Inaugural Director for the University Title III Grant and Director for Campus Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (IDEAS)

Division of Student Affairs

Job Description 

Position Title: Inaugural Director for the University Title III Grant and Director for Campus Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (IDEAS)

Department: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Job Summary: 

The position is a full-time, in-person, 12-month and salaried position responsible for the administration, management, and accountability of an approved five-year Title III grant focused on student success and belonging; providing retention and support services to an assigned caseload of targeted undergraduate students; and providing coordinating leadership in the planning, execution, and evaluation of approved initiatives focused on improving inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging (IDEAS) across campus. Approximate percentages for work responsibilities are 50% for project administration and management; 25% for serving students; and 25% for IDEAS initiatives. The position requires occasional evening and weekend hours to support operations and performs additional responsibilities related to operational and mission-critical needs.

Essential responsibilities include:

1. Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sense of belonging (e.g., foster welcoming environment; participate in and ensure staff participation in appropriate training and professional development; ensure accessibility to services; promote inclusive excellence in programming and service delivery; report policy, legal, and regulatory violations; etc.).
2. Overseeing Title III project (e.g., assist with recruiting and hiring Title III staff, direct activities, conduct assessments, complete annual and other required reports, coordinate communications, develop and maintain Title III Policies and Procedures Manual, track achievement of goals and objectives, oversee budget, and ensure compliance with University and U.S. Department of Education rules and regulations).
3. Advocating for, communicating on behalf of, publicizing and representing the project with university leaders, within the university community, and externally among the local town and the national higher education community.
4. Providing student success coaching to a caseload of undergraduates in need of services due to risk factors for early attrition and/or noncompletion.
5. Partnering with university staff, particularly the EVP/Chief Strategy Officer, VP for Student Affairs, Dean of Student Success, Institutional Research Director, Provost’s Office, Director of IT, Director of Grants, Controller, and others as appropriate.
6. Liaising with External Evaluator by gathering and transferring data and using results to aid in continuous Project improvement.
7. Liaising and collaborating with the University Committee on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (C-IDEAS) (e.g., propose, coordinate, implement, and/or evaluate approved university initiatives focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and sense of belonging initiatives that impact all members of the university community but especially students.
8. Serving on and assisting with the university’s Bias Incident Reporting Team. 

Other responsibilities include, for example:

1. Attending and serving as a leader in appropriate professional associations to enhance skills, bring and share knowledge related to the position, and improve visibility and influence of Millikin University (e.g., ACPA, NASPA; etc.). 
2. Serving on appropriate university or community committees, councils, and boards as recommended by the supervisor or University President. 

Qualifications:

Minimum Education and Experience 

Bachelor’s degree.

Desirable Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in education, management, human resources, and/or social services.
2. Master’s degree in project management, higher education administration, counseling, college student personnel, interpersonal relations, education, or related field.
3. Personal experience overcoming barriers similar to those evidenced in the population to be served by this Project.
4. Significant similar experience leading and implementing multifaceted projects, training programs or initiatives, particularly within an educational setting.
5. 5+ years of experience in student counseling or coaching, student academic support programs.
6. Related experiences in a college or university setting.
7. Experience hiring and/or supervising staff at any professional level.
8. Experience facilitating, teaching, and/or developing educational or training programs.
9. Experience in student learning assessment or program evaluation.
10. Experience developing and managing budgets.
11. Experience using software or database platforms related to the position.
12. Experience in risk management practices.

Required Skills and Abilities: 

Skills

1. Communication skills: Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
2. Self-management skills: ability to manage time effectively, learn and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
3. Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc.
4. Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.
5. Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations. 
6. Computational skills: ability to perform basic mathematical computations to assist with financial operations and/or data collection, analysis, and reporting.
7. Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook Calendaring, Office 365.

Abilities

1. Ability to adhere to work attendance requirements.
2. Ability to model self-care and well-being for colleagues and, most importantly, students.
3. Ability to manage emotions, function effectively, and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations.
4. Ability to work on multiple projects, services, activities, and deadlines in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
5. Ability to promote and achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion of multi-racial/ethnic, low-income, LGBTQ+, veteran, non-traditional, online, disability, first-generation, and others.
6. Ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, and a self-starter.
7. Ability to work in teams, independently, and under limited supervision. 
8. Ability to make reasoned decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues. 
9. Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need.
10. Ability to comply with university vehicle-use requirements (some driving may be necessary for some positions, including transporting students and staff to approved events).

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Preparatory knowledge: coursework, military, or work-based knowledge of, for example, facilities management, student center operations, student development theories, learning theories, organizational theories, risk management.
2. Software/database systems: Ability to use software/databases related to duties.
3. Student knowledge: knowledge of generational college students (e.g., Millennials, GEN Z) and the ability to design generation- and audience-specific programs, events, and services.
4. Accountability: experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies to assessing student learning outcomes and/or evaluating programs and services.
5. Multimedia experience: ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and develop and manage social media accounts.
6. Reporting experience: experience with program databases or software programs used to track, monitor, and report services to students.
7. Ability to plan and execute programs and services based on social justice, cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, and civility.
8. Regulatory knowledge: FERPA.

Examples of Measures of Success: 

1. Participation rates in programs, services, experiences, and opportunities.
2. Retention rates of students receiving services and participating in experiences.
3. Student satisfaction rates.
4. Graduation rates of students receiving services and participating in experiences.
5. Attainment of Student and Staff Learning Outcomes.
6. Professional development experiences.

Work Environment: 

The Division of Student Affairs at Millikin University is devoted to student success from enrollment to commencement. We are dynamic, agile, and culturally-responsive. We guide, support, and, on occasion, challenge students as they develop, refine, and pursue their academic, career, and personal endeavors. All staff are responsible for creating a safe, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful, and caring environment for students, colleagues, and visitors. We seek skilled and diverse colleagues who are student-focused, flexible, self-motivated, and will embrace and respect who we are and what we do. We also seek colleagues committed to moving the Division forward towards prominence and influence on campus, nationally, and within the Student Affairs profession. 

Before applying, we encourage interested individuals to spend time learning more about who we are, our values, and what we do: https://www.millikin.edu/about/administration/student-affairs.

Manual Dexterity: 

• Dexterity to operate a keyboard 

Physical Effort: 

• Occasionally sitting at a desk or table
• Occasional lifting 25 lbs. or less
• Intermittently sitting/standing; hearing and visual acuity within normal range
• Ability to stoop, kneel, and crouch occasionally
• High degree of mobility required. 

Working Conditions: 

• Typical working conditions found in most administrative work areas

Alternative or flexible work schedules. 

 Hazards: None