Assistant Director, Student Center for Social Justice and Identity
- Employer
- Vanderbilt University
- Location
- Nashville, Tennessee
View more categoriesView less categories
- Administrative Jobs
- Student Affairs, Student Activities & Services, Other Student Affairs Jobs
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Position Summary
The Assistant Director for the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity (SCSJI) in Student Affairs at Vanderbilt University is a key contributor to serving, advising, and supporting international, multicultural, and underrepresented students through the student engagement and leadership model and structures relevant to the office’s mission and the University’s strategic plan. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to: program planning and execution, departmental assessment planning, relationship building with campus and community partners, development of social justice/intercultural competence trainings for the Vanderbilt community, large-scale co-curricular education development, student organization advising education plan, departmental collaborations and committee work on issues of diversity and inclusion, and the completion of administrative tasks. Some evening and weekend hours are dependent upon SCSJI, Student Affairs, and student organizations’ activities and events.
About the Work Unit
SCSJI is an office within the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion area of the Student Affairs division. The mission of SCSJI is to promote an environment of cultural competency, inclusivity, and awareness within the student population on the Vanderbilt campus. Its vision is to provide comprehensive advising and training services to ensure inclusive and culturally engaged student leaders and organizations dedicated to all forms of racial, cultural, gender, religious, ability, and sexual identity expression. SCSJI seeks to do this by equipping the Vanderbilt student community with the tools necessary to be to effective agents of social change in an increasingly diverse world.
About Student Affairs at Vanderbilt
Student Affairs serves a central role in student learning and development at Vanderbilt, advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Student Affairs at Vanderbilt cultivates vibrant, inclusive communities that foster a student’s sense of belonging and wellbeing through collaborative partnerships, transformative learning experiences, and an accessible and holistic network of resources. We value connection, belonging, compassion, development, and innovation. Our staff are committed to continued growth in knowledge, awareness, skills, and experience engaging with these priorities in a higher education environment.
Key Functions and Expected Performance
The Assistant Director’s Key Functions and Expected Performance include, but are not limited to, the following:
Community & Curriculum Development
- Support the development of identity-centered programming for students.
- Maintain and enhance knowledge of current and historical statewide and national marginalized student movements and historical issues impacting marginalized student success.
- Provide specialized education for faculty, staff, and students on working with marginalized students.
- Co-develop and/or facilitate training programs for the Vanderbilt community that facilitate personal and organizational development around issues, including intercultural competence, social justice, social identities, liberation, and creating inclusive group environments.
- Utilize and enhance knowledge and skills working with multicultural/multiethnic populations, students that are historically under-represented, underprepared, low-income, and first-generation college students.
- Orient marginalized students to the culture of the institution and provide support services to help students achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
- Oversee the curation of culturally relevant educational and social programs to meet the needs and honor the experiences of international and multicultural students in student leadership and organizational contexts.
- Collaborate and lead the development of signature programming initiatives and planning for each academic year, including but not limited to social identity student support initiatives, student advocacy, multicultural wellness and mental health initiatives.
- Lead the coordination and implementation of the Center’s large-scale cultural programming. In the past, this has included but is not limited to: Cultural Heritage Months, Senior Week, Cultural Showcase Advising, and Graduation Recognition Celebrations.
Student Organizations
- Assist the Director in approvals for new SCSJI student organizations.
- Manage student organization transition documentation and advising pedagogy for SCSJI advisors.
- Assist international and multicultural students with organizing and planning major student organization events to ensure the successful execution of events that support and celebrate student experiences and adhere to university policies.
- Advise SCSJI student organizations using our advising pedagogy, creating more meaningful experiences for their members and leaders.
- Advise SCSJI student organizations on developing, maintaining, and conducting effective and culturally relevant assessment activities.
- Attend SCSJI student organization executive board meetings and general body meetings, as needed, to demonstrate support for student leaders.
- Support student organization initiatives concerning advocacy, inclusivity and diversity education to improve the experience for international and multicultural students.
- Inform students of changes to student organization policies and procedures that enable them to manage their organization more effectively.
- Assist with maintaining SCSJI and student organization records and documents on Anchor Link to support organizational continuity.
- Utilize budgeting skills to support successful financial management and use of Oracle by student leaders and organizations.
Administrative
- Establish and maintain strategic relationships with campus and community partners across campus to support the SCSJI mission, programming, and goals.
- Supervise one-two professional staff and/or supervise two graduate assistants by providing clear performance expectations, effective and ongoing feedback, regular and annual evaluations, and professional development opportunities.
- Manage the daily needs of the Multicultural Lounge and Multicultural Community Space (i.e. event reservations, storage, upkeep, cultural relevancy, etc.).
- Support the Director in developing and implementing an assessment plan, office review and annual reports for the Center.
- Develop pre- and post-assessments and reports for training and workshops.
- Review and work with the Director to approve all internal and external communication and marketing for SCSJI.
- Manage changes and updates to the office website as needed.
- Assist with financial oversight for the office, including full responsibility for the preparation and management of relevant budgets.
- Work collaboratively with Student Affairs’ partners to infuse inclusive programming throughout their operation.
- Represent Student Affairs and Vanderbilt University on university, community, and national committees and boards.
- Serve on divisional committees and working groups to enrich the experience and resources available to staff across the division.
- Participate in division-wide events as needed (Move-In Day, Rites of Spring, Diverse ‘Dores Day, MLK Day, etc.) to support colleagues and ensure these events run smoothly.
- Maintain an understanding of institutional and departmental financial policies related to travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting to ensure compliance and stewardship of university resources properly.
- Facilitate agreements and contracts for speakers, performers, and approved vendors in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate a willingness to support colleagues across the division to encourage implementing or fulfilling divisional goals and strategic priorities.
- Develop and support the Director in designing administrative processes to manage student organization needs and student and staff support.
- Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position supervises program coordinator(s) and/or graduate assistant(s). This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity (SCSJI).
Education and Certifications:
- A Bachelor’s Degree is necessary.
- A Master’s Degree is preferred.
Experience and Skills:
- At least two years of professionally relevant experience is necessary.
- At least four years of directly related experience is preferred.
- At least one year of supervision experience for full-time staff is preferred.
- Intercultural Development Inventory Certification is preferred.
- Experience with Restorative Practices is preferred.
- Experience and skills in diversity education, program development and implementation, student development, assessment, and evaluation are preferred.
- Experience with international student populations at U.S. colleges and universities is preferred.
- Experience with APIDA, Native American, Indigenous, Latinx, Black, Caribbean, and first-generation students at U.S. colleges and universities is preferred.
- Experience with curriculum development and leading culturally relevant training and workshops is preferred.
- Excellent decision-making and time-management skills are preferred.
- A strong interest in mentoring and developing students is preferred.
- Experience with public speaking, and communicating with students, faculty and staff is preferred.
- Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds attending a highly selective institution with a broad range of campus groups, departments and organizations is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal/human relations skills including ability to develop and cultivate professional relationships is preferred.
- Experience with event planning and event management skills are preferred.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
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