1

Student Affairs Director Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

The Residence Hall Director is a critical member of the Student Affairs team and serves as an educator, mentor, administrator, and community builder. Through intentional relationships, leadership ...

The Residence Hall Director is a critical member of the Student Affairs team and serves as an educator, mentor, administrator, and community builder. Through intentional relationships, leadership ...

The Residence Hall Director is a critical member of the Student Affairs team and serves as an educator, mentor, administrator, and community builder. Through intentional relationships, leadership ...

The Director of Career Services will perform duties related to the operations of the Career Center ... Bachelor's degree required; master's level degree preferred in areas of student affairs, higher ...

Posted today

next page

Showing results 1-20

Student Affairs Director information

What does a student affairs director do?

A Student Affairs Director oversees programs and services that support students outside the classroom, such as counseling, student activities, housing, and career services. They collaborate with faculty and staff to create a positive campus environment and enhance student engagement. Their responsibilities also include managing budgets, supervising staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and responding to student concerns. Ultimately, their goal is to promote student well-being, growth, and success throughout the college experience.

What are some common challenges faced by student affairs directors, and how can they be addressed?

Student Affairs Directors often navigate challenges such as balancing the diverse needs of students, managing crises, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies. They must foster an inclusive campus environment while responding to sensitive issues like mental health, student conduct, and cultural differences. Addressing these challenges requires strong leadership, effective communication, and ongoing collaboration with faculty, staff, and student organizations to create supportive programs and policies. Continuous professional development and staying updated on best practices in student affairs also help Directors respond proactively to emerging issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a student affairs director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Student Affairs Director, you need a strong background in higher education administration, student services, and typically a master's degree in student affairs or a related field. Familiarity with student information systems, campus engagement platforms, and compliance regulations such as FERPA is often required. Leadership, conflict resolution, and strong interpersonal communication make individuals stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for fostering a supportive campus environment, ensuring student success, and effectively managing diverse teams and programs.

What is the difference between Student Affairs Director vs Student Activities Coordinator?

AspectStudent Affairs DirectorStudent Activities Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in education, student affairs, or related field; experience in student servicesBachelor’s degree often sufficient; experience in event planning or student engagement helpful
Work EnvironmentHigher education institutions, overseeing student services and programsCampus organizations, student clubs, and event planning offices
Employer & Industry UsageColleges and universities, student affairs departmentsStudent organizations, campus recreation, student life offices
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared based on leadership and administrative responsibilitiesFocused on event coordination and student engagement activities

The Student Affairs Director typically holds a higher-level leadership role overseeing multiple student services, requiring advanced education and experience. The Student Activities Coordinator focuses on organizing student events and activities, often with less formal education requirements. Both roles are vital in supporting student life but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Student Affairs jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Student Affairs jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Student Affairs Director jobs in Indiana?

For Student Affairs Director jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Student Affairs Director jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Student Affairs Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Student Affairs Director job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution.

Student Affairs Specialist: Programs and Engagement

West Lafayette, IN • On-site


Purdue University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 136 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

314th of 625 rated colleges and universities

Free food

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$36K - $41K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Student Affairs Specialist: Programs and Engagement
City: West Lafayette
Job Description:
Job Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Programs and Engagement, the Student Affairs Specialist, Programs and Engagement, will be responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale programs both with the Purdue Student Union Board for West Lafayette and Indianapolis, in addition to other Registered Student Organization events as seen fit by the Assistant Director and Director of Student Activities and Organizations. This position will work directly with students to assist with training in leadership development, programming skills, policy development, budget development and marketing. This person will help supervise major campus events, including safety and security, crowd control and compliance with contractual obligations and University policies. They will serve as on-site event supervisor and provide supervision of student volunteers, while representing the Student Activities and Organizations Office administratively. This person will cultivate and manage University-community partnerships, faculty partnerships and alumni networks that enrich campus programming both in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a specialist, this staff member will assist in the review all Activity Planning Forms and serve in an on-call rotation to provide consult to student organizations while planning events. Evening and weekend hours required.
What We're Looking For:
  • Bachelor's degree in College Student Personnel, Business Administration, Human Resources, education, or related field.
  • 1 - 2 years of professional experience in a Student Affairs related field.
  • Two years of a graduate assistantship in a college union or a student activities program, or related field, equals one professional year.
  • Strong skills in decision making, communication, interpersonal and intercultural relations.
  • Ability to coach and lead others, strategic thinking, and drive for results.
  • Ability to supervise of volunteers and work with diverse student populations.
  • A clear understanding of student development theories, co-curricular development, learning outcomes and ability to collaborate.
  • Ability to relate well to students, develop rapport, trust, and work within a shared decision-making model with the students.
  • Quick learner with attention to details.
  • Ability to collaborate and relate to people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Must represent the university with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy at all levels.
  • This position requires the ability to work evenings and weekend hours as business need dictates.

What is helpful:
  • Master's degree in higher education.
  • Experience coordinating or participating in student groups.
  • Experience managing volunteers, students, or staff, as well as large scale/high risk programs.

Additional Information:
  • To learn more about Purdue's benefits summary
  • https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/employeebenefits/benefits_enrollment/pdf/summaries/2023/Benefits-summary-Admin-Op-2023.pdf
  • Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
  • A background check will be required for employment in this position
  • FLSA: Non-Exempt (Eligible For Overtime)
  • Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan

Who We Are at Purdue University:
When you join Purdue University, you join a community that keeps moving forward. For more than 150 years, we've been known for not only our groundbreaking work in STEM research, but also for our collective imagination, ingenuity and innovation.
EOE: Purdue University is an EO/EA University


What Purdue University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom