Associate Director for Impact Programs

The Student Engagement Center at the University of Kansas serves as a hub for student involvement, leadership development, impact programs and resources, and community programs. Through the Student Engagement Center, KU students deepen their connection to each other and KU by exploring communities and opportunities to thrive during their Jayhawk experience. Students will engage through registered student organizations, leadership experiences, and professional development workshops. The Center will impact students by providing for direct needs in the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing closets, and the Emergency Aid Network. Jayhawks will build community as they connect with peers and engage in student support programs. The Student Engagement Center enhances existing programs by providing greater resources and deeper connections across Student Affairs.

The Associate Director for Impact Programs is responsible for strengthening the KU student experience through programs and services providing for student basic needs, including the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing and winter clothing closets, and the Emergency Aid Network. The Associate Director for Impact Programs will supervise professional, graduate, and undergraduate student staff to implement a comprehensive range of services designed to meet students' basic needs and support their ability to succeed as KU students. The Associate Director for Impact Programs engages with students, staff, faculty, and the community to extend the reach of the Student Engagement Center.

The Associate Director reports to the Director of the Student Engagement Center and serves as a key member of the center's leadership team. Student Affairs at the University of Kansas makes learning possible through programs and services designed to support students across their KU experience as they achieve their academic and personal goals. Student Affairs serves as an advocate for students across the University community.

55% - Impact Programs and Services

• Establish a dynamic, future-oriented mission and vision for impact programs and services at the University of Kansas. Ensure all program activities and initiatives align with the unit's mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.
• Direct the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing and winter clothing closets, and related impact services. Oversee all procedures related to students' use of impact programs and services.
• Ensure physical spaces (both public spaces and storage facilities) associated with the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, and clothing and winter clothing closets are designed to meet the evolving needs of a dynamic student population.
• Establish program operating hours strategically to ensure broad student access to products and resources contained in the spaces.
• Oversee the center's use of Pantry Soft and related technology platforms designed to maximize impact programs and services. Recommend technology platforms for adoption or removal as appropriate.
• Develop systems for donations, purchasing, and ongoing inventory of products to ensure KU students have adequate access to basic needs.
• Lead campus-based initiatives for increasing awareness of these programs to both drive student use and campus-based support through drives and donations.
• Collaborate with local, regional, and national suppliers to increase inventory across impact programs and services.
• Supervise program coordinators, graduate assistants, and undergraduate student employees focused on addressing students' basic needs and associated impact programs and services.
• Supervise one or more practicum students from the School of Social Welfare. Maintain relationship with the school and eligibility to be a practicum site.
• Oversee communications strategy and products to promote impact programs and services, in coordination with Student Engagement Center and Student Affairs staff.
• Develop and manage program budgets associated with impact programs and services, in collaboration with the Director.

25% - Student Care and Emergency Aid

• Participate as Student Affairs representative in the KU Emergency Aid Network to ensure strategic use of Student Affairs student emergency support funds.
• Develop process to review applications and provide funding determinations in a timely manner.
• Partner with Student Engagement Center staff, Student Support and Case Management, Student Financial Aid, and other campus partners to promote emergency aid resources to KU students.
• Collaborate with Student Support and Case Management, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Affairs, and other campus partners to respond to individual student needs and concerns. Manage complex student needs and situations in collaboration with existing student care resources.
• Document student needs and efforts to support students using existing student care resources and platforms. Provide ongoing student support and follow-up as needed.

10% - Assessment and Planning

• Foster a culture of evidence-based decisions and practices related to the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing and winter clothing closets, and the Emergency Aid Network. Oversee the implementation of assessments to evaluate the effectiveness/success of programs within the Associate Director for Impact Programs portfolio.
• Track data-based trends related to student basic needs programs and services, both within and beyond KU. Identify trends over time and projections for future needs.
• Cultivate ongoing relationships with the KU Endowment Association to foster support for impact programs and services. Work closely with KUEA representatives to develop materials to both cultivate new donors but also to provide feedback and appreciation to existing donors.
• Collaborate with peer institutions and professional organizations to benchmark KU programs with regional, national, and international best practices.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate program learning outcomes. Ensure all registered impact programs and services advance departmental, Student Affairs, and university learning outcomes.

10% - Other Duties as Assigned

• Serve on Student Engagement Center, Student Affairs, and university-wide committees as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

1. Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field plus three years related experience, or a bachelor's degree and five years related experience.
2. Three years of experience advising and/or working directly with food security, basic needs services, case management, and/or emergency aid resources on a college campus.
3. Applied knowledge of best practices and national trends impacting student basic needs, including food and housing security and emergency aid resources, as demonstrated through work history.
4. Two years experience supervising staff or volunteers.
5. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and other members of the community.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills as evidenced by application materials and experience.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

1. A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
2. Resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for three (3) professional references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application review begins Monday, November 23, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Jordan Brandt
Director, Student Engagement Center
j.brandt@ku.edu

$81,600

Monday November 23, 2026

Monday January 4, 2027