Parent Engagement Coordinator (GA082)

Location: Farmville, VA Category: Administrative/Professional Posted On: Fri May 30 2025 Job Description:

Longwood University invites applications for the Parent Engagement Coordinator (GA082) position in Student Success. The Parent Engagement Coordinator develops and implements strategies that connect parents and families with the college in ways that reinforce student independence and success. With a dual focus on enrollment and retention, the coordinator creates programs and communications that help families understand and embrace their evolving role from decision-making guides to encouraging supporters. The position includes building a parent mentor initiative, supported by alumni, that offers insight and reassurance to families navigating the transition into college life.

This position is located in Farmville, Virginia, and is required to work in person on Longwood University's campus.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Create and execute a comprehensive parent engagement plan that empowers families to support student success without overstepping.
• Partner with the admissions office to engage prospective families in a way that builds trust and confidence in the Longwood's ability to support students.
• Represent parent engagement at events like open house and orientation, guiding parents on how to support the college transition.
• Design and implement programs that support families through key transitions, such as a Parent Mentor Program, webinars and events (live or virtual) that help families understand timelines, expectations and how to nudge students towards resources.
• Support a Parent Council helping guide institutional family engagement strategy and gather feedback.
• Communicate major milestones and what families can expect, and the parents' role across each phase of the student lifecycle, while reinforcing the importance of student ownership.
• Work with Student Affairs, Academic Success, and retention teams to inform families about resources while encouraging student-led problem-solving, with a particular focus on peak stress or decision points (e.g., midterms, registration, changing majors, internships, etc.).
• Develop seasonal messaging (e.g., midterms, registration, housing deadlines) that helps families know when to nudge without overstepping.
• Translate insights from family interactions into actionable feedback for student support services.
• Coordinate parent involvement in programs such as "Family Weekend" and other community events.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required in Counseling, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• Preferred experience in higher education, particularly in family engagement, enrollment, or student development.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to balance warmth, clarity, and boundaries in messaging to families.
• Experience working across departments to implement initiatives that support student success.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills in order to successfully counsel and respond to student and family needs and also partner with a variety of constituents and departmental stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict, interpret, apply and navigate policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to work to meet deadlines, work accurately and quickly with attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple complex programs and projects simultaneously.
• Proven experience delivering presentations to different audiences and sizes.
• Ability to meet goals with little supervision and guidance.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with consistent follow-up.

Additional Information:

This position is a full-time, administrative and professional, exempt position. This position is initially funded for one year through a grant, with potential for continuation if further funding becomes available. A successful fingerprint based criminal background investigation is required. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Commonwealth of Virginia benefits accompany this position to include:

• State health and dental benefits & flexible spending accounts
• Paid leave (which may include sick leave, personal leave, annual leave, etc.), and 13 holidays
• Retirement savings plans (some with limited employer match available (VRS))
• Life & Long-Term care insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts for various services, including Verizon
• Educational benefits for most employees
• Fitness Center membership less expensive than most

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Longwood University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodations to applicants in need of accommodations in order to provide access to the application and/or interview process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on your application. If, however, you require accommodations in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 434-395-2074 or humres@longwood.edu .

Per CFR: Title 34, the Title IX Coordinator's contact information can be located through this link http://www.longwood.edu/titleix/ .

A diversified workforce is an important part of our strategic plan. EOE/AA