Vice President, Equity and Inclusion

Employer
University of Southern Maine
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The University of Southern Maine seeks a dynamic, collaborative, energetic, and persuasive leader to become its inaugural Vice President, Equity and Inclusion (VPEI). Reporting directly to the President, the VPEI is responsible for providing overall strategic leadership for the institution’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The VPEI joins the University of Southern Maine community at a particularly auspicious time as the institution’s leadership continues to reaffirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion. All students, no matter what religion they practice, how diverse their perspectives, or where they come from are welcomed and embraced. Admitting and supporting students consistent with non-discrimination policies remains an institutional priority as is identifying the support and resources necessary to help all students. Great value is placed upon the principles and promise of democracy and the ideal of liberty where the opportunity to better oneself and one’s family through education are considered sacrosanct.

The VPEI is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, works to establish and support the institutional vision of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The VPEI is an experienced and transformative leader with a deep understanding of the complexity and multiple dimensions of diversity, inclusion, and equity, including – but not limited to – age, class, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, and socioeconomic status. 

The VPEI advises the President and senior leadership and works directly with all sectors of the university community (students, staff, faculty, administration, and external constituencies).  The successful candidate will also provide guidance and implement strategy for an institutional culture that values, supports, and champions diversity, equity and inclusivity at the University of Southern Maine. The VPEI also provides university-wide leadership and facilitation of myriad efforts to promote the institutional culture and is responsible for the on-going assessment and improvement of these efforts. 

The University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is dedicated to providing students with a high-quality, accessible, affordable education.  USM’s strategic focus is in alignment with the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities and we are seeking to become a Carnegie Engaged University by the year 2020.  USM offers Baccalaureate, Master's, and Doctoral programs, providing students with rich learning and community engagement opportunities in the arts, humanities, politics, health sciences, business, mass communications, science, engineering, and technology.  Further information on USM can be found at www.usm.maine.edu.  We are also the home to University of Maine School of Law www.mainelaw.maine.edu.

USM’s three environmentally friendly campuses are unique, yet all share the extensive resources of the university — and all are energized through strong community partnerships.  Offering easy access to Boston, plus the ocean, mountains and forests of coastal, inland and northern Maine, USM is at the heart of Maine's most exciting metropolitan region.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Advanced degree in a relevant field and significant, relevant, professional experience focusing on intercultural competency and other issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
  • Proven record of success and achievement of significant results including proven ability to achieve institutional change in a complex environment.
  • Proven cross-cultural competencies, including strong emotional intelligence, influencing skills, and the ability to engage and build relationships with university constituencies and underrepresented communities.
  • Strong communication, consensus-building and conflict-resolution skills needed to navigate sensitive and often highly-charged situations to resolve problems 

Strongly Preferred:

  • PhD or terminal degree

The University community is committed to building a culturally diverse team of leaders, faculty and staff.  We strongly encourage applications from female and minority candidates.

Apply online at: https://usm.hiretouch.com/view-all-jobs. You will create an applicant profile and complete an application.  You will need to upload a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae and a list of the names and contact information for three references. You will also need to complete the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status form.  

Review of applications will begin October 8, 2017.  Materials received on or after that date will be considered at the discretion of the university. 

USM is an EEO/AA employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.