Assistant Director for Diversity, Education & Advocacy

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR DIVERSITY, EDUCATION & ADVOCACY

Bridgewater College welcomes candidates to apply for the position of the Assistant Director of Diversity, Education, and Advocacy. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic and passionate about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. The Assistant Director will support campus initiatives that foster diversity and inclusion in service to Bridgewater College’s (BC) goals for an equitable environment. This position will be responsible for student programs, will co-advise various student identity clubs and organizations, and work closely with other initiatives that retain students, especially those who identify with traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.

.RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise and coordinate the Eagle Success Peer Mentoring program, including oversight of peer mentor leaders and development of comprehensive training. Additionally, the Assistant Director will co-manage the budget for the mentoring program along with the Associate Dean of DEI.
• Under the supervision of the Associate Dean of DEI, the Assistant Director shall create, develop and administer cultural awareness, identity exploration and social justice programs. This includes administering the Safe Zone program for LGBT education.
• Provide support and guidance in an advocacy role for student organizations affiliated with the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Advocacy (IDEA) Center in partnership with the primary advisors.
• Collaborate with student life colleagues and campus partners to identify creative strategies to support students from traditionally underrepresented populations.
• Assist with marketing and outreach efforts for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Advocacy (IDEA) Center.
• Support and enhance the campus climate for students across identity understandings under the supervision of the Associate Dean of DEI.
• Under the supervision of the Associate Dean of DEI examine climate studies, demographic data, policy analyses, and other data to develop, support, advocate for and assess social justice and inclusion initiatives.
• Evaluate programs to provide ongoing and annual feedback based on outcomes from data under the leadership of the Associate Dean of DEI.
• Work with the Associate Dean of DEI to provide intercultural interventions, mediation and support services to students.
• Conduct useful benchmarks and other research to learn best practices and to develop ideas to enhance current initiatives in collaboration with the student life team. The outcomes will serve as data points and recommendations to the Associate Dean of DEI in an effort to continuously assess and improve programs and services.
• Serve as an advocate for traditionally underrepresented and first-generation students ensuring that they connect with appropriate campus resources.
• Maintain healthy communication with the Associate Dean of DEI to provide weekly updates about pertinent information in regard to Eagle Success, Safe Zone and other initiatives that impact the department and students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in sociology, education, psychology or related field is required.
• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, adult education, sociology, business or related is preferred.
• Program planning for small and medium events.
• Ability to collaborate and work as a team.
• Demonstrated success working with a culturally diverse community of students and staff, including traditionally underrepresented and international student populations.
• Proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism within a complex organization.
• Experience with coordinating a peer mentoring programs, especially managing training efforts.
• Sense of diplomacy, sensitivity and objectivity.
• Above average interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated judgment, analysis and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to cross organizational and cultural boundaries with ease, adapting language and style to the context both in person and at a distance.
• Experience working effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Pay is competitive, and salary is commensurate with experience. This full-time position offers a full benefits package, including paid tuition at the College for eligible dependents. 

GENERAL INFORMATION: Bridgewater offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 60 majors and minors, along with pre-professional programs such as medicine and law, dual degree programs and teacher certification. The College is a member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, with 23 intercollegiate athletic teams. The vibrant 300-acre residential campus is located in the town of Bridgewater, Virginia, near the city of Harrisonburg in the center of the Shenandoah Valley. An excellent school system, healthy business environment, numerous arts and cultural events, the state's lowest crime rate, and a variety of outdoor opportunities and historic attractions draw many to the region.

APPLICATION: Please complete the online application at www.bridgewater.edu/careers and attach a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and phone) for three references.

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

Bridgewater College, an equal opportunity provider and employer, is a welcoming and vibrant community committed to supporting a diverse workforce and actively seeks applications from women, minorities, and other persons from traditionally underrepresented groups. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation or any characteristic protected by law.

The Bridgewater College Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report summarizes policies on campus security and personal safety, crime prevention, fire safety, and crime reporting, and includes crime and fire statistics for the past three years. The reports are available at https://bridgewater.box.com/s/4ma6tlh30y8cat9un192ugo3dm6n29y9

To request a printed copy, please call 540-828-5761