Living Learning Communities Coordinator

About the Job

Living Learning Communities (LLC) provides opportunities for first-year students with similar interests to live and learn together in a structured and supportive environment that increases GPA, retention, and timely degree completion. LLC students engage in programs, activities, and initiatives that support their academic, social, and personal growth. Each LLC provides opportunities for leadership, civic engagement, and identity development while increasing students’ sense of belonging.

The Living Learning Communities Coordinator is responsible for managing the activities of living-learning communities at the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR). This role will work closely with faculty and staff members, as well as community partners, to establish a programming structure for each learning community and ensure that such programs are successfully implemented and sustained. This position is crucial in enhancing UMR students' academic and social success by engaging them in high-impact activities that build a sense of community and offer meaningful learning experiences.

The Living Learning Communities Coordinator will provide leadership to UMR's diverse on-campus students in their LLCs through an innovative student development model that focuses on educational, social, multicultural, and personal development. This role requires the ability to build strong partnerships and collaborations with academic, community, and external partners to cultivate living-learning programs that align with and contribute to UMR's educational priority and learning goals. The Living Learning Communities Coordinator must use a framework of equity and inclusion in all aspects of their work and support the success of UMR students.

The LLC Coordinator is part of the Residential Life team in Student Life reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Residential Life & Academic Initiatives. Additionally, the LLC Coordinator will collaborate and work closely with the Community Life Coordinator who also reports to the Assistant Director of Residential Life & Academic Initiatives. This role also manages the Living Learning Communities budgets.

The Living Learning Communities Coordinator is a full-time, live-on position requiring 40 hours of work each week, which may include some evening and weekend commitments. This role also serves as a member of the Professional Staff On-Call.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Living Learning Community Management: 50%
  • In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Academic Initiatives, develop, implement and provide continuous improvement of all living-learning programs on campus.
  • Work collaboratively to develop the goals and outcomes for each living-learning community.
  • Establish strong relationships with participating faculty and Student Life team members.
  • Work collaboratively with Student Life staff to plan for the successful integration of learning communities within existing programming; specifically residential hall programming and Student Activities.
  • Assist in the promotion of Living Learning Communities during Admissions and Orientation events; effectively communicate goals/services of the living-learning community program and make oral presentations.
  • Communicate with incoming new students and families in preparation for their first year at UMR to meet deadlines, understand expectations, and be prepared for new student orientation.
  • Help plan and organize Living Learning Communities-focused activities during new student orientation.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues in Residential Life to assign first-year students to their living-learning communities.
  • Serve as a good fiscal steward of the Living Learning Communities budgets and be in charge of purchasing items related to the LLC program and activities.
  • Coordinate and assess living-learning community programs and services using an evidence-based approach that results in student success with a focus on the sense of belonging.
  • Provide annual written reports on activities related to living-learning communities.
  • Collaborate with other campus leaders on important campus and system-wide initiatives.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Community Mentor Program Management, Hiring & Supervision: 25%
  • In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Academic Initiatives develop a Community Mentor program to provide peer-to-peer support for the Living Learning Community program.
  • Responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the Community Mentors to ensure understanding of the goals of LLCs and their role in fostering engagement and promoting sense of belonging.
  • Lead Community Mentor team meetings and individual check-ins.
  • Assist Community Mentors to successfully organize LLC programming that aligns with that LLC.
• Residential Life Support: 15%
  • Serve on the rotational Professional Staff On-Call schedule and respond to duty calls appropriately; Duty coverage is 24/7 while on-call and will include weekends, some holidays, and/or university breaks.
  • Serve on the Student Conduct Team - hearing low level conduct cases that occur in-hall.
  • Assist the Assistant Director of Residential Life & Academic Initiatives with operational needs and special projects.
  • Collaborate closely with the Community Life Coordinator to establish an effective in-hall programming structure and approach to maximize efficiency and impact.
  • Attend regularly scheduled Residential Life team meetings.
• Professional Development & Other Duties as Assigned: 10%
  • Attend regularly scheduled Student Life team meetings.
  • Attend regularly scheduled career development and diversity meetings.
  • Participate in special projects as needed.
  • Participate in campus committees as needed.

Appointment Details

Must perform the following essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation: This position is a full-time, FTE, exempt position which requires 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. It is preferred that this position live on campus. We are a face-to-face campus and employees must work on campus 80% of the time. Ability to work on-call with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university plus at least one year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrate experience in student affairs, activities, event planning, or other similar roles in higher education.
• 1 year of professional full-time post-BA experience in Student Affairs that includes administrative, organizational, and budget management skills.
• Experience with living-learning communities in higher education.
• Experience with first-year college students and understanding of student development and issues related to retention.
• Experience in supporting underrepresented student needs (first-generation, low-income, students of color, LGBTQ, and other under-served populations).

About the Department

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), located in downtown Rochester, serves nearly 1,200 students and is preparing to welcome its largest class yet in fall 2025. Faculty and staff are dedicated to innovative education, student development and applying research to enhance learning every day. With a strong focus on health sciences and student-centered learning, UMR partners closely with Mayo Clinic and emphasizes research-driven teaching to meet the evolving demands of the health care industry.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $53,000 - $63,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience. Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment, 12 month.