, opportunities, and partnership feedback
• Vet, categorize and track community partner organizations and engagement 
• Develop and execute community partner agreements and/or memorandums of understanding 
• Meet regularly with internship, service-learning, and field placement coordinators
• Provide training and development for community partners and community engagement teaching assistants 
• Lead and coordinate one volunteer fair per semester 
• Collaborate with Director to provide strategic leadership of Pantry and basic need insecurity services
• Engage partners to ensure that the Resource Pantry is adequately stocked with in-demand resources  
• Complete mandatory reports and the Member Agency Agreement with federal and state regulations
• Identify additional resources to address student basic need insecurity  
• Co-Chair the Pantry Advisory Council 
• Collect and analyze data related to the Resource Pantry’s functions
• Manage the CCESI website and public calendar  
• Provide oversight and strategic leadership of the university’s voter education and engagement efforts
• Represent CCESI on university and community-based committees as assigned 
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Three (3) years of professional Higher Education experience
• Experience managing program budgets
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience (professional or volunteer) addressing basic need insecurities such as food or housing insecurity
• Demonstrated understanding of theories and best practices of academic service-learning
• Experience engaging faculty and supporting service-learning classes and programs
• Demonstrated experience with working with local nonprofit organizations and/or volunteer programs
• Valid driver’s license

Special Instructions

Ask about opportunities to work from home and alternate work schedules.

Candidates should apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa. Application allows for resume and cover letter (Both required for consideration). References with contact information will be required prior to interview.  

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist.
  
Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU’s educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
 
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

About West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania is among the top regional comprehensive public universities in the nation, serving more than 17,500 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a national reputation for excellence, value, and student success. Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester offers more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the Philadelphia campus, and online. Five colleges and two schools comprise the University: Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the School of Music, and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Located in Chester County (25 miles from downtown Philadelphia) the area combines the best of enjoyable daily living with easy access to the full spectrum of country and city attractions. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

Connections working at West Chester University of Pennsylvania