INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS LIAISON – STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging is charged with the development and implementation of a systemwide strategic vision that cultivates inclusive and supportive learning and working environments throughout the Universities of Wisconsin Administration (UWSA).

This office plays a central role in ensuring that the human and financial resources of the Universities of Wisconsin align closely with its stated mission to improve the human condition for all, inclusive of racial and ethnic identities, nationalities, social and economic status, sexual orientations, gender identity/expressions, ages, physical and mental abilities, religious beliefs, or political ideologies.

POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Associate Vice President, this position will support the work of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEDIB) with the Universities of Wisconsin, with a focus on the Student Affairs area.  The incumbent will work closely with the student affairs staff to enhance the student experience and promote student success. Examples of work include functioning as a liaison to the Universities of Wisconsin in leading key projects in support of the planning, operationalizing, and accomplishment of the Universities of Wisconsin’s equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy; partnering with the universities and system working groups/task forces (Associate Vice President Student Affairs, Associate Vice President Academic Affairs, Centers for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Human Resources, Women and Gender Studies, Office of Professional and Instructional Development) and organizations both internal to Universities of Wisconsin (i.e. WIPPS, WICCD) and external ) to expand topical educational and professional development workshops, programs and activities that advance the UWSA core values and commitment to a welcoming educational and work environment [examples: [EDIB topics, freedom of expression, Civil discourse]; developing and co-facilitating professional development/educational workshops and acting as liaison for campus professionals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• In keeping with the UWSA’s strategic EDI goals (cultural fluency, competence, inclusive and welcoming environment), partner with cross-functional leaders to evaluate initiatives and make recommendations to ensure that DEI has been considered, including but not limited to people policies, practices, procedures, and internal communications.
• Serve as subject matter expert to partnering departments to develop and disseminate EDI education and professional development.
• Support and advise on academic and non-academic procedures and policies as they relate to System-wide equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Partner with UW Human Resources to enable a consistent, fair, equitable approach to DEI hiring and implement recruiting and hiring strategies systemwide to attract team members from diverse backgrounds.
• Recommend strategies for addressing complex issues regarding diversity regulations, best practices, and policy interpretation.
• Direct the implementation of adherence to diversity policies and practices in a designated functional area, in conjunction with Office of Internal Audit audits effectiveness, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Research trends and issues in the EDI space to assist the universities with staying abreast of topics in the community of diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals.
• Identify evolving trends in diversity and technology to better inform innovative, inclusive learning strategies and partner with other UWSA departments to develop technologically based programs and activities designed to advance a more welcoming and globally aware campus community & workforce.
• Provide guidance for engagement around issues of equity, classroom, and workplace inclusion and the importance of diversity in the greater community.
• Manage the development and utilization of DEI resources such as books, quick guides, videos, pamphlets, etc.
• Contribute to and manage professional development series, including presentations in area(s) of competence/expertise.

• Develop, manage, promote, deliver, and evaluate a variety of educational programs, services, and activities to promote a welcoming, inclusive educational and work environment.
• Assist campus ODEI team members, faculty and staff in developing workshops, initiatives and programs and support the management of initiatives as needed.
• In collaboration with OPID, CETL and other units, identify professional development needs and design workshops, programs and activities to address those needs as needed or requested.

• Assist campuses to develop methods for data collection and benchmarking High Impact Practices.
• Work with campuses to identify and collect data relating to student participation in High Impact Practices.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness and success of programs, strategies and initiatives and make revisions as needed.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports with qualitative and quantitative insights that drive recommendations to the senior leadership team.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal/state laws, policies, and procedures (e.g., Equal Opportunity, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position, a candidate must have: 

• Master’s degree
• At least three years’ experience in Academic or Student Affairs in higher education.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, and the interpersonal skills necessary to interface at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead and support change management with an emphasis on behavioral change.
• Experience in analyzing and synthesizing a variety of different inputs to create reports and other documents in a variety of formats. 
• Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills
• Skill in data-driven decision making.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Well qualified applicants will also have a substantial amount of experience in a combination of the following:

• Knowledge of higher education policy.
• Experience in an institution of higher education setting.
• Familiarity with Inclusive Excellence Framework and High Impact Practices

DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin.  We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Universities of Wisconsin is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment. 

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

WORK LOCATION
The office location is in Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.   The work schedule will be consistent with the current UW Administration’s work schedule policy, which may include up to four days per week in-office schedule and one day remote.   Any exceptions to this requirement will require to prior approval of the UW President.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, academic staff position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $70,000 – $87,500 annually commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees. Please see this link for total compensation information: UW System Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator.   

SPECIAL NOTES:
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting Lori Fuller, Senior HR Manager/Executive Search Liaison, lfuller@uwsa.edu.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Thursday, February 22, 2024. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

1. Go to the UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online and select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants  and click on the position title that you want to apply for.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions and be sure to include your salary expectations when asked in our applicant tracking system. In addition, please be sure to upload ALL THREE of the required documents: resume, cover letter, and references as PDF files. Failing to include any of these documents may disqualify your application.
   1. Your cover letter must specifically address how your education and experience relate to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
   2. Your reference page should include the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references with at least one being from a current or previous supervisor.
3. Submit your application.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.  We promote excellent through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Questions may be addressed to: Lori Fuller, Senior HR Manager/Executive Search Liaison, lfuller@uwsa.edu.