Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Racial Justice

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Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Racial Justice

The George Mason University, Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment invites applications for Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Racial Justice within the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Center: The Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment leverages programs and services focused on advocacy and direct student support to strengthen equity and inclusion at George Mason University. Our services foster opportunities for identity development, cross-cultural engagement, and inclusive learning communities, affirming the indivisible aspects of all our identities. Our three areas: Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, Student Engagement for Racial Justice (SERJ), and Coalition Building and Diversity Education (CBDE), serve as resources to those in the Mason Community who seek to meaningfully engage and interact with people with different identities and intersections to co-create an equitable campus environment.

About the Position: The Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Racial Justice is responsible for the management of student-focused programs and initiatives that have a specific charge toward racial and ethnic development, affirmation, and support. The Assistant Director positions work collaboratively and cross-functionally to achieve the goals of the unit and report to the Associate Director for Student Engagement for Racial Justice.

The Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Racial Justice is also expected to maintain active in the engagement of students on campus relevant to the below constituency groups and includes but is not limited to benchmarking, identifying trends in literature, and advocacy as relevant and appropriate to specific racial and ethnic constituency groups to aid in their wellbeing and success.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver individual coaching and mentorship to communities of color to foster wellbeing and racial identity development;
• Support identity-based Registered Student Organizations within the below student populations:

• Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Student Communities;
• Native American and Indigenous (NIA) Student Communities;
• Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Student Communities;

• Provide support that develops community, cultivates opportunities for identity exploration, and values the consciousness of students of color. This includes workshops, dialogues, retreats, and as appropriate, referrals to specific student services (e.g., Career Center, Counseling Center, Student Involvement);
• Develop initiatives centering race and ethnicity that enhance student leadership skills and increase students’ capacity for critical thinking about identity, power, and privilege;
• Oversee the development and implementation of a programming portfolio that includes cultural heritage month events, affinity graduation ceremonies, signature events (e.g., Mason Night Market, Bienvenida Latina, the Source, etc.), and various ad hoc events to meet students’ needs;
• Develop annual program outcomes, evaluations, and reporting for programming portfolio, including remaining informed on relevant national, local, and campus-wide trends and needs for identified student populations;
• Organize workstreams with the creation of transparent systems and streamlined processes to track all initiatives and their impact on students, faculty, and staff;
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise student ambassadors and graduate assistants. Provide leadership and guidance to student staff that encourages growth and supports their holistic wellbeing. This includes facilitating leadership development, team-building activities, and supporting the creation and execution of student-led initiatives;
• Initiate strategic partnerships with key faculty and staff to create curricular and co-curricular collaborations that result in a more equitable campus environment;
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, partner, mentor, and lead faculty and staff to conduct unit-specific policy analysis and develop equity-based policy solutions that enhance institutional equity and promote the liberation of racially underrepresented communities; and
• Manage the program budgets for above portfolio and student staffing, including purchasing programming supplies, monitoring work hours for student staff, as well as responsible management of funds. Included in budget management is seeking opportunities for external funding outside of the department from University Life, George Mason University opportunities, as well as those beyond the institution to expand and support work as relevant and approved by supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education, or related field – completed by the first day of work listed on the offer letter; or equivalent combination of education and experience; and
• Experience working with a diverse body of students, staff, and faculty, specifically those from Asian American Pacific Islander, Native American and Indigenous, Black and African, Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA), and Hispanic/Latina/o/x Communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of experience with Diversity, Equity, Justice and Inclusion initiatives and programs;
• Ability and desire to serve as a strong advocate and coalition builder, particularly with a range of diverse communities including students, faculty, and external vendors;
• Experience using and developing program and learning outcomes;
• Experience with assessment, including knowledge of the assessment cycle and development and evaluation of outcomes; and
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppressive advocacy. A reflective professional with the disposition to think abstractly about lived experiences, to reflect on one’s identity, approach, and practice, and recognize the impact power and privilege can have on one’s perspectives and actions.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For Full Consideration, Apply by: 05/30/2022, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/53859 ; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.