Student Engagement Coordinator Jobs for OPT Students
Student Engagement Coordinator roles sit at the intersection of higher education administration and student support, making them a natural fit for F-1 OPT students. Most positions qualify as professional roles under STEM-adjacent or social sciences fields. Your 12-month OPT window gives you enough time to demonstrate impact and pursue H-1B sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsSalary
$37,330.00 - $48,529.00 Annually
Location
Beaumont, TX
Job Type
Full-Time Staff
Job Number
202600109
Home Org
Vice President Student Affairs
Opening Date
03/10/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Job Summary
The Student Engagement Coordinator supports a vibrant campus experience by leading student involvement initiatives and major programming efforts. This position provides direct supervision, guidance, and support to the Cardinals Activities Board (CAB) and commuter programming, overseeing the recruitment, training, and supervision of student directors and student workers involved in planning and executing events. The coordinator manages student scheduling and timesheets, designs and implements programs that enhance the student experience, and ensures all CAB events are effectively planned, executed, and evaluated.
Working collaboratively with university departments and student groups, the coordinator assists with planning and executing large campus-wide events, such as Homecoming, tailgates, and involvement fairs. The role is responsible for managing designated programming budgets, monitoring student staffing hours, and maintaining accurate financial records.
Additionally, the Coordinator leads marketing and communication efforts for student activities by organizing, creating, and distributing publications and promotional materials for students, faculty, and staff. Serving as a primary liaison among entertainers, agencies, and campus partners, the coordinator negotiates and coordinates contractual agreements and supports partnerships that enhance programming efforts. Through effective leadership, teamwork, and event management, this position plays an essential role in supporting student involvement and campus engagement.
Essential Job Functions
- Leads, supervises, and mentors the Cardinals Activities Board (CAB) and commuter programming, including recruiting, training, and overseeing student directors and student workers; managing schedules and time sheets; designing programs that enhance student experiences; supervising event setup, execution, and teardown; and evaluating program effectiveness.
- Collaborates with university departments and student groups to plan and coordinate events and supports the Associate Director in executing major campus-wide programs such as Homecoming, tailgates, and involvement fairs.
- Manages designated programming budgets, maintains accurate financial records, and ensures student working hours remain within allocated salary budgets.
- Develops, organizes, and distributes publications and promotional materials to effectively communicate student activities and programming to students, faculty, and staff.
- Serves as the primary liaison with entertainers, agencies, and campus partners; assists with negotiations and contractual coordination; and works with both on-campus and off-campus groups to support successful program execution.
Minimum and Desired Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, sociology or social sciences, communications, or a related field.
- 1 year of higher education experience related to student involvement, activities, programming, and student organizations.
- Must possess demonstrated experience in event and budget planning.
- Knowledge and experience using integrated software systems, including but not limited to: Campus Groups (or similar engagement software), Microsoft Office Suite, Banner, and Adobe Suite.
Desired Qualifications:
- Master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, sociology, social sciences, communications, or a related field.
- Valid Driver’s license without any moving traffic violations.
Supplemental Information
Key Competencies:
- Knowledge of event management and student programming practices, including planning, implementation, and assessment of student activities.
- Understanding of advising practices and student organizations' operations, including use of digital platforms, social media, and graphic design tools for event promotion.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous programs.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support events and student activities.
- Advise and mentor student leaders.
Physical Requirements:
Able to lift 25 pounds and perform various physical tasks, including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing, and walking between buildings.
Job Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive public contact and frequent interruptions.
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Salary
$37,330.00 - $48,529.00 Annually
Location
Beaumont, TX
Job Type
Full-Time Staff
Job Number
202600109
Home Org
Vice President Student Affairs
Opening Date
03/10/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Job Summary
The Student Engagement Coordinator supports a vibrant campus experience by leading student involvement initiatives and major programming efforts. This position provides direct supervision, guidance, and support to the Cardinals Activities Board (CAB) and commuter programming, overseeing the recruitment, training, and supervision of student directors and student workers involved in planning and executing events. The coordinator manages student scheduling and timesheets, designs and implements programs that enhance the student experience, and ensures all CAB events are effectively planned, executed, and evaluated.
Working collaboratively with university departments and student groups, the coordinator assists with planning and executing large campus-wide events, such as Homecoming, tailgates, and involvement fairs. The role is responsible for managing designated programming budgets, monitoring student staffing hours, and maintaining accurate financial records.
Additionally, the Coordinator leads marketing and communication efforts for student activities by organizing, creating, and distributing publications and promotional materials for students, faculty, and staff. Serving as a primary liaison among entertainers, agencies, and campus partners, the coordinator negotiates and coordinates contractual agreements and supports partnerships that enhance programming efforts. Through effective leadership, teamwork, and event management, this position plays an essential role in supporting student involvement and campus engagement.
Essential Job Functions
- Leads, supervises, and mentors the Cardinals Activities Board (CAB) and commuter programming, including recruiting, training, and overseeing student directors and student workers; managing schedules and time sheets; designing programs that enhance student experiences; supervising event setup, execution, and teardown; and evaluating program effectiveness.
- Collaborates with university departments and student groups to plan and coordinate events and supports the Associate Director in executing major campus-wide programs such as Homecoming, tailgates, and involvement fairs.
- Manages designated programming budgets, maintains accurate financial records, and ensures student working hours remain within allocated salary budgets.
- Develops, organizes, and distributes publications and promotional materials to effectively communicate student activities and programming to students, faculty, and staff.
- Serves as the primary liaison with entertainers, agencies, and campus partners; assists with negotiations and contractual coordination; and works with both on-campus and off-campus groups to support successful program execution.
Minimum and Desired Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, sociology or social sciences, communications, or a related field.
- 1 year of higher education experience related to student involvement, activities, programming, and student organizations.
- Must possess demonstrated experience in event and budget planning.
- Knowledge and experience using integrated software systems, including but not limited to: Campus Groups (or similar engagement software), Microsoft Office Suite, Banner, and Adobe Suite.
Desired Qualifications:
- Master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, sociology, social sciences, communications, or a related field.
- Valid Driver’s license without any moving traffic violations.
Supplemental Information
Key Competencies:
- Knowledge of event management and student programming practices, including planning, implementation, and assessment of student activities.
- Understanding of advising practices and student organizations' operations, including use of digital platforms, social media, and graphic design tools for event promotion.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous programs.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to support events and student activities.
- Advise and mentor student leaders.
Physical Requirements:
Able to lift 25 pounds and perform various physical tasks, including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing, and walking between buildings.
Job Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with extensive public contact and frequent interruptions.
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Student Engagement Coordinator
Target universities and community colleges first
Higher education institutions sponsor more work visas than most industries. Universities have dedicated HR and immigration offices, understand OPT timelines, and regularly file H-1B petitions for student affairs staff. Focus your search there before exploring corporate or nonprofit roles.
Apply before your OPT start date
Many coordinators roles have 60 to 90 day hiring cycles. Applying three to four months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers time to onboard you without rushing through compliance steps or worrying about a gap in your work authorization.
Frame your student experience as professional experience
Graduate assistantships, orientation leader roles, and student government positions directly mirror what coordinators do. Quantify outcomes wherever possible, such as programs organized, students served, or retention improvements, so hiring managers see a track record, not just coursework.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship early but tactfully
Raise sponsorship during the offer stage, not the first interview. Research whether the institution has filed H-1B petitions before using public DOL disclosure data. Entering the conversation with that context signals professionalism and reduces the chance of a flat rejection based on unfamiliarity.
Highlight STEM OPT eligibility if your degree qualifies
If you hold a STEM-designated degree in fields like educational technology or information systems, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. That gives employers a three-year window before needing to sponsor, which removes a major barrier to hiring international candidates.
Build relationships with campus immigration advisors
DSOs at your institution know which local employers have sponsored international students before. Those informal referrals carry real weight. A DSO recommendation or warm introduction can move your application past the initial screening stage at institutions that already understand OPT compliance.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Student Engagement Coordinator role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, in most cases. OPT requires that your job be directly related to your degree field. Student Engagement Coordinator positions typically qualify for graduates in higher education administration, counseling, social work, communications, or psychology. If your degree is in one of those areas and the role involves program development, advising, or community building, it meets the standard USCIS applies.
Can I find Student Engagement Coordinator jobs that sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, and universities are your best starting point. Institutions of higher education are cap-exempt H-1B employers, which means they can file petitions year-round without entering the lottery. That significantly improves your odds compared to corporate employers. Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness, so you can identify relevant openings without applying blindly to roles that will not support international candidates.
What happens to my OPT status if my Student Engagement Coordinator contract ends before my EAD expires?
You enter a 60-day grace period once your employment ends. During that window you can find a new qualifying job, apply for a change of status, or prepare to depart the United States. Your OPT EAD does not automatically extend, and you cannot work during the grace period. Securing your next role before your contract ends is the safest approach to maintaining lawful status.
Does a part-time Student Engagement Coordinator position count toward OPT requirements?
It can. USCIS requires that OPT employment be at least 20 hours per week to satisfy the active employment requirement. A part-time coordinator role at 20 or more hours qualifies. If the position is fewer than 20 hours per week, it does not count toward your OPT unemployment limit, which means those weeks accumulate against your allowed 90 days of unemployment and can shorten your authorized period.
How should I document my Student Engagement Coordinator role for OPT reporting purposes?
You are required to report employer information to your DSO within 10 days of starting a new job. Provide your employer's legal name, address, and a brief description confirming the role relates to your degree field. Keep an offer letter, employment verification letter, or contract on file. If your role changes significantly or you move to a different department, update your DSO again to keep your SEVIS record accurate.
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