Student Orientation & Transition Programs Coordinator

Penn State Harrisburg, a comprehensive College of The Pennsylvania State University, is excited to welcome applications and nominations for the position of Student Orientation & Transition Programs Coordinator– Student Orientation Specialist – Intermediate Professional.  

The Student Orientation & Transition Programs (SOTP) Coordinator at Penn State Harrisburg is a full-time, professional staff member who plans, coordinates, and executes large-scale welcome and transition initiatives for incoming students (and their families) at Penn State Harrisburg. In partnership with campus offices across Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Advising, Admissions, and other stakeholder units, this role supports new student orientation, welcome week activities, and ongoing transition programming designed to foster student belonging, connection, and success at Penn State Harrisburg. 

This position jointly reports to the Associate Director of Student Engagement and the Director of Academic Support and Advising Services at Penn State Harrisburg. The role collaborates closely with partners across Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, including Academic Advising, Admissions, Financial Aid, Human Resources, the Office of Research and Outreach, and Parent and Family Relations. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ transition to college, collaborate across campus, and contribute to a driven team committed to access, inclusion, and student success. The SOTP coordinator plays a critical role in shaping welcoming experiences that support persistence, belonging, and academic engagement from a student’s first connection to campus. 

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and join a community dedicated to supporting students at every step of their Penn State Harrisburg journey. 

Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, near the city of Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania. The college is easily accessible via interstate and rail routes from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York, and Harrisburg International Airport is located within minutes from campus. The college is the largest and most comprehensive of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses. An undergraduate college and graduate school, Penn State Harrisburg offers more than 75 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs and is the only campus, along with University Park, to offer programs from the associate to doctoral levels. The college also offers the first two years of study leading to more than 160 baccalaureate majors offered throughout Penn State. At the transfer level, Penn State Harrisburg serves students from all Penn State campuses and from community colleges and other accredited colleges and universities. The college enrolls 5,000 students in residence. Reputation is Penn State Harrisburg’s hallmark – nationally accredited programs, award-winning faculty, and the resources of a world-class research university. We are Penn State in the Capital Region.  

Application Materials: 

A cover letter that clearly demonstrates how your education and experience: 

(a) identify your interest in the role  

(b) meet the qualifications (and, as applicable, the preferred qualifications), 

(c) share your contribution to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging, and 

(d) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described in the posting. 

Curriculum vitae or resume including work history, education, and training. 

Contact information of three professional references (including one current or past supervisor). 

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. 

Open Until Filled: Yes 

Special Instructions to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants must apply for the position online, complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume/CV, and a list of three professional references with contact information.