Director for the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment

Director for the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment

 

The George Mason University, Division of University Life is seeking interested and qualified candidates for the position of Director for the Center for Culture, Equity and Empowerment for University Life. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

 

About the Center for Culture, Equity and Empowerment:

The Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment leverage programs and services focused on advocacy and direct student support to strengthen equity and inclusion at George Mason University. Our advising fosters opportunities for identity development, cross-cultural engagement, and inclusive learning communities, affirming the indivisible aspects of all our identities.

 

About the Position:

The Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment at George Mason University represents the multiple teams that are led by the collaborative strategic directions. The Director will provide leadership and oversight for these focus areas:

  • Student Engagement for Racial Justice
  • Coalition Building and Education
  • Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT)

 

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a key member of the Assistant Vice President for University Life’s leadership team, providing sound counsel and feedback for decisions that affect the student experience, University Life division, and campus community;
  • Provide leadership and management to the day-to-day operations of the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE), including the center’s professional, graduate, and student staff, as well as the long-term strategic direction, evaluation, and assessment of the units and its service areas;
  • In advancement of the goals of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center, lead the development and enhancement of a social justice and anti-racist community engagement experiential learning model that centers student development, activism, research, and community needs regarding disrupting and dismantling systemic racism at all levels;
  • Provide leadership to the Student Engagement for Racial Justice service area, supporting the advisement of culturally based student organizations, commemoration of cultural heritage months, and development of student leaders and advocates;
  • Support the Coalition Building and Education service area, leading on issues regarding freedom of speech, bias education and response, campus activism, and conflict resolution among student groups. This also includes developing and enhancing justice, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racist training and development programs;
  • Engage with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, providing leadership and engagement regarding the mission of the department, its connection to the comprehensive support for BIPOC students, and education for the entire campus community;
  • Develop, enhance, and leverage collaborations with academic departments and faculty in alignment of the CCEE strategic mission and vision, and in support of comprehensive learning and development for students;
  • Manage departmental budget. This includes appropriately prioritizing departmental initiatives so that they positively impact the student experience as well as align with divisional and institutional priorities;
  • Chair and/or serve on committees, taskforces, and working groups that focus on issues related to diversity, inclusion, equity, anti-racism, and/or student success and retention for students of color;
  • Direct diversity-related workshops and programs, collaborating to promote a climate of understanding for equity, diversity and inclusion;
  • Develop, maintain partnerships with Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Involvement, Counseling and Psychological Services, Career Services, and other departments that aid in the recruitment, retention, and success of students;
  • Work with campus partners and external stakeholders in the development and enhancement of a more equitable campus climate by assessing and improving campus policies and practices that impact the student experience;
  • Provide leadership to the development, and implementation of justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism training and development workshops for faculty, staff, and students;
  • Partner with Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Involvement, University Counseling, Career Services, and other departments that aid in the recruitment, retention, and success of students;
  • Analyze and apply climate studies, demographic data, institution policies, current trends in higher education and other data sources to enhance diversity and inclusion initiatives; and
  • Develop and strengthen partnerships community partners and organizations whose mission centers diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

 

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in counseling, higher education, or related field and previous higher education experience or equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Related professional work experience, preferably in the field of higher education with progressively responsible experience; and
  • Experience supervising staff and/or leading campus/organizational committees, taskforces, or working groups.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Significant (generally five (5)+ years) experience direct or related professional work, preferably in the field of higher education with progressively responsible experience;
  • Earned doctorate or terminal degree in higher education, cultural studies, counseling, law, policy, or a related field;
  • Extensive knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, including current research, national trends in higher education, and theoretical models;
  • Significant knowledge of and experience serving and supporting BIPOC students and other underrepresented student communities;
  • Demonstrated ability to work flexibly, adaptively, and within ambiguity;
  • Proven experience developing and implementing social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism training, development, and education programs;
  • Demonstrated experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders including, but not limited to student affairs departments, academic affairs, community partners, educational associations, and government departments; and
  • Ability to engage diverse communities in problem-solving strategies, interpersonal and/or group conflict resolution skills. A commitment to the principles of coalition building and challenging dialogue. The ability to apply qualitative and quantitative assessment practices.

 

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA142Z at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

 

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.