Assistant Director of Student Cultural Engagement in Saint Paul, Minnesota at Bethel University

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 4,700 students from 50 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

Bethel University’s Christ-centered mission includes a commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity. Bethel does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, or age in its admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.

About the role

At Bethel, belonging is more than a feeling. It’s created through relationships, meaningful experiences, and people who take the time to listen, connect, and care. As our Assistant Director of Student Cultural Engagement, you’ll help students from a wide range of backgrounds find connection, discover community, and thrive at Bethel.

You’ll build relationships, champion student voices, support student leaders, and create experiences that help students know they matter and have a place here. Whether you’re working with commuter and PSEO students, intercultural student organizations, or students who may feel less connected to campus, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their Bethel experience.

This is an in-person role on our campus in Arden Hills, MN. Day, evening and some weekend work is required to support student events. The starting salary for this position is $55,000 - $58,000 annually, based on experience.

What you'll do

Our Assistant Director of Student Cultural Engagement provides leadership that helps shape a vibrant, engaging, and development-focused student experience at Bethel University. This role supports the personal, academic, and leadership growth of our students involved with our Kingdom Culture groups, as well as commuter and Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) students.

Sharing responsibilities within Student Life, this role provides advising, mentoring, and program oversight while serving as a connector between students and university resources, helping students navigate Bethel, while also advocating for structures, programs, and experiences that support their thriving and belonging.

Primary responsibilities

• Develop and implement engagement strategies that foster belonging, connection, and community among PSEO, commuter, multi-cultural, and other assigned student populations. Develop and coordinate programs, events, and opportunities that respond to the needs and interests of assigned student populations.
• Build intentional relationships with students through regular one-on-one connections, group meetings, community gatherings, and informal engagement. Develop and support student-centered spaces, traditions, and experiences that foster community and connection, including the Cultural Connections Center and The Underground (a large event space).
• Regularly assess student engagement and belonging and use student feedback and institutional data to inform programs and priorities. Support Welcome Week each fall.
• Serve as a primary advisor and institutional resource for Kingdom Culture (intercultural clubs and organizations) and other assigned student organizations and communities. Advise student leaders in leadership development, event planning and processes, communication, and collaboration.
• Support students in developing programs and initiatives that reflect community goals and contribute to Bethel's mission and encourage belonging and connection.
• Provide leadership and oversight for co-curricular engagement and community-building initiatives for PSEO and commuter students.
• Partner with Admissions and Early College/Academic Advising in supporting PSEO students' transition, engagement, and continued connection to Bethel. Develop engagement and re-engagement strategies that strengthen PSEO students' pathways to continued enrollment at Bethel after high school graduation.
• Provide relationship-based support and care to students within assigned student communities, serving as a consistent and accessible point of contact Meet individually with students to listen, provide guidance, identify needs, and connect students with appropriate university resources
• Serve as a member of the Bethel Care Team and Academic Care Team to support student needs. Develop proactive support and outreach strategies for students who may be less connected to traditional campus structures

Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree

Required Experience: 2+ years’ of related experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience supporting and engaging diverse student or young adult populations.
• Ability to build effective relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Knowledge of student development theory and Christian higher education.
• Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, technology, and administrative responsibilities effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and ability to learn relevant student support systems.
• An understanding of the needs and experiences of prospective and current students.

Additional Responsibilities:

Bethel’s mission is to educate and equip students to lead lives of impact through transformative academics in a Christ-centered community. Bethel’s employee community plays a central role in developing our students as whole and holy persons. To carry out this mission, Bethel uses the foundation of our guiding documents, the Affirmation of Faith, Community Covenant, and Key Policies. Bethel expects all employees to actively participate in creating our Christ-centered community by agreeing with and abiding by our core beliefs in the Affirmation of Faith and supporting all other beliefs as Biblical, responsible, and thoughtful approaches while avoiding dissension and divisiveness. Employees teach and mentor students and help one another uphold our Community Covenant commitments. As a result of these expectations, all University employees act as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to carry out its mission and foster Bethel’s Christ-centered covenant community.

Other Duties: The essential functions, tasks and responsibilities of this position may change from time to time. Bethel University reserves the right to add or omit duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the University or its leadership. Additional tasks or duties required of the position, will be communicated to the incumbent with specificity to ensure the employee may perform their role with complete understanding. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Sponsorship Restrictions:

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Travel: This position requires occasional local and regional travel.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as desktop and/or laptop computers, photocopiers and smartphones.

The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university in which all employees are expected to have a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of the University, and an agreement to abide by all University policies.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The job requires extended periods of sitting and traversing the Bethel Campus on a regular basis and lifting and carrying up to 15 lbs. occasionally.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure people are able to perform the essential functions.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Expected Hours of Work:

Typical days and hours of work vary throughout the week (Sunday - Saturday) during the school year. The expectation is to work specific schedules and hours as identified and communicated by management. Evening and some weekend work is required during the school year to support student events. This is a 40 hour per week, 12 months per year position.

Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time off package. Learn more about these offerings here.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring .

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time