Brandeis University seeks nominations and applications for a chief diversity officer and vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Named for Louis Dembitz Brandeis, the first Jewish justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Brandeis University was established in 1948 with support from the Jewish community. The University sought to reflect Justice Brandeis' dedication to open inquiry, the pursuit of truth and an insistence on critical thinking and social justice. Brandeis is also home to departments and programs deeply invested in diversity, equity and inclusion, including the first African and African American Studies department. Today, Brandeis is guided by its founding values and poised to lead in education and research in the 21^st century. The University's 235-acre campus is located in the suburbs of Boston, a global hub for higher education and innovation. The campus is home to 3,493 undergraduates and 1,947 graduate students, 544 faculty and 1,573 staff members. The total student body includes 28% domestic students of color and 24% international students.

This is a campus that holds respectful dissent as an essential component of a free and open society, and Brandeis students have helped keep the University accountable to its mission and values, making it an exciting environment in which to work on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. Campus activism — such as the 1969 student occupation of Ford Hall, student protests in 2015, the recent Black Action Plan created by students and University-wide anti-racism plans —  fuels the evolution of efforts to support students, faculty and staff from marginalized populations to establish an equitable environment.

Brandeis seeks a leader who, in consultation with the entire campus community, can build upon current diversity and inclusion efforts to continue moving the campus forward. The CDO will articulate a vision around diversity, equity and inclusion to provide leadership, concrete steps, counsel, advocacy, accountability, programming and a point of connection and communication for the University. The CDO serves as a member of the President's Cabinet, reports to President Ron Liebowitz and oversees the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Candidates will bring a depth of experience and a broad understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion to be able to collaborate with students, staff and faculty and form links with the academic community. The CDO will be a strategic thinker and consensus builder with a record of advancing an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory agenda that recognizes anti-Semitism and works to create inclusion among all of the protected class categories represented in the Brandeis community. Equally important will be an ability to listen deeply, empathize and be compassionate with students and all employees. The CDO will be a courageous trailblazer, unafraid to confront conflicts, empathetic, proactive, results-oriented, collaborative, creative and forward-thinking. The ideal candidate will also have an appreciation of Brandeis' history, culture and values.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as three separate documents, a CV or resume, a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile and a diversity statement.

WittKieffer is assisting Brandeis University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 5, 2021.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Charlene L. Aguilar, Ed.M. and Shelley Arakawa, J.D.

BrandeisCDO-VPDEI@wittkieffer.com

Brandeis University is committed to and strives to create an education and work environment free of discrimination, harassment & sexual violence. Brandeis prohibits discrimination and harassment against students, staff, and faculty on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status, and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law, known as “protected categories.” Brandeis also prohibits sexual violence against students, staff, and faculty, which includes sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence.