Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Chief Div…

The Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a senior-level staff member who supports and directly reports to the President, and also provides leadership in matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion across the entire Utica College community. The Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures that Utica College’s core values are embedded in all aspects of the college through a systems-wide approach to the development, management of and strategic planning for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Utica College.

The Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is responsible for helping the President, the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Senior Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment with the administration, management, and planning of the College’s policies, programs and services. The Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works with partners across the College and in the Utica community to develop programs and initiatives that promote a thriving diverse, multicultural, equitable, ethical, and inclusive College community where students succeed, knowledge is advanced, and community and global engagement are championed. To that end, they build an organizational culture that sets clear expectations, holds everyone responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion, provides appropriate support and ensures accessibility for students, faculty and staff at all levels of the organization.

This role is highly visible and requires executive presence and strong planning, execution, and collaborative skills. The role also requires the ability to bring about the institutional change that will create more diverse curricular and co-curricular experiences, embrace a diverse student body, faculty and staff, and ensure a more equitable and inclusive educational and workplace environment.

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Location Utica, NY Application Deadline *Full consideration by*: 12/31/2019 Open Until Filled Yes Major Responsibilities

The major responsibilities of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides equitable, ethical, and inclusive leadership on behalf of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of the President and promotes a shared vision for the College.
• Works closely with the President, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment and other members of the Cabinet in affirming the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through the implementation of College-wide diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that align with the College’s strategic plan.
• Supports fellow Cabinet members in decision-making that is informed by data, best practices, and emerging knowledge related to equity and inclusion.
• Acts knowledgeably and expertly with regard to required federal and state laws and regulations, College procedures, and policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Communicates professionally, sensitively, concisely, and eloquently the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and articulates a clear link between diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and the impact on the College’s overall performance.
• Partners with the Offices of Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research to initiate, facilitate, and oversee periodic assessments, utilizing the resulting data to inform plans and decisions, illuminate strengths, challenges and gaps in the advancement of an equitable, inclusive climate; and establish a system of accountability through identifying and implementing metrics for decision-making and evaluation.
• Identifies short and long-term institutional needs in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion and works diligently and collaboratively to create and execute plans to address those needs.
• Partners with the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and other members of academic leadership to design and implement strategies for creating diverse and inclusive educational experiences in the classroom.
• Serves as an expert resource to faculty and staff seeking advice on matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Works closely with the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Academic Affairs, and other key offices on efforts to improve workforce diversity through the design and implementation of proactive recruitment and retention strategies.
• Exhibits innovation in proactively responding to present-day and future requirements that are the result of demographic and cultural change.
• Promotes a cooperative work environment within the division/area and a collaborative relationship with all constituencies in the College community (students, faculty, staff, etc.) and with the wider community.
• Works closely with and is advised by work groups, task forces, or organizations within the College community that are focused on matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion (e.g. Diversity Committee, Strategic Advisory Committee for Diversity and Inclusion).
• Serves as a member of the campus response team to address incidents on campus and coordinate response, support and communication efforts, leading swift, effective responses to bias-motivated incidents.
• Develops and implements operational goals for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that support departmental success.
• Other duties as assigned.

Works with institutional partners to:

• Provide assistance to faculty on weaving diversity, equity and inclusion into curriculum.
• Design frequent, high quality opportunities for students of different backgrounds and perspectives to come together and engage respectfully in dialogue and activities.
• Design programs and interventions to improve the culture of equity and inclusion, and to strengthen College-wide functions, policies and communications.
• Identify and plan diversity, equity and inclusion training programs to raise awareness and develop best practices to cultivate a culture of civility, respect and ethical behavior.
• Identify and work with the grants office to apply for grant opportunities focused on enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
• Provide oversight for, facilitate implementation, and communicate outcomes of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion operational plan and related initiatives supporting the College strategic plan.

Driving Responsibilities

This position does not require routine travel using a College-owned or College-rented vehicle.

Travel Supervises • Advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Education & Experience Qualifications

Doctoral degree or terminal degree, or a Master’s degree with at least 10 years of experience in the area. Evidence of progressive administrative and management experience in the area (or a similar area) is required. Preferred qualifications include experience in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion, and an academic, scholarly record in the applicant’s field.

Minimum Skills/Abilities

The position requires the highest level of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a drive to work continually to enhance the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff, and to build a culture of equity and inclusion. The position also requires a combination of highly advanced knowledge, skills and abilities, including demonstrated ability to function effectively in a highly confidential executive environment; analyze, synthesize, and communicate complex information that at times may be emotionally charged; communicate in writing and verbally with excellent skill, including public presentations; manage multiple tasks simultaneously, effectively and efficiently; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a very diverse array of groups and individuals; monitor projects and tasks delegated to others and facilitate timely completion; coordinate programs and activities between and among the College’s many internal and external constituencies. This position requires a deep knowledge of the field, including recognition of the complexities of intersectionality in approaching diversity, equity and inclusion, with specific understanding of how multiple statuses (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ability, etc.) intersect to affect the experiences of students, faculty and staff.

The Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion must possess excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail; the ability to meet deadlines and to be adaptive and flexible; the capacity to handle sensitive information, deal calmly with crises and stressful situations and exercise excellent independent judgment; and have knowledge and understanding of important issues in higher education. The Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion must be able to work evenings and weekends on occasion; drive to various locations; and travel up to several weeks a year on behalf of the President’s Office and the College.

Applicant Documents Instructions

All positions at Utica College support the College’s mission and values in part by being active members of an inclusive environment. Please describe in your diversity statement how you would see yourself incorporating this into this role.

In line with the College’s Affirmative Action Policy, there is no requirement or expectation that a candidate disclose their identity or membership in any protected class or group, either in the diversity statement or in other application documents submitted to the search committee. For additional information on what to provide in your diversity statement please reference the diversity statement guide at the following link: https://www.utica.edu/hr/media/Diversity_Statement_Guide.pdf

Additional information Visa sponsorship is not available for this position EEO/AA Statement

Utica College is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, age, domestic
violence victim status, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Our community of students, faculty and staff reflect a diversity of experiences, opinions, and cultural backgrounds shaped by biology, society, history, and choice. Our community includes members who are diverse by virtue of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religious and/or spiritual affiliations, and socio-economic status, as well as the number of other ways in which who we are influences how we see the world. Furthermore, we value and celebrate diversity, and this results in a commitment to multiculturalism. We believe that within the community of human persons, all cultures, perspectives, and beliefs about faith, ideals, taste and lifestyles are of equal value. Our diversity deepens our commitment to nurture a multicultural environment in which we engage with others and blend perspectives, to learn about diverse cultures, to explore who we are and where we come from and to accept one another without prejudice. The Utica College Mission and Values Statement includes a commitment to fostering diversity in perspective, background, and experience within an environment that is dedicated to the freedom of expression and the open sharing of ideas.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Located in the heart of central New York, Utica College is a comprehensive,
independent, private institution founded in 1946 to offer options for college study to veterans returning from the second world war. More than seventy years since veterans returned from WWII, this tradition of serving
veterans is still held in high regard here at UC, and we are proud to welcome veterans as students and as valued members of our faculty and professional staff.