Vice President for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity

 

Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, Diversity

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is seeking its inaugural Vice President for Equity, Inclusion, Diversity for one of the biggest and best universities in the nation. The vice president will lead and organize an infrastructure to facilitate and encourage community engagement, develop partnerships to bring about transformative change and identify and support target areas to maximize inclusive excellence at UCF. They will develop an institutional framework for equity and inclusion that supports the university’s mission and strategic plan, ensuring the pillars of equity, inclusion, and diversity are embedded at all levels.

With more than 68,000 students, UCF is one of largest universities in America. No public university in the U.S. confers more degrees annually. UCF is big because we believe in access and opportunity. We’re big because we believe lifting the lives and livelihoods of more people results in a stronger community and a stronger society. Our strategic plan distills our approach to a simple formula: SCALE × EXCELLENCE = IMPACT

UCF holds the Carnegie Foundation’s highest designation in two categories: community engagement and very high research activity. Kiplinger ranks us a national best-value university. At UCF, 44 percent of students graduate without any educational debt. Nationally, 34 percent of students graduate debt-free.

UCF and its 13 colleges offer 216 degrees from UCF’s main campus, hospitality campus, health sciences campus, online and through our 10 regional locations. The university offers 95 bachelor’s and 87 master’s degrees, 28 research doctorates, three professional doctorates and three specialist degree programs. UCF’s fully online programs include bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, graduate certificates and more.

Responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

The vice president for equity, inclusion, and diversity provides strategic leadership and engagement on equity, inclusion, and diversity opportunities and challenges at UCF. The vice president reports directly to the president and works closely with UCF’s academic and administrative units and external partners to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion goals are met. The vice president represents the president in developing and implementing plans, in partnership with university colleagues, to ensure Collective Impact metrics for equity, inclusion, and diversity are met. The vice president will serve as a resource for the entire campus community encouraging conversations and initiatives for faculty, staff, and students.

The vice president will work with senior university leadership, students, staff, faculty, and key stakeholders to define, assess, and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion. They will promote dialogue and action about the complex issues involved in creating and maintaining an equitable, inclusive, and diverse campus. The vice president will represent the university in local, state, and national leadership roles on boards, committees, and task forces related to this work.

The vice president will partner with Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions in recruitment and enrollment management; Financial Aid; Faculty Excellence; and diversity hiring, retention and employee recognition initiatives in Human Resources and across the colleges.

Oversight
Provides leadership support to the Office of Institutional Equity, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Academic and Support Services, campus initiatives related to the transition to a minority-majority institution and a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, student services in Social Justice and Advocacy, and other offices to be determined. The office will share a position/funding with the Communications and Marketing division.

Strategic Campus Partnerships
▪ Faculty Excellence 
▪ Faculty and staff with scholarship and expertise in areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion
▪ Academic programs specific to cultural diversity (e.g., Women’s and Gender Studies, Africana Studies)
▪ UCF Global and Global UCF
▪ Athletics
▪ Community Relations
▪ Partnerships and Innovation
▪ Student Development and Enrollment Services 
▪ UCF Connect
▪ Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning
▪ College of Graduate Studies
▪ Alumni and Foundation Relations
▪ Human Resources

A faculty appointment may be available to the individual possessing appropriate qualifications and credentials.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience, at least five of which were progressively responsible in equity, diversity and inclusion efforts; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and ten years of appropriate experience, at least five of which were progressively responsible in equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.

Essential Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective, diverse management teams
• Experience in hiring and budget management
• Knowledge of historical and contemporary issues and trends in law, regulation, and policy related to equity and inclusion (i.e., Title IX, Title VI, EEO, ADA)
• Superior communication, interpersonal and conflict management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree
• Record of teaching, research, and public service in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale change in a complex, decentralized, organizational environment with a record of strengthening equity, inclusion, and diversity
• Demonstrated cultural competencies, including strong emotional intelligence, ability to engage and build relationships with university constituencies and underrepresented communities.
• Knowledge of how varied forms of institutional data can be leveraged to benchmark and track accountability for the university’s equity, inclusion, and diversity mission

 

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting the University of Central Florida in this search. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. The search committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted. Submission of materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged.

 

All application materials should be directed to:

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.

Jan Greenwood or Betty Turner Asher, Partners

Marion Frenche, Team Leader and Managing Consultant

Kevin Bennett, Senior Executive Search Consultant

42 Business Center Drive, Suite 206

Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Phone: 850.650.2277

Fax: 850.650.2272

E-mail: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com

E-mail: marionfrenche@greenwoodsearch.com

E-mail: kevinbennett@greenwoodsearch.com

 

The search committee chairs are Jennifer Sandoval and Malcolm Butler who may be contacted at

Jennifer.Sandoval@ucf.edu and Malcolm.Butler@ucf.edu.

 

For more information about the Central Florida University, please visit https://www.ucf.edu/

 

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at: http://www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.