Working/Functional Title

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assistant Director

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is committed to creating an environment in which every member of our community is seen, heard, and valued. Diversity, equity, and inclusion work is essential to that endeavor and is centric to CVM values. 

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Assistant Director serves as the administrator for the DEI within the Office of Admissions, Student Life, and Inclusivity (ASI). This academic staff member will have primary responsibilities for management and supervision of the DEI staff and activities related to creation of newsletter, social media accounts, website development, CVMDiversity emails, agendas for DEI committee, meetings, and day-to-day oversight of budgets (ESP Endowment, Grants, and DEI budget). The duties include, but are not limited to:

• Strategically lead DEI work at CVM 
• Work with the Leadership Team to execute and expand CVM’s DEI strategic goals (SG) for the near and long term and maintain metrics for DEI SG
• In partnership with the associate dean, curriculum chair, and associate deans for academic affairs intentionally examine the curriculum and infuse DEI principles. In addition, review academic policies to align with a congruent cultural competent educational environment and identify areas where antiracist and anti-oppression teaching can be incorporated
• Serve on the Admission Team and partner with Leadership Team to recruit students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups 
• Implement on-going DEI educational programs for current students, faculty, and staff
• Work with directors and chairs to expand the DEI on-boarding program for new students, faculty and staff
• Facilitate affinity groups and programming for students, faculty, and staff
• Work with the Admission Team, Academic Associate Deans, Mentors, and Advisors to design and implement a program that supports students from underrepresented backgrounds transitioning into the veterinary nursing and veterinary medical programs. 
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to create more inclusive materials for both internal and external audiences
• Support leading DEI Committee composed of faculty, staff, and students, which meets monthly
• Organize and implement annual retreat of the DEI Committee
• Support students, faculty and staff to celebrate monthly recognitions of minoritized groups such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, etc. by implementing  DEI educational activities for all at the CVM
• Primary lead with health colleges for organizing and collaborating with Dr. M. L. King’s yearly celebration at MSU CVM 
• Report to grant agency (ies) quarterly and act as the lead for reporting to external and internal stakeholders
• Enhance, lead, and implement CVM Enrichment Summer program (ESP), which includes marketing of the program, selection of applicants, designing simulated DVM curriculum, and maintaining all activities for ESP in preparation for the program November through June during implementation of the ESP program in June. Keeping track of impact and reporting is a critical component of ESP
• Support programming and strategic initiatives for recruitment activities of diverse faculty, students and staff
• Collect data on ESP graduates to measure impact and to organize an alumni database to enhance communications with ESP graduates
• In collaboration with the MSU DEI Office, DEI Committee, and associate dean, will provide support to develop and to provide culturally responsive training for DEI; and based on knowledge of the DEI literature, actively research new and best practices in the DEI arena
• Serve as the office manager for inclusivity - General tasks include, but are not limited to management of office communications, including various newsletter entries and eventually an alumni-wide DEI newsletter; social media accounts; website development; and office agendas for ODI governance committee meetings. In addition, this person provides day-to-day oversight of DEI budgets (e.g. oversee the processing of financial expenditures, monitor and project expenditures)
• Coordinate meeting and activities related to DEI for CVM that includes students, faculty, and staff. Activities include, but are not limited to, collecting and documenting bias incidents that are reported to TRUST; assist in directing all parties to appropriate resources and/or proper reporting channels; and help coordinate a campus response to bias incidents
• As a representative of DEI, this individual will partner with the community, CVM, student affairs, faculty affairs and human resources to support CVM climate initiatives and recruitment and retention efforts (activities, programming, etc.)
• Perform all other related duties/tasks as needed
• The Assistant Director will be a leading voice in advancing equity in all aspects of CVM life and will be integral to creating a more inclusive community that fosters a sense of belonging.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Bachelors -Higher Education, Business or Related Field

Desired Degree

Masters -Higher Education/Multiculural Education

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree commensurate with work in secondary and/or multicultural education with a minimum of three years of directly related experience to include conducting diversity, equity, and inclusion/multicultural education.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred from an accredited college or university
• Passion for DEI work and a vision for implementation in an educational setting
• Sensitivity and diplomacy in working with groups to advance cultural and racial literacy 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, often ambiguous environment
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, MS excel, and other computer software/databases
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact and discretion in conversation and interaction
• Knowledge and expertise regarding best practices in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion arena
• Detail-oriented with strong professionalism, organizational, prioritization, presentation, office management and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; act independently within scope of responsibilities; and keep appropriate parties informed of status
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions as well as establish and maintain effective working relationship with other employees, faculty and staff
• Extensive working knowledge of the organizational structure of MSU and CVM and the roles and responsibilities associated with the various colleges, schools and support units

Required Application Materials

Resume or CV

Letter of Interest

Listing of References, which includes the name and contact information for three professional references

Review of Applications Begins On

12/15/2020

Website

cvm.msu.edu

Department Statement

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine is the trusted leader in animal health, delivering unparalleled solutions to serve an ever-evolving world. The core values of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine are:

• Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and attitudes.
• Compassion - We act with kindness, sensitivity, and professionalism. We accept and respect each other and the animals under our care.
• Diversity - We act purposefully to attract and retain talented students, faculty, and staff who reflect the diversity of the populations we serve. Our environment supports and nurtures all people as respected individuals.
• Excellence - We lead the way in discoveries that will improve the health and wellbeing of the animals and public we serve through state-of-the-art technology and first-class educational experiences and services.
• Innovation - We support and encourage new ideas, even when those ideas dispel tradition.
• Integrity - We promote trustworthy, honest, respectful, reliable, and ethical behavior.
• Teamwork - We work in unity to bolster our knowledge, skills, and resources to advance our mission.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.