The Placement Exchange Job Board

UMN Morris office of Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs seeks a 100% time, 12 month position that reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor. The position is available at the Assistant or Associate Director level commensurate with the successful candidate’s educational background and experience.

The Assistant Director position is a Civil Service classified position, 8462ED, Student Services Professional 2 - Student Engagement and Development and the qualifications are a bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of related experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 6 years. 

The Associate Director position is a Professional and Administrative classified position, 9703ED, Student Services Professional 3 - Student Engagement and Development and the qualifications are a Bachelor’s degree plus at least 4 years of related experience required, Masters degree strongly preferred.

Purpose of the position
The Assistant / Associate Director provides leadership for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs in collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The office leads opportunities for UMN Morris students to advance intercultural learning and global understanding aligned with the campus mission and advances initiatives, partnerships, and programs centered on best practices for the success of American Indian students, students of color, and students from other historically underserved populations in higher education. The Assistant/Associate Director serves as a catalyst and key collaborator in campus efforts to build an inclusive, contemporary intercultural community. 

One of Minnesota’s most diverse universities, UMN Morris affirms students' multiple and intersecting identities; nearly 2/3 of UMN Morris students come from populations historically underserved in higher education. Native American students comprise 28% of students; BIPOC students comprise 38% of the students; 19% identify with a disability, 30+% of students are from low-income backgrounds and 40% of them will be first-generation college graduates. Acknowledging the complexities and care of diversity, equity, and inclusion work, the position offers 1) flexibility in work hours aligned with student life, 2) exploration of activities for personal and cultural joy, 4) opportunities for growth as a Student Affairs professional, 5) professional development funds, and 6) affirming mental health support through UMN HR policies.

Job duties
1.     Facilitate implementation of programs and services within campus strategic initiatives to develop students’ intercultural competence and to further the recruitment, persistence, and graduation of Black, Indigenous, Students of Color, and Students with Disabilities including:                    (35%)

• Advance the value of intercultural engagement, curricular, and co-curricular learning. Facilitate and document student engagement in high impact practices related to intercultural competence (e.g., oversee student travel funds). Build programs that value students’ cultures, histories, and lifeways.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender, cultural and ethnic backgrounds; communicate and interact effectively with people of all backgrounds.
• Guide and participate in implementing programs supporting students’ academic success and excellence; provide intervention and student support in collaboration with other units.
• Serve as a key resource to new and continuing students and their families; coordinate and play a lead role in outreach to communities of color to support students’ success at Morris.
• Coordinate World Touch Cultural Heritage programs with an advisory committee of affiliated student organization leaders and related campus units.
• Guide student leaders in developing events and accessing planning resources; coordinate a central calendar of affiliated student organization events.
• Lead and mentor students in project planning, culturally relevant practices, communication, documentation, and assessment.
• Collaborate with other campus offices and programs to support students’ access to campus opportunities, resources and services.
• Assist in students’ cross-solidarity, allyship with each other, and engagement with culturally-centered student organizations.

2. Collaborate in implementation of American Indian student-centered initiatives:             (25%)

• Serve as a cultural adviser and resource to students and their families; provide program support for the Circle of Nations Indigenous Association and its annual powwow, and other student-led events
• Serve on leadership teams for and advance campus programs and initiatives such as ceremonies, teach-ins, and partnerships.
• Work collaboratively with Native American Student Success, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and other offices and programs to support Native American students’ success.
• Participate in and support the UMN Morris’ American Indian Advisory Committee.

3. Assist in directing the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs:             (25%)

• Facilitate staff development programs and supervise student staff.
• Stay current on research and best practices supporting BIPOC students' success in higher education, share key resources and best practices, and assist others in using and applying them.
• Lead key aspects of EDI program assessment. Assist in coordinating program and engagement data collection and management. Implement assessment processes to document program impact and enrich student learning.

4. Advance core Student Life programs and resources:                         (15%)

• Participate in, lead, and/or co-lead Student Affairs collaborations and initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the Student Life On-Call staff, responding to student life and facility related issues on campus outside of regular hours for two to three weeks per semester.

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities

•  For assistant director: Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of related experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 6 years. For associate director: Bachelor’s degree plus at least 4 years of related experience required, Masters degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in an educational setting and knowledge of college programs.
• An understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion concepts and practices and a demonstrated commitment to student diversity, intersectionality, and cross-solidarity.
• Experience and demonstrated success working with Black, Indigenous, Students of Color, and/or students from other historically underserved populations.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to diverse student populations and the ability to contribute to the University’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive learning environment.

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

•  Master’s degree or higher in relevant field, plus 4 or more years of related experience.
• Training and experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion, college educational success, and retention strategies for disadvantaged populations.
• Experience with and knowledge about programs supporting Native American college success.
• Cultural knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about BIPOC students’ support and programming needs.
• Experience working with Google and Microsoft office software suites.

About University of Minnesota Morris

The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) provides a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship.As a public land-grant institution, UMM is a center for education, culture, and research for the region, nation, and world. UMM is committed to outstanding teaching, dynamic learning, innovative faculty and student scholarship and creative activity, and public outreach. Our residential academic setting fosters collaboration, diversity, and a deep sense of community.

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