Overview
Executive Assistant – Vice President for Culture and Connection Jobs in Rock Island at Augustana College
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At Augustana College, we don’t just educate students – we empower them. As a nationally recognized college of the liberal arts and sciences, we invest in engaged learning, maximizing student potential, and building strong community partnerships—the driving forces of our Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan (2024-29).
For our 2,500 students, Augustana offers a collaborative and student-focused environment, in which faculty and staff play an active role in shaping futures through hands-on learning, mentorship and leadership development. Located on a scenic, wooded campus in Rock Island, Illinois, Augustana is part of the vibrant Quad-Cities metropolitan area (pop. 470,000), about a 3-hour drive from Chicago.
We seek mission-driven professionals who are passionate about student success, innovation and making an impact. If you thrive in an environment that values curiosity, collaboration and the power of transformative education, we invite you to bring your talents to Augustana.
Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, generous paid time off, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.
Job Title: Executive Assistant to Vice President for Culture and Connection
Wage Grade: 730
Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt position. 12-month schedule
Reports To: Vice President of Culture and Connection (VPCC)
Position Overview
The Executive Assistant (EA) is the operational anchor for the Culture and Connection unit. This position provides high-level administrative, operational, and project support to advance the strategic priorities of the Culture and Connection unit. This role manages day-to-day operations, internal communications, and divisional budgeting while supporting initiatives that promote institutional culture building work and student success. Serving as a central liaison to campus partners, the Executive Assistant ensures the office functions with efficiency, professionalism, and care.
Key Responsibilities
I. Primary Executive & Administrative Operations
- Serves as a front-line ambassador and primary administrative support to the Vice President for Culture and Connection (VPCC); fosters an inclusive environment while triaging inquiries and referring stakeholders to appropriate campus resources.
- Manages the VPCC’s complex Google calendar, including meeting coordination, room reservations, and the preparation of departmental reports and data spreadsheets.
- Manages all office inquiries from students, parents, and community members; resolves needs directly or routes to the correct contact with high-level care.
- Executes clerical duties including drafting executive correspondence, preparing meeting agendas, and recording official minutes.
- Oversees departmental record-keeping, ensuring all physical and digital files are accurately organized, updated, and secured.
- Coordinates logistics for unit-led initiatives, including professional development workshops, capital projects, and campus-wide programming to promote culture and connection.
- Manages travel and event logistics, including lodging, transportation, and detailed itinerary planning for the VPCC and invited guests.
- Manages office supply inventory and oversees all incoming and outgoing departmental mail.
- Prioritizes office workflow and collaborates with campus partners to ensure all unit deadlines and strategic project milestones are met.
- Leads budget tracking and invoice management across the portfolio, including P-card reconciliation for the OVPCC, Office of Civil Rights & Title IX (OCRTIX), and Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS).
- Serves as project manager for assigned initiatives, establishing timelines and monitoring budgets to ensure the timely completion of deliverables.
- Provides administrative oversight for high-level convenings, including BEST, the Diversity Council, team retreats, and the preparation of Board of Trustee reports.
- Recruits, trains, and supervises student office assistants, providing mentorship and regular performance feedback.
- Serves as the designated Building Safety Officer for the unit.
- Performs other administrative duties as assigned.
II. Culture Building Support
- Collaborates with team members and campus partners to advance unit missions and strategic initiatives.
- Manages unit social media platforms and coordinates with Communication and Marketing to ensure website content remains current.
- Enhances unit efficiency by identifying and implementing operational best practices and process improvements.
III. Institutional Compliance Support (Title IX & Title VI)
- Supports Civil Rights & Title IX initiatives through meeting coordination, material preparation, and event tabling.
- Provides confidential support for investigations, including intake processing and verifying the accuracy of interview transcripts.
IV. OISSS & International Student Welcome Support
- Delivers logistical support for OISSS programs, including pre-arrival, orientation, welcome weeks, and summer bridge initiatives.
Education
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Additional experience and/or education in a college or university setting is strongly preferred.
Additional Information:
Pay and Benefits: This position is budgeted to pay $17.00 – $18.00 per hour. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of employees.
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive range of benefits including:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
- Life insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance programs
- Retirement plan with a generous company contribution
- Excellent paid time off/holiday benefits
- Tuition benefits for employees and their family members
- Access to company facilities (gym, pool, health center, etc.)
- You can learn more about our benefit programs at our Benefits website.
Required Qualifications
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with individuals at all levels.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other relevant software applications.
- Willingness and ability to learn new software platforms and adapt to evolving operational practices in a dynamic workplace.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion and in accordance with established protocols.
- Detail-oriented, with a high degree of accuracy in work output.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions, while maintaining focus, accuracy, and professionalism.
- Ability to work independently while also contributing collaboratively to a team environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in serving a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven experience providing high-level administrative support, preferably within a higher education or academic environment.
- Demonstrated experience in educational settings supporting student success, including assessing student needs and connecting them with appropriate resources.
- Experience with event planning and coordination, including managing logistics, communication, and follow-up.
- Multilingual proficiency.
Work Conditions
- This position is primarily based on campus in an office setting, with occasional off-site meetings or events.
- This role operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and scanners.
- Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to support departmental programs or special events.
Physical Demands
- The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds on a regular basis.
- Must be able to listen, hear, speak, read, write, concentrate, climb stairs, bend, and stoop as part of normal job functions.
- Must be able to use a telephone and computer regularly to perform a variety of administrative and communication tasks.
Expected Hours of Work
- This is a full-time position with a standard 40-hour work week.
- Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., during both the academic year and summer months.
- Occasional overtime may be required with prior approval from the supervisor.
Travel
- Minimal travel is expected for this position.
EEO Statement
Augustana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is Augustana College’s policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume by May 18th, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Please note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and duties associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all tasks, assignments, or expectations. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, based on institutional needs.
Title: Executive Assistant – Vice President for Culture and Connection
Company: Augustana College
Location: Rock Island
