Diversity Statement:

Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.

Department: Student Life

Salary/Rate: $62,000 @ 1.0 FTE (this position may be subject to a 20% furlough)

FTE: 1.0

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director for Equity and Access (ADEA) is responsible for providing anti-racist, equity-minded leadership and vision for Student Life. Prioritizing the needs of SOU's diverse student body, the ADEA provides guidance and oversight for justice and social change related engagement, support, and outreach efforts. As the lead professional responsible for racial justice initiatives, equity, and access, the Assistant Director provides direct supervision for the professional Coordinators leading the efforts of the Social Justice and Equity Center (SJEC). The SJEC is comprised of a total of Coordinators (Racial Justice, Gender and Sexuality Justice, Sustainability and Basic Needs Resourcing, and Veterans and Military Family Resources) and their student staff members. This position oversees the design and implementation of advocacy and support for our students of color, historically underrepresented, minoritized, and under-resourced students (inclusive of all forms and intersections of identity, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ability, age, size, socio-economic status, Veteran status, etc.) with the support of these professional Coordinators and their student staff members.

The Assistant Director for Equity and Access collaborates with staff, faculty, and students across functional areas to deepen student engagement and belonging. The ADEA develops and oversees organizing efforts, identity development and sustainability initiatives, and mentoring programs to support students of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and multicultural student organizations. The ADEA develops, assesses, and shifts policies and practices that impact students to better meet the needs of our engaged student body.

Minimum Classification Qualifications:

●Master's Degree in student development, higher education, multicultural studies, social justice, social work, or related field.
●Three years of experience working with college or university students in a higher education setting.
●Three years of experience managing and supervising a diverse group of student affairs professionals, administrative staff, and/or student employees.
●Evidence of strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, cross-cultural communication skills, and co-curricular programming talents.
●Experience working with and understanding underrepresented student group development, ability to advise students from diverse backgrounds, and ability to relate effectively with students, faculty, administrators, staff, and the public, particularly around issues of privilege and oppression.
●Ability to be creative and innovative, demonstrate effective leadership skills, and self-motivation.
●Ability to work flexible hours.
●Demonstrate an ability to work with individuals who are different from themself and possess an authentic commitment to anti-racist practices and have knowledge of student activities and multicultural affairs promising practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

●Three years of experience with program development, policy development, and training that fosters leadership growth.
●Three years of experience in advising and administration within diversity education and sustainability education or related areas.
●Demonstrated knowledge and application on how to serve, engage, and support growing under-resourced populations.
●Experience teaching and/or conducting training on any of the following topics: anti-racism, equity, social justice, cultural competence, Title IX, equity grievance, sexual wellness, bias prevention or response, conflict resolution, gender, sexuality, and women's issues, Veterans and re-entry student advocacy and engagement.

All Listed Duties:

Oversight, Leadership, Assessment
Provides visionary leadership and strategic direction and management which includes: administrative management; staffing; policy and budget development; establishing short- and long-term goals and priority setting; evaluation and assessment of program goals and priorities; annual assessment and reporting; and oversees and maintains a training and professional development program for professional and student staff.
Representative to the campus community, the public, and the media.
Assists in the response to critical incidents impacting marginalized communities.
Responsible for formulating and administering policies and programs in assigned areas.
Accountable for formulating program policy; program budget; establishing and monitoring priorities, prepares cost estimates, budget recommendations, and guides progress toward goals.
Ensures Student Life programming and spaces focus on racial equity and cultural identity organizing and support.
Utilizes equity lenses and strategies to positively impact multicultural engagement.

Organizing and Programming
Provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for the Social Justice and Equity Center, Student Sustainability Resource Center, and Veterans Resource Center.
Leads staff in creating a wide range of special events, lectures, exhibits, and social programming designed to enhance the educational experience of SOU students.
Collaborates with campus partners to offer specialized multicultural programs and initiatives.
Supports and builds collaborative relationships among historically underrepresented, minoritized, and under-resourced students and fosters their inclusion in various areas of campus.
Creates leadership, organizing, and identity development programs suited for the development of skills from novice through master levels.
Develops and fosters partnerships with faculty, staff and campus partners. Develops working relationships with academic departments to promote leadership engagements for our students.

Supervision and Operations
Supervises professional staff and oversees functions and services of the Social Justice and Equity Center, Student Sustainability Resource Center, and Veterans Resource Center.
Monitors selection, supervision, training, and evaluation of professional and student staff members.
Determines long-range staffing requirements.
Plans, organizes, and directs others in their work.
Creates and ensures a supportive work environment that enables staff to effectively and efficiently perform their duties.
Mentors staff and provides growth and development opportunities.
Creates and enforces policies and procedures to guide staff in managing student employees.
Prioritizes Student Life and Center responsibilities and projects.
Addresses complaints and resolves problems.

Related Other Duties
Actively participates in committees and working groups related to equity, access, and belonging.
Leads and contributes to projects and initiatives related to diversity, anti-racism, equity, student engagement, and accessibility.
Participates in training and relevant professional development activities to support professional and departmental growth. Works to operationalize and integrate learning from these trainings into the division and work processes.
Is a change agent for racial equity and access. Strives to recognize inequities in the work and in oneself and commits to address them. Seeks out opportunities to take calculated risks in support of a more engaged and equitably-supported student community.

Special Instructions to Applicants: