Associate Dean Of Students, Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion

Position Summary:

The Associate Dean of Students for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion reports to and supports the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students in advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. The Associate Dean leads the division’s strategic approach as well as all operational and programmatic efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion for students. The Associate Dean provides strategic leadership for the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity, Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, MargaretCuninggim Women’s Center,KC Potter Center for LGBTQI Life, and the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, and works in close collaboration with all other Student Affairs departments. The Associate Dean is also a key liaison to numerous campus partners, including, but not limited to, the Office of Undergraduate Education, graduate and professional schools, Faculty Affairs, Human Resources, and more to ensure strategic alignment, collaboration, and support for the campus community.

About Students Affairs:

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 engagingwith these priorities in a higher education environment.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Advise Student Affairsoffices and campus partners on cultivating inclusivecommunities for students.
• Serve on divisional committees and working groupsto enrich the experience and resources available to staff across the division.
• Work collaboratively with academic officesand faculty to promote the academic missionof the University.
• Maintain an understanding of institutional and departmental financial policies related to areas such as travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting to ensure compliance and proper stewardship of university resources.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, and others regarding equity, diversity, and inclusionto address concernsand resolve issueswhile maintaining privacyregarding sensitive information.
• Demonstrate a willingness to support colleagues across the divisionin order to encourage the implementation or fulfillment of divisional goals and strategic priorities.
• Develop a strategic plan for equity, diversity, and inclusion for students that encompasses the development of or enhancements to education, training,campus culture, community-building, and policy.
• Develop, implement, and collaborate with key campus partners (including, but not limited to, academic associate deans, StudentCare Network, ProjectSafe, Student Engagement and Leadership, Residential Colleges, Public Safety, Faculty Affairs, Human Resources, and other teams working on equity, diversity, and inclusion) on high-level events, programs, and initiatives relevant to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making in support of assessment effortsto guide continuous programmatic improvements.
• Lead education and training effortsfor students and student organizations in the areas of intercultural competency, social justice, dialogue and discourse, and advocacy (including protest and demonstration under the freedom of expression policy).
• Sustain a high levelof direct involvement with students and student leaders,particularly around efforts, concerns, and initiatives related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Collaborate with other StudentAffairs leaders and campus partnersto respond and provide support to students following bias incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Advise the Vice Provostfor Student Affairsand Dean of Students and other campuspartners on matters concerning equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Participate in divisionwide events as needed to support colleagues and ensure these events run smoothly.
• Support and partner with cultural, multicultural, and identity-based studentorganizations in their initiatives and programming.
• Represent the Vice Provost for Student Affairsand Dean of Students on university-wide committees and working groups and at a variety of campus activities.
• Effectively supervise and motivate staff with varyingassignments and ensuretheir compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Lead a new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion area within the division and oversee the personnel, budgets, and operations of the StudentCenter for SocialJustice and Identity, Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, KC Potter Center for LGBTQI Life, and the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life.
• Attend regularmeetings with Public Safety.
• Advance the missions, values, and strategic priorities of the University and Student Affairs through initiatives that emphasize care and wellbeing support, mentorship, belonging, and community engagement for students and maximizing staff capacity throughstreamlined operations, engagement, and communication.
• Serve as a senior leader in StudentAffairs with primaryresponsibility for the strategic approachas well as all operational and programmatic efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion for students.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position supervises the Directors of the Student Center for Social Justice and Identity, Bishop Joseph Johnson Black CulturalCenter, Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, KC Potter Center for LGBTQILife, and the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life,and several administrative positions. This positionreports administratively and functionally to the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

Education and Certifications:

• A Master’sdegree from an accredited institution of higher educationis necessary.
• A Terminaldegree from an accredited institution of higher educationis preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Eight to ten yearsof operational and/orprogrammatic experience in a higher education settingwith demonstrated competence in leadership and administration, Student Affairs theory and practice, policy development and budget management are necessary.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds attending highly selective institutions with a broad range of campus groups,departments, and organizations is preferred.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures involvedin risk assessment in a university setting is preferred.
• Advanced knowledgeof equity, diversity, and inclusion theories,principles, and practices, advising and/or counseling techniques, and student support services is preferred.
• Working knowledgeof applicable laws and regulations related to housingand student records, including, for example, FERPA, Title IX, Clery Act, etc., is 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, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

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.