Career Center

Director of Student Inclusion and Diversity

Southwestern University invites applications for the Director of Student Inclusion and Diversity. This position has primary responsibility for building community, developing programs, and providing resources, support and advocacy for students with historically underrepresented identities, including Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual, and other sexual identities (LGBTQIA+), and underrepresented religious groups. The Director works to improve the quality of campus life for all students, creating and implementing frequent opportunities for education, skill development, and dialogue. The Director is an active contributor to the overall goals and responsibilities of the Division of Student Life, and to the University’s strategic priorities related to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity (DIBE).

Responsibilities include:

• Design and deploy initiatives to advance and create campus-wide opportunities for: meaningful dialogue; development of skills in combating bias and promoting belonging; and development of knowledge about differences, about the importance of cultural competence, and about the needs of unique student populations.
• Coordinate and/or implement targeted and culturally responsive programming, events, and services, guided by the principles of DIBE, to increase awareness and demonstrate importance of diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity among all students, faculty, staff, and other constituents.
• Work collaboratively with students to promote environments of belonging within the Southwestern community. Provide support and resources for all diversity and social justice organizations, mentoring programs, and advocacy groups.
• Regularly create and disseminate information to the campus community (resources, articles, happenings, and events).
• Maintain a high level of visibility and accessibility to students and colleagues.
• Model inclusive leadership, including active participation in the Southwestern University Diversity Enrichment Committee.
• Manage the department administratively, including budget management, report writing, web page management, supervision of student workers, and administrative support for the Diversity Enrichment Committee.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of the department’s work and uses data to drive decision making.
• Assist Student Life staff with Welcome Week programs which focus on identity development, DIBE, and the University’s Core Values.
• Serve as an internal resource and campus partner in resolving relevant student conflicts or grievances, with a goal of facilitating understanding, compassion, and respect for the worth and dignity of all individuals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• Master’s degree in education, social sciences, counseling, student development, or related field.
• Three or more years of experience in providing student development services in a college or university setting, including the conceptualization, planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs which focus on DIBE.
• Effective, professional communication (verbal, written and electronic) and interpersonal skills, including emotional intelligence, diplomacy, listening skills, good judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality at the highest level. Ability to present complex and emotionally charged material in understandable and usable ways.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external constituents (including students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni with a range of identities) in politically sensitive contexts often complicated by the presence of competing perspectives or interests.
• Willingness to adhere to the University’s core values.
• Ability to be flexible, adjust to fluctuating priorities, perform well in stressful situations, and produce reliable work product, both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability and willingness to travel utilizing standard, commercial, and/or personal modes of transportation.
• Strong work ethic. Ability to attend work consistently and maintain a regular work schedule, including availability on evenings and weekends as needed.

Position Preferred Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in DIBE in general and in the higher education industry.
• Prior work experience at a residential, liberal arts college or university similar to
  Southwestern University.

Southwestern University offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, long term disability, retirement, 15-paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, tuition assistance, access to athletic facilities, free parking and discounted meal rates. Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia. For information concerning the University, visit our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.

To apply: The University will only accept application materials through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/94987. Interested persons must submit a letter of interest, resume, the names and contact information of three professional references, and salary expectations. Email and paper applications will not be accepted. Only completed applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee. The Committee will review all completed applications until the position is filled. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University’s Background Check Policy process. EOE/M/F