Campus Life Urban Initiative: Common Application Information

Urban Initiative

Urban Initiative acts as a hub for community engagement at Westmont by introducing students to the realities of inner-city life and mobilizing our community in thoughtful response. Urban Initiative also hosts both campus events and urban experiential opportunities - in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Francisco - to promote discussion and understanding of complex issues that plague the inner-city, such as racism and poverty.

UI MISSION: Urban Initiative (UI) is dedicated to developing a Christ-centered heart for urban service & ministry at Westmont by raising awareness about urban issues and mobilizing our community in response.

UI Home Pages

Director [1] (Approximately 8-10 hrs/wk)

  • Provide student oversight for the UI program as a whole
  • Responsible for providing the vision and spiritual direction of UI
  • Attend and oversee weekly core team meetings
  • Delegate tasks to and provide student oversight and accountability for the rest of the core team in all matters related to the UI program
  • Communicate regularly with our ministry & service partners in various urban centers (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, etc)
  • Spearhead the planning and delegate the implementation of the various Spring Break immersion experiences (SBIC trips) as well as the weekend immersion experiences throughout the year
  • Participate in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and placement of SBIC trip participants
  • Spearhead and coordinate orientation opportunities for both SBIC trip participants and weekend immersion participants
  • Spearhead and/or delegate the planning and facilitation of events and activities throughout the year, both on and off campus, that assist in educating the Westmont student body about urban issues and opportunities. Such events and activities may include service projects in Santa Barbara, urban awareness activities and experiences, relevant book/movie discussion groups, etc
  • Attend all required fundraising efforts
  • Meet with the UI staff director on a regular basis for input, accountability and encouragement
  • Perform all other duties as assigned by UI staff director
  • Pray that our urban ministry and service partnerships will bring honor and glory to God!
  • This position reports directly to the Assistant Director of Campus Life for Ministry and Outreach (UI staff director).

Business Manager [1] (Approximately 7-8 hrs/wk)

  • Responsible for the financial aspect of the student organization via account management and funding development.
  • Account Management: Propose the organizational budget for the year, maintain accurate financial reports, and submit check requests as needed.
  • Fund Development: Spearhead fundraising vision and strategize its implementation in collaboration with the UI staff director.
  • Meet with UI staff director to discuss financial budgeting, account management, and receipting of funds raised.
  • Attend all core team meetings, training, and fundraising events.
  • Actively plan and participate in SBIC orientation and training - communicating all pertinent support raising information to UI SBIC teams.
  • Assist in planning both the Spring Break and year-round weekend immersion experiences.
  • Actively participate in the Spring Break immersion experience - location to be determined by need.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the UI staff director.
  • Pray that the ministry and partnerships will bring honor and glory to God around the globe!
  • This position reports directly to the UI student director and UI staff director. 

Publicity Manager [1] (Approximately 7-8 hrs/wk)

  • This position is directly responsible for communicating all things related to the UI program to the broader campus community
  • Develop marketing strategies for and coordinate implementation of any activities, either on or off campus, related to the UI program
  • Ministry Support: Work alongside the Coordinator of Local Urban Initiatives and UI sponsored teams to highlight their weekly opportunities.
  • Meet monthly with the UI staff director to discuss upcoming marketing and programming strategies.
  • Attend all core team meetings, training, and fundraising events.
  • Actively plan and participate in SBIC team orientation and training.
  • Assist in planning both the Spring Break and year-round weekend immersion experiences.
  • Actively participate in the Spring Break immersion experience - location to be determined by need.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by UI student director and UI staff director.
  • Pray that our urban ministry and partnerships will bring honor and glory to God!
  • This position reports directly to the UI student director and UI staff director.

Programming Coordinator [1] (Approximately 7-8 hrs/wk)

  • This position serves a key function in helping the campus to think critically about urban issues throughout the school year
  • Responsible for planning and facilitating events and activities, both on- and off-campus, that assist in educating the Westmont student body and UI participants about global issues and opportunities.
  • Assist, if needed, the Publicity Manager with communication of all things related to these programs to the broader campus community and/or UI participants.
  • Assist, if needed, the Publicity Manager in developing marketing strategies for and coordinate the implementation of any activities, either on or off campus, related to the UI program.
  • Meet monthly with the UI staff director to discuss upcoming programming strategies.
  • Attend all core team meetings, training, and fundraising events.
  • Actively plan and participate in SBIC team orientation and training.
  • Assist in planning both the Spring Break and year-round weekend immersion experiences.
  • Actively participate in the Spring Break immersion experience - location to be determined by need.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by UI student director and UI staff director.
  • Pray that our urban ministry and partnerships will bring honor and glory to God!
  • This position reports directly to the UI student director and UI staff director.

Travel Coordinator [1] (Approximately 7-8 hrs/wk)

  • Assume responsibility and supervision of travel logistics for all participants during both year-round weekend immersion trips and week-long Spring Break immersion trips - to include both transport and lodging
  • Arrange all transportation and lodging for UI core team planning trips to LA & SF earlier in the year
  • Work closely with the UI Business Manager to determine financial need and fund availability for both transportation and lodging
  • Ensure each vehicle is insured and that each driver is registered and approved via Westmont
  • In collaboration with the UI staff director, formulate and update an UI-specific crisis response plan for both year-round weekend immersion experiences and Spring Break immersion trips (SBIC trips)
  • Work with the Health Center to ensure total participant access to first aid kits at all times
  • Attend all core team meetings, training, and fundraising events.
  • Actively plan and participate in orientation - communicating all pertinent travel and safety information to all Break Away and SBIC trip participants
  • Assist in planning both the Spring Break and year-round weekend immersion experiences
  • Actively participate in the Spring Break immersion experience - location to be determined by need
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the UI staff director.
  • Pray that the ministry and partnerships will bring honor and glory to God around the globe!
  • This position reports directly to the UI student director and UI staff director.