Student Success and Engagement Specialist

East Carolina University ( ECU) ( https://www.ecu.edu), a member of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System, is committed to being a national model for student success, regional transformation, and public service. Through excellence in education, research, health care, community engagement, and cultural enrichment, ECU enhances the quality of life for our students, our state, and beyond. Located in Greenville, North Carolina (population ~92,000), ECU enrolls approximately 27,000 students each year, including ~ 5,500 students pursuing graduate and professional degrees. ECU is classified as a Carnegie R1 University and is part of a vibrant regional center for education, health, and the arts.

Greenville, situated 80 miles east of Raleigh and within easy reach of the Atlantic coast, offers a college-town atmosphere and exceptional quality of life. The city is affordable to live in and features a lively Uptown district with restaurants, breweries, and shops. Greenville provides abundant recreational opportunities, including access to the Tar River, over nine miles of greenways, nearly 30 parks, and a thriving arts scene. Greenville is located in the most recently recognized global biodiversity hotspot, the North American Coastal Plain.

The Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences ( https://thcas.ecu.edu/) is home to 15 academic departments, multiple research centers-including the Center for Survey Research, Geographic Information Science Center, and Water Resources Center-and a number of interdisciplinary programs ( https://thcas.ecu.edu/interdisciplinary-programs/). Harriot College's vision is to be an engine of access, knowledge, and opportunity for all learners through transformative education, innovative research and creative activities, and meaningful community engagement. The College and ECU's Department of Biology fosters a welcoming environment that supports the recruitment and success of students, faculty, and staff. It is deeply committed to increasing access to higher education by building a culture of care, belonging, and opportunity. The Department of Biology ( https://biology.ecu.edu) serves more than 1,400 undergraduate majors (BS and BA in Biology; BS in Biochemistry) and teaches over 17,000 students annually. Faculty provide high-impact research training for undergraduate, Master's ( https://biology.ecu.edu/graduate-studies/), and Doctoral ( https://idpbbc.ecu.edu/ and https://coastal.ecu.edu/integrated-coastal-sciences/) students. The department encompasses a broad range of biological disciplines and promotes integrative approaches that draw from across the natural sciences. Faculty and students collaborate widely across campus, including with the Department of Earth, Environment, and Planning; the Water Resources Center; the Brody School of Medicine; and the Coastal Studies Institute. Beyond ECU, we have important collaborations with Sylvan Heights Bird Park and with campuses and research centers in the research triangle and along the NC coast.

The Department of Biology and many of its research facilities-including microscopy, genomics, and vivarium suites-are housed in the new Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, a gateway to ECU's dynamic downtown district. Additional research and instructional spaces for the department are located in Howell Science Complex, Flanagan and the Science and Technology Building. Howell Science Complex is undergoing a major renovation with one wing of spaces, including teaching labs for courses in organismal biology, opening in Summer 2026. Plans are underway to relocate our teaching labs (including those for Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology) in Flanagan to a newly renovated second wing of Howell Science Complex within the next few years. The university also provides access to a range of cutting-edge shared research resources, including advanced imaging and sequencing technologies.

The Department of Biology is seeking to hire a Student Success and Engagement Specialist to support students and graduates associated with our undergraduate and graduate programs. Primary duties and their approximate effort allocation are student success and program administration (60%) and event planning and program support (40%).

Examples of effort in student success and program administration include managing student support programs such as Learning Assistant recruitment and placement, student ambassador programs, and peer mentoring initiatives; maintaining academic and program documentation such as thesis and dissertation committee records and TA evaluations; and coordinating exam proctors and TA office space assignments. This position is responsible for departmental website updates, development and distribution of departmental newsletter, managing departmental social media platforms, and submitting requests/tickets for marketing and communication needs through offices like Creative Services to promote academic programs, highlight student achievements, and enhance engagement opportunities; program-specific materials, including four-year plans of study, recruitment publications, student success profiles, and digital or video displays. These materials are designed to inform prospective and current students and support academic progression. All materials adhere to institutional policies, branding, and editorial standards.

Examples of effort in event planning and program support include coordinating graduate recognition ceremonies each fall and spring semester; planning and supporting recurring student engagement events such as orientations, research showcases, welcome events, and student mixers; organizing TA training workshops; supporting professional development opportunities such as career panels, alumni networking events, and lunches with visiting seminar speakers; coordinating lab tours and campus visit days for prospective students; and planning recruitment programs for prospective undergraduate and graduate students.

Individuals in the position must be capable of working in-person during a standard Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule but must have sufficient flexibility to adjust hours as needed to support occasional early evening and weekend departmental or university events.

High school diploma or equivalency and one year of related office experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

None

Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Teams, and the demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technology systems, including tasks such as webpage editing and digital content management. Strong organizational skills with close attention to detail and the ability to effectively manage multiple responsibilities and priorities. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to represent the Department of Biology and ECU in a positive, professional, and welcoming manner.

None

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.