Program Coordinator

Position Summary
Residential Colleges seeks focused, creative, and team-oriented candidates to collaborate with residential faculty in program planning and mentoring undergraduates. The program coordinator is part of Residential Colleges within the Provost’s Office of Undergraduate Education and will design and implement programs that help develop students’ academic identities outside the classroom. Specifically, the program coordinator will organize, attend, support, and assess a multitude of programs, events, and resources such as academic seminars, student professional development opportunities, and large-scale community events. In this role, the program coordinator will advise student leaders, work closely in partnership with residential faculty, and collaborate with staff from across the university.

About the Work Unit
Residential Colleges is a cornerstone of Vanderbilt’s approach to undergraduate education, intentionally linking academic life with residential education to support student learning, discovery, and growth. Aligned with the goals of the Provost’s Office of Undergraduate Education, the colleges create environments where intellectual engagement extends beyond the classroom and becomes a natural part of daily life. These communities bring students and faculty together in shared spaces that encourage thoughtful dialogue, interdisciplinary exploration, creative inquiry, and a strong sense of belonging. Through academic programs, faculty led discussions, research-oriented experiences, and opportunities for reflection and mentorship, students are supported in developing their academic identities throughout their undergraduate careers.

The residential college system includes The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons for first-year students and upper division colleges along West End Avenue, including Warren and Moore Colleges, E. Bronson Ingram College, Nicholas S. Zeppos College, Rothschild College, and Oliver C. Carmichael College. Across these communities, Residential Colleges partners with faculty, staff, and programs to integrate academic enrichment with holistic student development. This collaborative and community centered model ensures that students have frequent and meaningful opportunities to engage with faculty, explore ideas, build connections, and contribute to the vibrant intellectual life of the university. The Provost’s Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) advances Vanderbilt’s academic mission by supporting more than 7,200 undergraduate students in pursuing rigorous and inquiry-driven learning experiences. OUE collaborates closely with faculty and academic units to develop and sustain programs that promote undergraduate research, scholarly engagement, global learning, and other high impact academic practices that extend beyond the classroom. Through strategic coordination of curricular and co-curricular academic initiatives, including Immersion Vanderbilt, study abroad, and faculty driven academic programming, OUE ensures that students have access to meaningful opportunities for intellectual growth and discovery. By aligning resources, services, and academic support structures, OUE strengthens the undergraduate academic experience and fosters a community committed to learning, curiosity, and academic excellence.

About Undergraduate Education at Vanderbilt
The Provost’s Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) advances Vanderbilt’s academic mission by supporting more than 7,200 undergraduate students in pursuing rigorous and inquiry-driven learning experiences. OUE collaborates closely with faculty and academic units to develop and sustain programs that promote undergraduate research, scholarly engagement, global learning, and other high impact academic practices that extend beyond the classroom. Through strategic coordination of curricular and co-curricular academic initiatives, including Immersion Vanderbilt, study abroad, and faculty driven academic programming, OUE ensures that students have access to meaningful opportunities for intellectual growth and discovery. By aligning resources, services, and academic support structures, OUE strengthens the undergraduate academic experience and fosters a community committed to learning, curiosity, and academic excellence. 

Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Works with residential faculty within Residential Colleges to implement and develop programmatic initiatives focusing on the residential college system learning outcomes.
• Advises first-year student leaders in programming councils, focusing on student development.
• Assists in the creation and facilitation of residential colleges-wide programs, such as large-scale community events, orientation programs, and the field trip series.
• Assists with internal and external marketing and communications strategy, in alignment with the university’s strategic plan and office mission.
• Coordinates purchasing for assigned houses and various departmental programming needs.
• Collaborates with key campus partners such as Centers for Belonging and Community; Athletics; Government and Community Relations; the Career Center; Housing and Residential Experience; and Parents and Family Programs to further the support and academic mission for undergraduate students within and beyond the residential college system.
• Sustains long-standing relationships with key partners and stakeholders on campus and fosters new partnerships of strategic importance to increase community engagement and collaboration.
• Cultivates opportunities for programs and events in the Nashville community.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding communication and information received/gathered in office.
• Represents Residential Colleges and Vanderbilt University on university, community, and national committees and boards.
• Remains up-to-date on current trends in higher education and student development; infuses this knowledge into intentional program development with residential faculty and across the residential college system.

OUE Divisional and Institutional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate initiative by proactively identifying opportunities to improve processes, solve problems, and advance divisional and institutional priorities.
• Stay informed about and effectively utilize emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance academic and administrative processes where appropriate.
• Actively participate in divisional initiatives, professional development opportunities, and OUE meetings and events that strengthen collaboration and shared purpose.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment by supporting colleagues and contributing to shared goals across the division.
• Contribute to the mission of OUE and Vanderbilt University through participation on divisional and institutional committees, task forces, and working groups, as appropriate.
• Maintain a working knowledge of relevant university policies, procedures, and systems to support effective, responsible, and compliant operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and strategic priorities of OUE and Vanderbilt University.

Supervisory Relationships
This position reports administratively and functionally to the assistant director for student development in Residential Colleges.

Education and Certifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.

Experience and Skills

• At least one year of directly comparable experience is necessary.
• Experience working in higher education is necessary, including relevant student employment and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of how a higher educational institution works is necessary. This includes an understanding of the strategic challenges, knowledge of the formal structures, and an appreciation of the internal and external political context and how that influences appropriate behavior.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion is necessary.
• Outstanding organizational skills, including ability to prioritize, and carry out multiple assignments independently and in a timely fashion is necessary.
• Ability to collaborate with others in a team environment is necessary.
• Ability to communicate with students, faculty, staff, and community members in a manner that promotes dialogue and understanding is necessary.
• Experience working with faculty is preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering educational programming is preferred.
• Expertise in creating and conducting presentations, speaking effectively in public, and writing is preferred.
• Ability to utilize student development theory to inform programming, assessment, and cocurricular efforts in a residential setting is preferred.
• Ability to utilize current technology and social networking to enhance work is preferred.