Inside Higher Ed
Student Program Specialist Sr
Working Title
Senior Specialist for Leadership & Service
Requisition Number
RE52564
Department
1B430: Student Organizations and Activities
Location
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
45
Salary Range
$47,278-78,000/year
Type of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
MA
Required Related Experience
4 yrs
Physical Requirements
Sitting at workstation for extended periods of time; repetitive motions typical of desk work (sitting/bending/twisting/pulling/typing); prolonged screen time; lifting/carrying/pulling objects up to 30lbs.
Shift
40 hours per week; Mostly Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm but there will be some evenings and weekends.
Job Summary The University of Kentucky is seeking a dynamic and student-centered professional to join the Dean of Students area as a Student Program Specialist, Senior for Leadership & Service. This position plays a pivotal role in developing, coordinating, executing, and assessing high-impact leadership development and civic engagement initiatives that foster student belonging, self-awareness, and community connection.
The Student Program Specialist Senior provides vision and daily management for signature leadership and service programs including Alternative Service Breaks (ASB), the Leadership & Service Living Learning Program (LLP), UK 101 LLP course connections, MLK Day of Service, FUSION, Circle of Love, and related leadership and civic engagement programs and experiences. The position develops curriculum and training materials, supports student learning and reflection, creates and executes programming, and ensures all programs align with the mission and goals of the Dean of Students and the Office for Student Success.
This role serves as the primary staff support for the ASB student leaders, LLP peer mentors, and related Leadership and Service student staff. Responsibilities include recruitment, hiring, training, coaching, and performance management to support student leadership growth and high-quality program execution.
The Student Program Specialist Senior also coordinates assessment, data tracking, and reporting for leadership and service programs, including serving as the primary manager of GivePulse for the Student Engagement area. The role develops trainings and communication strategies to strengthen understanding and usage of the platform across campus, and uses assessment data to guide continuous improvement of leadership and service initiatives.
The position collaborates closely with campus partners, academic units, housing and residence life, and community agencies to support meaningful service experiences and smooth program operations. Additional responsibilities include supporting major Dean of Students and Student Success initiatives, assisting with campus-wide programs, and participating on committees as assigned.
The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and collaborator who thrives in a student-focused environment, demonstrates a commitment to leadership education and community engagement, and is skilled in curriculum development, supervision, assessment, and program coordination. Student Success will, from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond, support students in living a life of meaning and purpose. From a student-centered framework, our practice will be grounded in peer-reviewed literature, national best practices, and data-informed decision-making. Collaborating with the campus and community, Student Success will work through a holistic lens to support a community of learners in achieving success.
Responsibilities
Provide vision and daily management for signature leadership and service programs.
Develop curriculum and training materials, support student learning and reflection, create and execute programming.
Ensure all programs align with the mission and goals of the Dean of Students and the Office for Student Success.
Serve as primary staff support for ASB student leaders, LLP peer mentors, and related Leadership and Service student staff.
Recruit, hire, train, coach, and manage performance of student leaders to support program execution.
Coordinate assessment, data tracking, reporting, and primary management of GivePulse; develop trainings and communication strategies to strengthen platform usage.
Collaborate with campus partners, academic units, housing and residence life, and community agencies to support meaningful service experiences.
Support major Dean of Students and Student Success initiatives, assist with campus-wide programs, and participate on committees.
Qualifications
Strong communicator and collaborator with a student‑focused mindset.
Commitment to leadership education and community engagement.
Skills in curriculum development, supervision, assessment, and program coordination.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Student development and advising
Leadership development
Budgeting and fiscal management
Program and project management
Assessment and data reporting
Curriculum design
Event planning and execution
Risk management
Travel and logistics coordination
Community and campus outreach
Partnership building
Supervision of student staff
Training and facilitation
Strong communication, collaboration, time management, problem‑solving
Proficiency with platforms such as GivePulse, BBNvolved/Engage, LMS systems, and Microsoft Office.
Preferred Education / Experience Masters degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Development, or similar field plus 5 years of experience supporting student development and programs or customer service equivalency.
Application Deadline 1/04/2026
EEO Statement The University of Kentucky follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Senior Specialist for Leadership & Service
Requisition Number
RE52564
Department
1B430: Student Organizations and Activities
Location
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
45
Salary Range
$47,278-78,000/year
Type of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
MA
Required Related Experience
4 yrs
Physical Requirements
Sitting at workstation for extended periods of time; repetitive motions typical of desk work (sitting/bending/twisting/pulling/typing); prolonged screen time; lifting/carrying/pulling objects up to 30lbs.
Shift
40 hours per week; Mostly Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm but there will be some evenings and weekends.
Job Summary The University of Kentucky is seeking a dynamic and student-centered professional to join the Dean of Students area as a Student Program Specialist, Senior for Leadership & Service. This position plays a pivotal role in developing, coordinating, executing, and assessing high-impact leadership development and civic engagement initiatives that foster student belonging, self-awareness, and community connection.
The Student Program Specialist Senior provides vision and daily management for signature leadership and service programs including Alternative Service Breaks (ASB), the Leadership & Service Living Learning Program (LLP), UK 101 LLP course connections, MLK Day of Service, FUSION, Circle of Love, and related leadership and civic engagement programs and experiences. The position develops curriculum and training materials, supports student learning and reflection, creates and executes programming, and ensures all programs align with the mission and goals of the Dean of Students and the Office for Student Success.
This role serves as the primary staff support for the ASB student leaders, LLP peer mentors, and related Leadership and Service student staff. Responsibilities include recruitment, hiring, training, coaching, and performance management to support student leadership growth and high-quality program execution.
The Student Program Specialist Senior also coordinates assessment, data tracking, and reporting for leadership and service programs, including serving as the primary manager of GivePulse for the Student Engagement area. The role develops trainings and communication strategies to strengthen understanding and usage of the platform across campus, and uses assessment data to guide continuous improvement of leadership and service initiatives.
The position collaborates closely with campus partners, academic units, housing and residence life, and community agencies to support meaningful service experiences and smooth program operations. Additional responsibilities include supporting major Dean of Students and Student Success initiatives, assisting with campus-wide programs, and participating on committees as assigned.
The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and collaborator who thrives in a student-focused environment, demonstrates a commitment to leadership education and community engagement, and is skilled in curriculum development, supervision, assessment, and program coordination. Student Success will, from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond, support students in living a life of meaning and purpose. From a student-centered framework, our practice will be grounded in peer-reviewed literature, national best practices, and data-informed decision-making. Collaborating with the campus and community, Student Success will work through a holistic lens to support a community of learners in achieving success.
Responsibilities
Provide vision and daily management for signature leadership and service programs.
Develop curriculum and training materials, support student learning and reflection, create and execute programming.
Ensure all programs align with the mission and goals of the Dean of Students and the Office for Student Success.
Serve as primary staff support for ASB student leaders, LLP peer mentors, and related Leadership and Service student staff.
Recruit, hire, train, coach, and manage performance of student leaders to support program execution.
Coordinate assessment, data tracking, reporting, and primary management of GivePulse; develop trainings and communication strategies to strengthen platform usage.
Collaborate with campus partners, academic units, housing and residence life, and community agencies to support meaningful service experiences.
Support major Dean of Students and Student Success initiatives, assist with campus-wide programs, and participate on committees.
Qualifications
Strong communicator and collaborator with a student‑focused mindset.
Commitment to leadership education and community engagement.
Skills in curriculum development, supervision, assessment, and program coordination.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Student development and advising
Leadership development
Budgeting and fiscal management
Program and project management
Assessment and data reporting
Curriculum design
Event planning and execution
Risk management
Travel and logistics coordination
Community and campus outreach
Partnership building
Supervision of student staff
Training and facilitation
Strong communication, collaboration, time management, problem‑solving
Proficiency with platforms such as GivePulse, BBNvolved/Engage, LMS systems, and Microsoft Office.
Preferred Education / Experience Masters degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Development, or similar field plus 5 years of experience supporting student development and programs or customer service equivalency.
Application Deadline 1/04/2026
EEO Statement The University of Kentucky follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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