Glassboro, New Jersey
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Posted: 18-Nov-23
Location: Glassboro, New Jersey
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 499089
Rowan University is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral University (Moderate Research Activity) with approximately 19,000 students. Its main campus is located in Glassboro, N.J., 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia, with additional campuses in Camden, Stratford and Sewell. The University comprises seven academic colleges and five schools. Rowan is one of two public universities in the country to offer M.D. and D.O. medical degree programs. The institution is also home to the South Jersey Technology Park, which fosters the translation of applied research into commercial products and processes. Rowan has been recognized as one of the top 90 public research universities and the 7th fastest-growing research institution in the nation.
Division of DEI
Rowan recognizes that diversity, equity and access are educational, economic, and civic imperatives and that diversity is essential to achieving academic excellence.
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) launched in January 2019, was the first division of its kind at a higher education institution in New Jersey. The division is charged with facilitating systemic change which addresses the following strategic priorities: creating an inclusive and equitable campus, recruiting and retaining diverse students, faculty, and staff, and promoting and supporting inclusive scholarship, teaching, and professional development.
Our mission is to support initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion by developing and sustaining meaningful and collaborative relationships that result in a more diverse and inclusive community and centering the voices of our community to drive university-wide culturally sustaining initiatives and equitable opportunities.
The departments of the Division of DEI include the following: Office of Social Justice and Inclusion and Conflict Resolution (SJICR), Center for Access, Persistence and Achievement (CAPA), Center for Neurodiversity, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Virtua Health College, and the DEI Faculty Fellow for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is shared between the Division of DEI and the Division of Academic Affairs.
Diversity Statement
Rowan University promotes a diverse community that begins with students, faculty, staff and administration who respect each other and value each other’s dignity. By identifying and removing barriers and fostering individual potential, Rowan will cultivate a community where all members can learn and grow. The Rowan University community is committed to a safe environment that encourages intellectual, academic, and social interaction and engagement across multiple intersections of identities. Creating and maintaining a caring community that embraces diversity in its broadest sense is among the highest priorities.
Position
Reporting to the Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, The Assistant Vice President will promote and implement the vision and mission of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) through innovative programming, research and initiatives, and will co-facilitate the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council.
Major responsibilities include:
- Working closely with the Division leaders to ensure all departments uphold the mission and vision of the division.
- Co-facilitating the DEI Council by providing updates and professional development.
- Monitoring the updates to the university-wide DEI Strategic Action Plans.
- Supervise graduate research assistants.
- Serve as the liaison to the Division of Student Affairs and collaborate with university partners to address barriers impacting the quality of life and retention of students.
- Oversight, supervision and guidance to the leadership of university diversity pipeline and support programs.
- Monitoring of grant programs and partnership for programs designed to support diverse populations.
- Assisting with coordination of recruitment, retention, graduation, and post-graduation support for students enrolled in diversity pipeline programs.
- Acquisition of grant and donor funds to aid in program development and resources for students.
- Assisting with leading efforts to support diverse and first-generation initiatives to improve enrollment, retention and graduation rates.
- Administration of emergency assistance programming.
- Assisting with the design, implementation, and management of social justice education programs and dialogues.
- Develop and implement comprehensive assessment plans for social justice education programs.
- Ability to critically analyze structures of power, privilege, and oppression to uncover systemic barriers and identify strategies for policy and practice.
- Assist in building and strengthening collaborations and partnerships to advance DEI initiatives.
- Provide consultation to departments based on their specific needs and goals related to DEI practices. This involves working in partnership with practitioners and working groups across the university to offer expertise and guidance in implementing DEI practices. Also includes providing DEI information and resources to campus communities.
- Work with the VP for DEI to support and develop new DEI strategies. This includes creating, designing, and implementing best practices to advance DEI initiatives and contribute to the overall institutional goals.
- Provide administrative expertise and oversight in the strategic planning process, execution, and evaluation of organizational DEI initiatives.
- Responsible for leading the assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of DEI initiatives, programs and campus climate. This includes gathering data, analyzing results, and using research-based practices to continuously improve and enhance university-wide DEI efforts.
- Develop and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations on and beyond campus to foster collaboration and partnership toward DEI goals. This involves actively seeking opportunities for networking, attending relevant events, and engaging with external stakeholders.
- Assist with recruiting and training facilitators.
- Guide marketing of certificate programs and training sessions.
- Other duties as required.
Expected Activities:
- Meet with the Vice President weekly.
- Meet with each director biweekly.
- Provide periodic progress updates to VP on the goals of each area in the division.
- In consultation with VP to prepare the agenda and minutes of DEI Council meetings.
- Contribute content to the DEI blog on a regular basis.
- Contribute to communications to internal and external constituents.
Core Competencies:
- Comfortable in influencing others to bring about improvement and change.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across divisions, functions and levels.
- Strong interpersonal, analytical and organization skills; and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and expertise in budget development and management.
- Ability to build cross-functional alliances and train personnel in proper procedures and policies.
- Team building skills, financial stewardship, budgeting and cultivation of external stakeholders.
- Strong customer service background is needed.
- Integrity, good judgment and common sense are critical to this position.
Education/Experience:
- Terminal degree required.
- 5 years of demonstrated progressive leadership and supervisory experience in field of higher education.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, experience with implementing programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated collaborative efforts with diverse groups and individuals; leadership in a complex organization; higher education administration.
Skills and Abilities:
Technology: Working knowledge of Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, e-mail, discipline-related software, and internet.
Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and interact tactfully with all levels of the college staff, students, and trustees; read, analyze, and interpret documents, budgets and contracts; and, respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Reasoning Skills: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Rowan University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diverse people and abilities. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
