Director of Student Engagement

Priority Consideration Date: March 2nd, 2026

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Summary

The Director of Student Engagement provides leadership and administrative oversight for the Student Life and Activities Department and Conference Services, advancing student participation, belonging, and engagement across a diverse student body. Provides leadership to Student Government (ASTCC), Student Activities, student newspaper, Student Ambassadors and Service Learning. The Director is responsible for planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of student engagement programs and objectives. The Director manages departmental operations, including the Services and Activities and the Technology Fee budgets, and ensures fiscal accountability in accordance with state laws and institutional guidelines. The position manages the day-to-day operations of Student Engagement programs and provides leadership in hiring, training, supervision, evaluation and professional development of professional staff and student employees. This Director reports to the Dean of Retention and Student Success.

• Provides leadership for student life programs and initiatives that support student access, engagement, retention and completion.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of student engagement programs and services including program outcomes assessment, accreditation, goal setting and improvement.
• Provide leadership, guidance and supervision to the Associated Students of Tacoma Community College (ASTCC). Develop programs that facilitate the involvement of students in the College's governance process.
• Serves as the primary advisor to Student Government.
• Ensure the development and continuity of Student Government by directing, advising, and guiding student leaders regarding college policies and procedures, maintaining the accuracy and full compliance of the ASTCC Constitution and By-Laws.
  • Coordinate training and placement of student representatives on tenure review committees and other college committees as needed.
• Establish standards of performance for personnel, budgetary controls, contracts and program operations within areas of responsibility.
• Ensure the effective development and expenditure of service and activities fees consistent with state laws and established guidelines and regulations.
• Collaborate with students, faculty and staff to deliver culturally responsive programs that promote equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Coordinate the Intercultural Communication (ICC) Series.
• Facilitate campus wide workshops and trainings on issues of equity, diversity, global issues and social justice.
• Oversee the coordination, administration, and evaluation of intermural sports programs.
• Plan and coordinate the annual Student Awards Ceremony; collaborate on other college wide traditions, including commencement activities.
• Lead student leadership staffing, planning, implementation, and promotion of quarterly Welcome Weeks programming.

College Support Activities:

• Collaborate with Conference Services to support the annual commencement ceremony.
• Serve as the secondary Student Conduct Officer, ensuring adherence to the Code of Student Conduct and applicable WAC requirements (WAC 132V-121-070).
• Participate as an active member in the Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment Team.
• Maintain current knowledge of research and best practices related to student success and engagement.
• Participate in local and regional professional organizations pertinent to the field.
• Represent TCC at the state level as the representative to the Council for Unions and Student Programs.
• Serve on department, division, and college committees as requested by the Dean of Retention and Student Success.
• Responds to campus emergencies as needed.
• Contribute to the implementation of the College's priorities, strategic plan and EDI initiatives.
• Serve as administrative approval for All Student email communication.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise full-time Student Engagement staff, part-time and student employees
• Provide oversight and support for student clubs and organizations to ensure compliance with college policies and procedures.

Budget

• Ensure fiscal accountability of the Services & Activities Fee and Technology Fee budgets by advising student government in annual budget development and monitoring expenditures for compliance with fiscal rules and regulations.
• Lead annual S&A and Technology Fee budget development process, collaborating with campus administrators and staff and preparing materials for executive leadership and Board of Trustees review.
• Maintain accurate fiscal records for all Services & Activities programs and services, including timely preparation and submission of payment vouchers and purchase requisitions.
• Contribute to the retention of college owned property by serving as inventory custodian for student owned property and equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of expenditures for all Services & Activities Fee funded programs and services.

Duties of the position require knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of State and Federal codes, statutes and regulations governing SBCTC/Washington State community college student services.
• Knowledge of principles of student development, student services administration, and shared governance with a community college environment.
• Leadership and management principles applicable to student engagement and organizational operations.
• Knowledge of behavioral intervention, threat assessment, and student conduct best practices.
• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, and fiscal reporting principles.
• Program development, assessment planning, implementation, and continuous improvement
• Outstanding cultural competency with proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops.
• Budget development, financial management and contract oversight.
• Demonstrated leadership, and/or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of student governance, student development frameworks, multiculturalism, inclusion, social justice, and social change models/theories.
• Collaborates as a member of a management team to support institutional goals that integrate instruction and student services and foster a supportive student-learning environment.
• Exercise group leadership skills, emphasize collaboration, consensus building, conflict resolution, and problem solving within a shared governance environment.
• Leads and facilitates the effective use of computer and instructional technology to enhance student services delivery and staff productivity.
• Works independently with initiative to develop new programs, services, and opportunities.
• Plans, organizes, prioritizes, and schedules work; meets deadlines, and provides clear direction, training, supervision, and oversight to others.
• Maintains accurate records and prepare reports, assessment, and procedural documentation.
• Apply legal and policy provisions to various problems consistently and appropriately.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, including assessment reports, and funding proposals.
• Represent the college in a professional manner.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with persons of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.

Duties of the position required experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in student development, higher education administration, student personnel administration
• Equivalent experience may be used in lieu of a Bachelor degree.
• 3 years of relevant experience working with students in higher education such as student activities, leadership development, student life, retention programs, etc.

• Experience planning, budgeting, allocating and managing fiscal resources.

• Experience managing staff and student employees.

Required conditions of employment:

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Resume and coverletter, In your cover letter describe how your background and experiences align with the responsibilities of this position.
3. Diversity Statement: Tacoma Community College is committed to creating and supporting a multi-cultural climate that welcomes, fosters, respects, and celebrates diversity. Please attach a statement (maximum two pages) describing your experiences with other cultures and communities, your level of cultural self-awareness and how you have integrated both experience and self-awareness into your living/working environment.