Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Adler University, an institution that is a fierce champion of social justice, seeks a Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (VPDEI) to partner with the University's stakeholders as it seeks to build on its social justice mission and become an anti-racist institution. 

Adler University educates students to engage the world and create a more just society. Established in 1952, it enrolls more than 1,800 students in master’s and doctoral programs for social change through its campuses in downtown Chicago and Vancouver, as well as an Online campus. Adler University’s mission is to continue the pioneering work of Alfred Adler, the first community psychologist, by graduating socially responsible practitioners, engaging communities, and advancing social justice.

Under the direction of President Raymond E. Crossman, Ph.D., the VPDEI serves as a key member of the senior management team and the President’s Cabinet. The VPDEI is charged with providing system-wide (spanning all three campuses) leadership and direction to the diversity, inclusion and equity efforts as well as shaping, articulating and enabling the University’s strategies for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the campus community.  This role provides thought leadership to the University while leveraging industry knowledge and best practices to promote the mission and vision of the institution.

This is not a status quo diversity officer role. The new VPDEI will join a progressive University that has focused on social justice since its founding and is known for producing socially responsible practitioners. There is tremendous opportunity to build upon current initiatives and successes while also charting a path forward for the University. The VPDEI will be expected to develop vision and strategic direction for diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism at Adler that impacts all campuses and engages faculty, staff, students and the community.

Adler seeks in its next VPDEI a highly experienced senior-level diversity officer who has a strong alignment with the University's social justice mission and exceptional change management skills. Candidates should have significant experience in the higher education environment, a commitment to shared governance, and an inclusive leadership style. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the spectrum of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism practices and approaches in both the United States and Canadian contexts. A terminal degree is strongly preferred. 

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at www.wittkieffer.com. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 5, 2021.

WittKieffer is assisting Adler University in this search. Application materials can be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal. Confidential nominations and inquiries can be directed to the University’s consultants, Christine Pendleton and Oliver Tomlin at AdlerVPDEI@wittkieffer.com.

Adler University offers equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, parental status, housing status, genetic information, arrest or criminal record, source of income, or military status, in accordance with applicable federal, provincial, state, and law equal employment opportunity laws.