Student Engagement Specialist

Overview

At the UMSL Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), we believe education transforms lives—and we work every day to make that transformation possible. We empower faculty, staff, and students to create learning experiences that are engaging, relationship-rich, and deeply meaningful. The CTL is a collaborative space where innovation meets support; we champion active learning and student success through programs that connect educators and learners in powerful ways.

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of teaching and helping students thrive, we encourage you to apply.

Hiring Department
Center for Teaching & Learning

Job Description

The Student Engagement Specialist contributes to high-impact learning experiences across the university by supporting student-facing instructional development and academic engagement initiatives. Working in close partnership with and reporting to the Assistant Director for Student Support Programs, the Coordinator will assist with training, mentorship, instructional observations, and ongoing program evaluation and improvement for programs supporting undergraduate and graduate students. This position supports UMSL’s commitment to student-centered learning, retention, and academic excellence by strengthening peer learning, graduate student preparation for teaching, and other student academic support efforts.

Because our programs continuously evolve to respond to campus needs, this role requires a high degree of flexibility and collaboration to navigate the constantly changing higher education landscape.

Program Development & Training

• Contribute to developing and updating educational resources, workshops, and materials that support effective peer learning and student academic engagement.
• Support the teaching skill development for graduate teaching assistants and other graduate student educators.
• Design, implement, and evaluate embedded student programs.

Student Employee Support & Mentorship

• Mentor and provide day-to-day guidance to student employees in embedded support roles (e.g., Supplemental Instruction Leaders, Active Learning Assistants, and graduate student educators).
• Identify and respond to emergent training needs based on student employee experiences.
• Support communication and ongoing development of student employees.

Teaching Observations & Feedback

• Conduct classroom observations for embedded student employees and graduate teaching assistants.
• Provide supportive, strengths-based feedback grounded in evidence-based instructional practices.

Faculty & Campus Collaboration

• Consult with faculty, staff, and campus partners to strengthen student engagement and integrate active learning approaches.
• Support CTL outreach, presentations, and communications across campus to highlight available resources and opportunities.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Assist with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to program activities.
• Contribute insights that help refine recruitment, implementation, and evaluation, while identifying emergent student needs.

• Instructional Coaching & Feedback – Ability to observe teaching practices and provide actionable, strengths-based feedback.
• Program Design & Facilitation – Skilled in creating engaging training and professional development experiences.
• Data-Informed Decision Making – Competence in collecting and analyzing data for program improvement and dissemination to a wide variety of audiences.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building – Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with faculty, students, staff, and campus partners.
• Welcoming & Student-Centered – Commitment to fostering learning environments that help all students succeed and reduce learning challenges.

• Received:
  Reports to the Assistant Director for Student Support Programs.
• Exercised:
  Provides mentorship and functional supervision to student employees in embedded support roles.

This position currently has the possibility to function as a hybrid position working 3 days in the office and 2 days remotely. This hybrid position is subject to change based on the needs of the role, CTL department, or university.