Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Programs

The Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Programs will advise and mentor students and collaborate with other members of the Davidson College community to promote institutional goals guided by the college’s Diversity Statement:

Davidson College's commitment to diversity and inclusivity is grounded in the college's Statement of Purpose and extends to the entire Davidson community. The college seeks to foster mutual respect and understanding among and for all people of different cultures, ethnicities, races, colors, religions, sexual orientations, genders, ages, national origins, socio-economic backgrounds, and disabilities. We strive to enrich our community by attracting, supporting, and retaining students, faculty, and staff from a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives who bring a variety of talents, passions, and world views.

The Director will work with students from historically underrepresented and underserved groups, first-generation students, LGBTQIA students, and undocumented students.  The Director will also maintain strong connections with other colleagues working at intersections of culture and identity, including peers in the Academic Access and Disability Resources Office, Civic Engagement, International Student Programs, and Religious and Spiritual Life. 

The new Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Programs will also have the opportunity to work as a peer with a chief diversity officer, a position with separate institutional responsibilities that reports to the Davidson College President. 

The Director will be invigorated by student engagement and bring passion to the work of helping create inclusive communities.  The Director will be a visible and accessible campus leader whose priorities are: establishing and maintaining relationships with students and student groups, that include organizations related to students’ cultural and ethnic backgrounds as well as National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, which are advised through the Office of Student Activities; demonstrating an openness to learning about and developing an appreciation for Davidson’s history, campus culture, and aspirations; cultivating connections with faculty and academic leaders to help students holistically thrive; encouraging and facilitating dialogue between students and between student groups; creating an open and welcoming environment at the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion.

The Director should be knowledgeable of emerging trends and current events that affect students and impact higher education diversity and inclusion initiatives.  The Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Programs is a full-time, 40-hours per week, 12 months per year, salaried position that reports to the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervise one Assistant Director and one Administrative Assistant. 
• Promote the holistic well-being, resilience, and success of historically underrepresented and underserved students; first generation students; LGBTQIA students; and undocumented students.  Help enrich programs and services that encourage students’ personal and social well-being and academic engagement.
• Maintain strong connections with other colleagues working at intersections of culture and identity, including peers in the Academic Access and Disability Resources Office, Civic Engagement, International Student Programs, and Religious and Spiritual Life. 
• Lead a team that plans S.T.R.I.D.E. (Students Together Reaching Individual Development and Education), a pre-college program for first-year students of color.  Participate in/help lead S.T.R.I.D.E. programming that occurs throughout the academic year.
• Collaborate with diversity and inclusion staff on oversight of several campus spaces, including the Lavender Lounge as well as the Spencer Weinstein Center for Community and Justice.  Spencer Weinstein responsibilities include (but are not limited to):  Scheduling and programming the facility, which includes two meeting spaces that can be reserved, a kitchen, and community spaces; selecting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating student employees of the Center; and working with students, student employees, and Student Life partners to design and offer a breadth of programming and learning experiences addressing the goals of diversity and inclusion at Davidson.
• Mentor and advise individual students, student leaders, and student groups. Help students and student groups self-advocate and effectively navigate institutional processes to positively influence campus life.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with academic and administrative departments and with faculty and staff colleagues to enhance the availability of resources that support students' academic, personal and holistic development and resilience.  Similarly, foster connections with alumni to build upon existing networking and programming traditions.
• Facilitate student dialogue across varied points of view, providing opportunities to develop and improve understanding.
• Coordinate processes and protocols for responding to acts of bias and collaborate with other campus offices to help ensure compliance with federal requirements.  Provide direct assistance and support to students and make appropriate referrals to campus and/or community resources.  Roles may include notifying key parties, engaging affected communities, etc., in consultation with other relevant partners. 
• Collaborate with colleagues in Student Life on new student orientation and in other key student engagement initiatives in the division. 
• Identify, promote and/or provide professional development opportunities for key student-facing staff, including holistic advisors, advisors to fraternities and eating houses, etc., in order to strengthen staff knowledge and skills to serve diverse student populations.
• Partner with academic affairs and faculty on grant initiatives, special summer opportunities, and/or other immersive and high impact practices that promote students’ academic and holistic success.
• Serve as an active leader in the division of Student Life.
• Develop and maintain content for the Student Life diversity sections on the college website.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of a Master’s degree in multicultural education, student affairs, higher education, or a related field, is required.  Candidates should highlight their engagement with/understanding of the needs of the student populations served by the position.  Requirements include:  Proven experience (five years) in program development, implementation, evaluation and management; Ability to relate effectively to college-aged students, faculty and staff; Knowledge of diversity and inclusion theory and the ability to articulate the value of diversity and inclusion to multiple constituents; Ability to work independently and collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff and other community partners.  Additional knowledge desired: Understanding of student development and learning; Awareness of the mission and vision of a selective liberal arts college.

Apply online at http://employment.davidson.edu and attach a resume and cover letter by March 13, 2023.  Cover letters should highlight the applicant’s engagement with/understanding of the needs of the student populations served by the position. 

Davidson College is a highly selective, independent liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, that has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country.  Faculty of Davidson College enjoy a low student-faculty ratio, emphasis on and appreciation of excellence in teaching, and a collegial, respectful atmosphere that honors academic achievement and integrity.  Davidson is strongly committed to achieving excellence and cultural diversity, and welcomes applications from women, members of minority groups, and others who would bring additional dimensions to the college's mission.

At Davidson College, we believe the college grows stronger by recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff committed to building an inclusive community.  In order to achieve and sustain educational excellence, we seek to hire talented faculty and staff across the intersections of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, political perspectives, abilities, cultures, and national origins.