Salem Academy and College, the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country by its founding date of 1772, invites applications for Student Activities Coordinator - Academy.
About Salem Academy and College:
Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country. Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 250-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.
Salem College has more than 40 full-time faculty and over 150 staff members who support approximately 500 students including full-time undergraduates, part-time students and graduate programs. Salem recently received the largest philanthropic gift in its history with a $5M anonymous donation focused on enabling our health leadership transformation as well as a $3.6M estate gift to support the College. Salem completed its 250th-anniversary campaign this year exceeding a $12.5M goal.
U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Rankings, ranked Salem College No. 1 among all National Liberal Arts Colleges in America as a Top Performer on Social Mobility. Our institution has rapidly moved up the national ranking for Social Mobility, from No. 10 in 2020 and No. 4 in 2021 to No. 1 in 2022. Salem College is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 2 National Liberal Arts College in North Carolina. Salem has been ranked among the top three National Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina for the past seven years. In addition, Salem College was ranked 6th in the nation for college affordability last year.
Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant college town known as the “City of Arts and Innovation”. Winston-Salem is a lively academic community, home to six institutions of higher education and more than 26,000 students. Winston Salem has a collaborative and engaged academic community with strong private and public schools, excellent healthcare systems, and affordable housing. The Winston-Salem area also offers a rich variety of cultural opportunities and has a vibrant art and restaurant scene. Within a few hours of campus are mountains for skiing, camping, or hiking; rivers for whitewater rafting; and the beautiful ports and beaches of North and South Carolina.
Position Summary:
The Student Activities Coordinator & Residential Life Staff member’s role is designed to create a sense of community within the Academy student population. A main responsibility of the activities coordinator is determining and evaluating programs, events, and activities that promote student involvement within Salem Academy, within the community and between peer schools. This role encourages community by valuing, supporting, challenging and empowering students to grow and develop personally and through their relationships with others in accordance with the Salem Academy mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Student Activities Coordinator
- Plan and manage Academy student activities (including weekend outings and social activities) and related scheduling, transportation, driver coordination, and arranging chaperones;
- Collaborate with the student affairs team, School Counselor, Director of Residential Life and the Director of Curriculum & Instruction to develop student programming connected to each month’s wellness theme;
- Collaborate with the residential life staff on residential student specific activities such as Monday Night Family Dinner, Food Run, and Shopping Shuttle;
- Work with the student affairs team to plan and carry out school events (including Orientation, school traditions such as Opening Ceremony, Vespers, Recognition, Baccalaureate, and Graduation);
- Plan group retreats in consultation with grade-level advisors (such as the freshman retreat, grade-level activities, Maymester activities);
- Work with the administration in coordination with the Parent Association to recruit and vet parent volunteers for school functions;
- Communicate with the student affairs team, Director of Residential Life, and Hall/Area Coordinators on events and activities and support students’ needs and stay informed of all campus events and activities;
- Creation of the weekly slideshow outlining school activities.
- Manage the student activities budget;
- Assisting with the driving schedules for regular activities such as food run and shopping shuttle.
- Manage club needs (scheduling, elections, registration, leadership training) in collaboration with the student affairs team;
- Serve in an advisory role to students and clubs.
- Arranging for chaperones for student activities and events and chaperoning as needed
- Organize content and coordinate with Marketing/Communication lead on material for the Student Activities portion of the weekly newsletter.
- Assess the effectiveness of activities and events;
- Ensure the safety and well-being of all students in the school.
- Serve as Freshman class advisor
- Serve as co-sponsor for the Student Council.
- Serve as main contact for Salem Families and alumnae and the class ring company.
- Support and follow the intent of the rules as outlined in the Student Handbook and Academy Honor Code.
Residential Life Staff General Responsibilities
- Reside in an adult living space on-campus in the Academy residential dormitory while the campus is open and operating in-person;
- Establish in-dorm standards which guide students in social, emotional, and physical areas of their lives;
- Supervise hall prefects and students on assigned floor;
- Collaborate with prefects in planning at least one hall activity per month and one bulletin board per quarter based on the suggested theme;
- Spend time (formal and informal) with residential students to build relationships and community development;
- Assist, as needed, in providing transportation for residential students to appointments, airports, activities, church, or other locations as needed;
- Serve as role model and mentor by demonstrating personal responsibility and professionalism;
- Encourage cleanliness in the dormitory, including the lounge, kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms, and perform frequent room checks;
- Mediate conflicts between roommates and or hall residents;
- Monitor stress levels, sleep habits, homesickness and other student concerns;
- Enforce consequences that students receive in other areas of the school program.
Administrative
- Attend faculty/staff meeting as well as weekly Student Affairs Team meetings;
- Plan and facilitating hall meetings;
- Communicate regularly with the student affairs team regarding student behavior, academic or social issues, maintenance needs, or other observations or concerns.
- Participate in Front Desk supervision, on-call shifts, and late night supervision at assigned times (including evenings and weekends);
- Assist with room selection, rooming assignments, roommate changes, and selection and training of dorm leaders;
- Assist with the opening (including orientation responsibilities) and closing of the dorms at the start and end of the year and at breaks;
- Be a visible presence in all areas of the school; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree;
- Experience working with students, ideally in a residential environment, preferred;
- Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as needed;
- Commitment and desire to support institutional mission, vision, values, and strategic directions;
- Ability to build and maintain relationships fostering an environment of mutual respect, understanding, and trust;
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing;
- Strong computer skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through;
- Ability to set clear expectations and boundaries and hold students accountable;
- Willingness to obtain and maintain CPR and first aid qualification;
- High degree of discretion and confidentiality;
- Valid Driver’s License and clear driving record;
- Ability to drive at night and drive different vehicle types such as mini-vans or mini-buses and
- Willingness to train for a CDL license and drive 24-passenger bus.
- A good candidate has experience working with high school students, is highly motivated and globally aware, is patient, takes initiative, and exhibits strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Physical Functions:
While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to travel moderate distances around campus to meet and communicate with employees, students, and other campus constituents in the performance of the essential duties and responsibilities; to work at a computer for extended periods of time; receive detailed information through auditory and oral communication; to express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and to work on campus and in an office setting.
Application Process:
To apply, please send a letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position along with a resume or curriculum vitae and three professional references to kris.sorrells@salem.edu and hr@salem.edu. The letter of interest may be addressed to the “Search Committee.” The review of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing until the position is filled.
Salem Academy and College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.