Description
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President in the Office of Community, Diversity & Equity, provide leadership for the development, implementation, and assessment of programs and policies that foster a people-centered, inclusive culture consistent with the University’s strategic vision. Develop and implement innovative strategies, programs, resources and services to enhance the University community’s understanding of culture and inclusion. Promote social and cultural education for the university community. Assume direct responsibility for operating the Multicultural Center and the development of the Center’s programs, policies and practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversee operations as well as education, social and cultural initiatives, of the Multicultural Center.
Develop long-range programs consistent with the mission of the university and the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity; this includes educational, advocacy and support initiatives related to diversity issues and concerns.
Promote and collaborate on initiatives affecting University students, faculty, and staff by supervising and coordinating multicultural education, workshops, and programs.
Responsible for fiscal management of departmental operating budget, including forecasting expenditures and revenues, maintaining records, and linking program objectives and assessment to the annual budget process.
Remain current with national standards, benchmarks, and best practices.
Train staff and student assistants to accomplish the Multicultural Center’s outcomes and goals as leaders and visible models of the URI community.
Hire, supervise and train staff and student assistants to accomplish the Multicultural Center’s outcomes and goals as leaders and visible models of the URI community. Ensure professional development opportunities for Multicultural Center staff.
Assist in providing educational opportunities for faculty, staff and students to remain current with the policies and procedures of the University.
Manage the advising of student organizations affiliated with the Center.
Assure that assessment and evaluation are embedded in all programs and events.
Serve on campus-wide committees to advance community, equity and diversity.
Participate in hiring and in policy and programmatic updates such as instructional design, community management, cultural audits, and strategic planning as needed
Provide holistic advice to support retention and to encourage social integration and outreach to the community.
Serve as a bridge to build positive advocacy and collaborative relationships with the local and URI communities.
Advise on a “walk-in” basis and communicate early alerts as needed for at-risk student populations.
Stay abreast of the latest developments in multicultural education and research. Participate in local, regional, national and international professional development opportunities.
Requirements
REQUIRED: Master’s degree in higher education administration or a related field; A minimum of five years of professional experience. A demonstrated knowledge of experience advising or working with diverse populations to support and retain them; Demonstrated experience developing, providing, and implementingtraining and education workshops; Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across constituencies and/or communities; Demonstrated ability to maintain complete, detailed, and accurate records; Demonstrated ability to gather and analyze data, and to draw relevant conclusions from the data; Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills; Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills; Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations; and Demonstrated computer experience.
PREFERRED: A master's degree in college student personnel, counseling, higher education, or a related field; Demonstrated management and strategic planning experience. Professional experience working with a diverse range of students, faculty and staff. Demonstrated knowledge of student development and of retention strategies and theories for diverse student groups.
The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.
