Program Manager for the Center of Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement

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Position Title:

Program Manager for the Center of Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Student Affairs Manager

Job Duties:

The Program Manager for the Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement (CDCE) at UWL manages the daily operations of CDCE programs, services, and events. Reporting to the Director, the Program Manager develops and implements educational programming focused on fostering belonging, community engagement, and cross-cultural understanding. Responsibilities include collaborating with student groups, organizing community-building events, supporting campus climate initiatives, and supervising student staff.

In this role, the Program Manager will collaborate and coordinate with university

departments and community partners to ensure alignment with UWL’s mission of supporting student success. This position emphasizes responsiveness to campus needs, enhancing cross-campus collaborations, and contributing to assessments for continuous program improvement.

The review of applications starts on November 16, 2026. Applications received on or before November 16th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. 

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Student Success and Community Programming

• Create educational materials and coordinate experiences that emphasize exposure to different perspectives, promote civil dialogue, and empower students civically. Encourage critical thinking while building essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and mutual respect.

• Design and deliver programs, workshops, and presentations that help participants navigate complex topics, foster a sense of belonging, and support student success.
  
• Manage Campus Thread, a free clothing closet for students, overseeing initiatives that promote career readiness and prepare students for life and work after college.

• Collaborate with the CDCE Director to advocate for policy revisions informed by data-driven insights and current trends from relevant sources.

• Manage assessments for events and programs, including reporting results to campus leadership, partners, and stakeholders.

• Assist in the evaluation of CDCE programming to ensure effectiveness and alignment with strategic goals.
  

Administrative Duties

• Oversee and maintain CDCE website, social media, and marketing materials.

• Assist the director with essential reports including End of Year and AIDAC reports.

• Provide support to review financial needs and provide insight for budget planning and management. This may include assisting CDCE Director by preparing and monitoring budgets, processing purchase orders for supplies and services, managing invoices and payments and reconciling financial records.

• Other duties as assigned, reflective of unit and divisional mission and values.

Collaboration Across Units and Divisions

• Collaborate with the CDCE Director to design and lead campus-wide programs and events in partnership with faculty, staff, and student organizations.

• Provide structured guidance for community-building and training programs for campus partners.

• Support the CDCE Director in aligning campus climate priorities with broader division initiatives.
• Lead divisional programming to ensure multiple celebrations and events are implemented throughout the academic year, including management of catering, staffing, and budget.

Supervision of Student Staff

• Oversee the recruitment, training, and performance of office and Campus Thread student staff, including hiring, promoting, scheduling, and approving work hours.

• Mentor student staff in developing knowledge on relevant campus issues.

• Support student worker career readiness skill development by providing feedback and support in line with student developmental goals.

Department:

Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement

Compensation:

$51,000 / year

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, sociology, ethnic & racial studies,communications, or related field.
• Minimum of 3+ years' experience of demonstrated ability to work with students from varying backgrounds with an understanding of barriers to student success.
• Experience coordinating large-scale campus events and initiatives, including logistical planning, budgeting, and assessment.
• Experience designing and leading educational workshops and professional development sessions related to departmental mission, vision, and values.
• Experience training and supervising student staff.
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in developing and implementing campus-wide programming on civil discourse, civic empowerment and discussions on various perspectives.
• Ability to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty, staff, and community partners to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish, Hmong, or other languages.
• Master’s degree in student development, student affairs administration and higher education, or related field.
• Proficiency with social media.
• Strong computer proficiency with Shop UW+, Peoplesoft, Qualtrics, and Canvas

How to Apply:

Required application documents:

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications) 

CV / Resume

Contact Information:

Caleb Colon-Rivera ccolon-rivera@uwlax.edu

Special Notes:

Application deadlines 
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. 

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials 
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. 
 
CBC & Reference Check Policy 
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) 
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. 

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS 
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. 
Highlights include: 

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions. 

• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage. 

• Paid holidays and paid sick days.

• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. 

• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. 

 
Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.