The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) will report directly to the NCSSM Chancellor, serve as a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Team, and will be a leader and a visible agent for NCSSM across all institutional programs and initiatives at both the Durham and Morganton campuses, online program, open enrollment program, and hiring and professional development of educators. Specifically, the CDO will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in support of NCSSM’s strategic plan to ensure a learning and working environment where all have an opportunity to succeed, as well as advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion as a part of our statewide mission to advance public education in North Carolina.

Strategic Leadership

• Plans, guides and advises the Chancellor, Leadership Team and other senior leaders on diversity, equity, and inclusion matters.  Collaborates with faculty, staff, students and alumni  to create, implement, and monitor programs designed to enhance diversity, and promote equity, cultural competence and inclusion. 

   

  Convenes and chairs an institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

   

  Serves as NCSSM’s representative on UNC System Diversity and Inclusion Council.

   

  Promotes NCSSM’s commitment to nurturing a climate of equity and inclusion through interaction with individuals and agencies inside and outside NCSSM, including the Board of Trustees, employees, students, parents, alumni, appointed and volunteer boards, the public, leaders across a diverse spectrum of spaces, civic and grass-root organizations, elected officials, colleges/universities and local and state-wide governing bodies.  Represents NCSSM in regional and local associations, civic clubs, ethnic and non-profit organizations.

   

  Provide leadership within the Durham and Morganton communities and alongside community partners.

   

Student and Academic Program Support

• Serves as the expert on STEM motivation in gifted, underrepresented student populations and utilizes scholarly research to inform this practice. This includes exploring partnerships and engaging with STEM programs, organizations, and corporations with a focus on diversity in STEM education, training and careers.

   

  Remains current with, and provides guidance to, NCSSM about all aspects of equity and inclusion issues in STEM education, gifted and higher education, including recruitment and retention, access and equity, and cultural competence.

   

  Works with Admissions to help support recruitment of students from underrepresented populations.

   

  Provides leadership in collaboration with Student Life to offer programming to support students from underrepresented populations.

   

  Work with all students to provide programming and training that helps create a climate of equity and inclusion on campus.

   

Faculty and Instructional Support

• Works with Academic Programs leadership and faculty to assess instructional programs and courses for cultural relevance.

   

  Works with Academic Programs leadership and faculty to provide professional development in culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy.

   

Data Analysis/Research/Internal Audit

• Works with Institutional Research to develop and analyze satisfaction surveys for students, faculty and staff that assess campus climate as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion and  makes recommendations based on analysis of the data. 

   

  Works with Institutional Research on all external reporting requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

   

  Establishes and maintains an internal audit and reporting system to allow for effective assessment of NCSSM programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Assesses and monitors program effectiveness and keeps leadership and the community informed of progress in meeting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

   

  Develop effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with local, state and federal compliance, as well as accreditation agency requirements regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.

   

Retention and Recruitment Program Development

• The CDO collaborates with Human Resources (HR) and other NCSSM departments to develop strategic hiring and retention efforts to attract and retain a highly talented, diverse workforce.

   

  Drives diverse talent identification and retention strategies for staff and faculty.

   

  Working with HR, departments, and other units, proposes, develops and deploys initiatives that broaden NCSSM’s outreach to highly talented, diverse candidates. 

   

  Works with HR to conduct workforce analysis across all position classifications in accordance with state and federal regulations.

   

Education, Communication, and Outreach

• Coordinates a wide variety of diversity programming at the school and community level addressing all dimensions of diversity and inclusion. Plans and hosts institutional and public events on the subject of diversity and inclusion. 

   

  Proposes and/or develops institutional programming related to diversity and inclusion, including employee developmental programs in areas such as cultural competencies and cultivating and retaining future leaders from diverse backgrounds. 

   

  Deploys and measures initiatives aimed at the promotion of diversity and cultural competence in the workplace. Facilitates group discussions and town hall meetings in response to campus, national and global events related to diversity and inclusion.

   

  Supports Distance Education and Extended Programs Division in developing initiatives and programs to bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts with partner schools across North Carolina.

   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience in a higher educational or comparable education setting.

   

  Demonstrated significant, progressive experience and expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion in a public educational setting.

   

  Program management experience.

   

  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

   

  Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations.

   

  Experience working with underrepresented students in broad skills development.

   

  Ability to work independently, problem-solve, and manage multiple priorities.

   

  Experience with gifted and talented students.

   

  Demonstrated ability to lead, coordinate and inspire individuals with different perspectives in a complex educational environment and to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, parents, administrators, alumni and community partners.

   

  Demonstrated significant commitment to the principles and promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competence.

   

  Excellent oral and written communication skills, a collaborative communication style, strong interpersonal skills, the proven ability to work with sensitive and confidential information and the ability to facilitate cultural change when necessary.

   

  Understanding of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity compliance regulations, policies, and practices.

   

  Demonstrated leadership in the cooperative creation and delivery of campus-wide diversity and cultural competency training programs.

   

  Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines related to affirmative action and civil rights enforcement; Demonstrated knowledge of employment policies and practices in higher education.

   

  Familiarity with the Standards of Professional Practice for Chief Diversity Officers as outlined by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE).

   

  Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across the School, University system and its member institutions, and statewide agencies.

   

  Must be motivated,ambitious, and innovative in the creation of a new institutional office.