Assistant Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/Campus Diversity Officer

Assistant Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/Campus Diversity Officer

Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University seeks An Assistant Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/Campus Diversity Officer the Assistant Vice President/Campus Diversity Officer (AVP/CDO) provides innovative leadership to Southwest Minnesota State University to create a diverse educational community characterized by equity, inclusion, and respect for all people. This position collaborates to ensure equity and inclusion are valued and integrated into university policies, practices, and culture. This role actively participates in the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan, partners with others to assess and monitor progress toward attaining strategic goals and objectives related to diversity and inclusion, and designs and implements programs and processes to further those goals. The AVP/CDO, along with the Human Resources Officer, ensures compliance with Title IX and other harassment and discrimination-related laws and regulations. The AVP/CDO is a member of the President’s Cabinet; maintains strong collaborative working relationships among administration, faculty, staff, students and external constituents; and serves as a team builder. This position also represents the University by engaging with community, regional, and state partners on matters related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Review of the applications will begin November 15, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. The complete job description listing responsibilities and qualifications for this position along with information regarding the online application process can be viewed at https://smsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/1612. Additional information on Southwest Minnesota State University can be found at www.SMSU.edu

Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota State system and is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

October 2021

ADMINISTRATOR VACANCY NOTICE

Position: Assistant Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/Campus Diversity Officer

Salary and Terms: Full time position. Salary is commensurate with experience (MnSCU Administrator Range 6).

Appointment Date: July 1, 2022 or date to be negotiated

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin November 15, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.

Position Description: The Assistant Vice President/Campus Diversity Officer (AVP/CDO) provides innovative leadership to Southwest Minnesota State University to create a diverse educational community characterized by equity, inclusion, and respect for all people. This position collaborates to ensure equity and inclusion are valued and integrated into university policies, practices, and culture. This role actively participates in the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan, partners with others to assess and monitor progress toward attaining strategic goals and objectives related to diversity and inclusion, and designs and implements programs and processes to further those goals. The AVP/CDO, along with the Human Resources Officer, ensures compliance with Title IX and other harassment and discrimination-related laws and regulations. The AVP/CDO is a member of the President’s Cabinet; maintains strong collaborative working relationships among administration, faculty, staff, students and external constituents; and serves as a team builder. This position also represents the University by engaging with community, regional, and state partners on matters related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities:         

  • Supervise the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as they exercise their responsibilities to plan; to propose/recommend/monitor budgets; to recruit, employ and assign faculty/staff; and to oversee the development, improvement and retention of these programs. See organizational chart. Promote and support faculty and staff professional development and training; assess and evaluate overall outcomes and performance. Lead, manage and supervise to ensure integrity, departmental strategic planning, and oversight of student groups, program marketing and budgetary management.
  • Collaborate with faculty, staff and students to create and deliver programs and training that engage, support and educate the University community on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Collect data related to the diversity climate on campus and oversee a reporting system to monitor, analyze and benchmark progress.
  • Participate in the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan, partner with others to assess and monitor progress toward attaining strategic goals and objectives related to diversity and inclusion, and design and implement programs and processes to further those goals.
  • Collaborate to provide leadership and strategic direction in creating and nurturing an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination, intolerance and harassment. Responsible for coordinating and guiding plans, programs and initiatives that promote an inclusive environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Recommend policies and procedures to ensure inclusivity and equity across all constituencies of the University.
  • Collaborate appropriately to develop innovative strategies to assist in the successful recruitment of diverse students. Collaborate with Student Life and Development, Academic Affairs, and others to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and success-oriented environment for all students. Support initiatives to improve retention, persistence, and completion for under-represented or at-risk students. Support and participate in student-driven events and activities. Utilize data to identify where the University can support students inside and outside the classroom, to ensure equity in student success.
  • Provide leadership and partner with the Provost, Academic Deans, faculty, and university instructional entities to address and embed best practices in the development of equitable and inclusive pedagogical practice.
  • Represent the interests and concerns of the University by serving on relevant committees and councils and at conferences in the Minnesota State system, and at the state and national level. Serve on relevant university committees to develop strategies that promote the University as a place of inclusion, equity and multiculturalism.
  • Engage with community, regional, and state partners on matters related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Develop relationships with community influencers responsible for the design and execution of equity-based initiatives with the goal of establishing mutually beneficial objectives around equity and inclusion.
  • Serve as the University’s Title IX Coordinator, including the coordination of training, education, communications and administration of the sex discrimination complaint procedures for all members of the University community         

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Three years of relevant, successful and progressive experience in an organizational leadership position with responsibility for diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs.
  • Demonstrated experience managing a comprehensive diversity program, including curriculum development, organizational development and institutional changes.
  • Excellent command of contemporary diversity, equity, inclusion and multiculturalism theories and issues, especially as they apply to higher education.
  • Demonstrated ability to serve as an internal resource and consultant, working collaboratively with multiple constituents.
  • Demonstrated experience facilitating training in areas of focus, such as diversity, equity, inclusion, sexual violence prevention, or sexual harassment prevention.
  • Demonstrated excellence and experience with oral and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD or other terminal degree from a regionally accredited university.
  • Three years of relevant, successful and progressive experience in a higher education leadership position with responsibility for diversity and inclusion initiatives and programs.
  • Demonstrated understanding of how institutional programming and training can be used to enhance the inclusion and equity mission of higher education institutions for faculty, students, staff, and administrators.
  • Knowledge of Affirmative Action, Title IX and other applicable state and federal labor and employment laws.
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Standards of Professional Practice for Chief Diversity Officers.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance of equity, inclusion, and diversity to the broader educational mission of higher education institutions.
  • Demonstrated deep knowledge of both theoretical and practical frameworks of equity and inclusion sufficient to lead implementation of interventions related to issues of nondiscrimination, access, and equity in higher education.
  • Association with national diversity and equity organizations.
  • Experience working in a union environment.

To apply, complete the online application at https://smsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/1612  Application materials include a letter of application addressing position qualifications, resume/cv, and unofficial transcripts of highest degree. Additional information on Southwest Minnesota State University can be found at: www.SMSU.edu

Southwest Minnesota State University is one of seven universities in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. SMSU gives highest priority to excellence in teaching and preparing students to be lifelong learners through quality undergraduate and graduate teaching/advising and strong student/faculty relationships. Its mission, dating back to 1967, provides access to university-level programs in liberal arts & professional studies. The University has a special commitment to the educational needs of the people in its service region reflected through its curricula, cultural programs, diversity of staff and students, cooperative relationships with the public and private sectors, and regional institutions. The 216-acre campus encompasses 24 modern, interconnected, and accessible buildings. Marshall (pop. 14,000) is the hub of a rich agricultural area and offers a variety of cultural, recreational and educational opportunities. 

Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and is an equal opportunity educator and employer. The University is committed to affirmative recruitment and encourages applications from women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. Applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States. Requests for reasonable accommodation of a disability during the application and/or interview process should be made to the Affirmative Action Office, 507-537-6208. For TTY communications, contact Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529. This vacancy notice is available in alternative format upon request.