Job Description
The principal focus of this job is to support the mission of Valparaiso University by creating a community of learning dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, to prepare students to lead and serve in both church and society. The most important aspect of this position is to support students and retain targeted sub- populations from underrepresented areas through the development, implementation, and assessment of culturally affirming programs and services. It is expected that the successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds.

The Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs will assist in developing and implementing systems and programs that assist underrepresented students in their social/cultural development process. The Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs will serve as a secondary resource and supervisor for the Administrative Assistant, and student staff. The Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs will have primary responsibility for the development and implementation of educational and cultural programming. The Assistant Director of Multicultural Programs will also supervise student staff and OMP student group structures while serving as a resource for students in regard to their academic, personal, and social needs.

Major Responsibilities:

Implement, direct, and maintain regular social programs, scholarship programs, and program evaluation & reporting for targeted student populations.
Assist the Director to develop and implement new programs to directly confront retention disparity
Implement and support programs, initiatives and activities to encourage underrepresented students to persist through graduation
Assist the Director to maintain and develop scholarship programs and requisite funding for their continuation
Create educational and cultural programs for the office including conversation series and speaker series
Evaluate current program offerings and continuously improve programs to better serve students
Assist the Director to serve as a resource for students to develop a healthy environment in regard to academic, personal, and social needs.
Serve as a resource for underrepresented students in regard to academic, personal, and social needs
Create and support orientation for incoming underrepresented students
Serve as an advisor to student groups and support faculty advisors for all student groups
Develop and implement student officer training with an intentional focus on identity development, leadership skill-building, and position-specific development
Facilitate individual student and leadership development for student group executive officers
Attend student meetings and events to support overarching group goals
Assist and serve as a chaperone for after-hour and weekend activities on and off-campus, including potential travel to student conferences
Guide the OMP and OMP student organizations in the effective process of the program proposal, execution, and evaluation
Create communication and outreach plan and monitor OMP communication and social media
Create a weekly OMP newsletter that includes relevant resources and events
Create a communication content calendar to ensure helpful information is sent out to target student groups throughout the semester
Create a social media content plan and oversee social media presence
Create flyers, brochures, posters, or any other material needed to promote OMP throughout campus
Assist the Director to establish and implement short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies and operating procedures.
Assist the Director to conduct administrative actions including, but not limited to, developing strategic plans, developing and monitoring budgets, hiring, performance appraisals, promotions, transfers and scheduling.
Assist the Director to explore and implement institutional research and relevant published works to develop multicultural competency and best practices for OMP and Valpo Community.
Assist the Director to act as a neutral party for conflict resolution between multiple students and assist in conflict resolution between students and faculty/staff.
Assist the Director to create and promote opportunities for professional staff to develop skills to better execute their responsibilities and advance their career goals.
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships university and community wide to advance the mission of the OMP and support a robust student experience for the targeted populations.
Assist the Director to advance the work delineated in the Action Agenda for Racial Equity and Inclusion
Assist the Director to develop and maintain strategic partnerships university and community-wide to advance the mission of the OMP and support a robust student experience for the targeted populations.
Assist the Director to develop the content to train students and staff on regards, inclusivity, microaggressions, bias, stereotypes, cultural relevancy, and other diversity issues facing organizations that affect the experience of students, faculty, and staff on campus.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to offer state of the art programming improving diversity, equity, and inclusion at Valparaiso University
Assist the Director to monitor and promote involvement in student activities and/or student group participation for underrepresented students.
Assist with preparation and coordination of FOCUS and Welcome Week events.
Act as a liaison for incoming first year students and help them transition from admissions to other offices on campus, especially academic advising.
Create a strong relationship with admissions counselors, academic advisors, financial aid advisors, and other key offices on campus relevant to first-year students
Act as a point person for incoming students and help answer questions and build relationships with other offices
Communicate with incoming students through phone calls, emails, Zoom, or texts
Supervise student staff and OMP group leaders
Oversee OMP student staff and ensure they have tasks/projects to complete
Hire, train, and schedule OMP student staff
 

Knowledge and Skills:

Bachelor's degree and 2 years of experience in related field
1-2 years of experience in developing and implementing student programming
Experience working with students of underrepresented groups in higher education
Experience working with student groups
Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends is required
Strong organizational and leadership skills
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
 

Preferred Skills:

Master's degree in higher education, counseling, or related fields
Experience developing and implementing multicultural training for students
Experience supervising student staff
 

Pay:

$44,000 annually

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds.

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, background checks will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

Valparaiso University requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or apply for and receive a qualified exemption within two weeks of the employment start date.

To be considered for this position you must upload:

Cover letter
Resume
List of 3 professional references
Answer all the application questions
 

Please address cover letter to:

Lezlie Ontiveros, Director of Multicultural Programs

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, IN  46383