Associate Director for Intercultural Relations
Position Description:
The Associate Director for Intercultural Relations is a full-time, 12 month position, which reports to the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Intercultural Relations.
The Associate Director will assist in the creation and execution of programming, education, training, events, services, communications for the Office of Intercultural Relations. The Associate Director will help develop and implement proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives which will support the College’s mission and contribute to the outreach, recruitment, retention, and overall success of marginalized identities represented within the Lake Forest College community.
The Associate Director will also engage faculty, staff and students to build a welcoming and inclusive culture at Lake Forest College. The Associate Director will create training initiatives on cultural competency, gender identity, disability, sexuality, race/ethnicity, religion, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values.
The individual in this position needs to be knowledgeable on diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice and anti-racism issues impacting higher education and marginalized communities more broadly. A successful candidate for the position should be able to collaborate, partner and communicate well with various stakeholders on campus, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Associate Director will:
- Deliver social justice trainings to student groups as well as faculty, staff and other campus partners.
- Design, plan, implement, and assess diversity and inclusion programs and events for the Office of Intercultural Relations and at strategic level through strong partnerships across campus with faculty, staff and students.
- Support student success initiatives and provide individual support for students with marginalized identities including but not limited to Black, Indigenous and People of Color, first generation college students, LGBTQ students, undocumented students, and international students.
- Plan and implement the First Connection Pre-Orientation Program and the Forester First program for first generation students.
- Assist in conducting assessment and evaluation of Office of Intercultural Relations programs, initiatives and services.
- Assist faculty and staff in creating dynamic, comprehensive, and multimodal education and training programs for the College’s Diversity and Inclusion summit.
- Sit on the Intercultural Advisory Group.
- Design and teach Office of Intercultural Relations academic courses addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Benchmark, create and maintain knowledge resources for DEI training and educational activities
- Assess and address campus climate improvement needs and develop related in-person and online instructional modules, facilitator trainings, and other curricula in collaboration with the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Intercultural Relations.
- Implement strategic education and outreach with university partners and community stakeholders.
- Identify and examine issues and trends affecting campus climate; make recommendations for educational programming and initiatives.
- Assist and perform other duties as needed.
Qualifications
- A Master’s degree is required from an accredited institution in higher education, student affairs, or field related to education, diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice.
- Four years of post-graduate professional working experience, preferably within the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
- Knowledge of student development theory, critical race theory, feminist, queer and transnationalism theory.
- Experience leading and managing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, preferably in a college or university setting.
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of social justice, equity and inclusion.
- Experience developing and conducting on-going diversity and inclusion training programs.
- Strong facilitation skills.
- Knowledgeable with SEVIS and/or trained as a Designated School Official for international student immigration services is beneficial.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must possess an awareness of the concerns, pressures, and inequities of first-generation students, Black, Indigenous and People of Color, first generation college students, LGBTQ students, undocumented students, and international students in higher education and other marginalized communities.
- Ability to advocate for the above-mentioned populations and ensure that services, programs and policies are rooted in inclusive and equitable practices.
- Experience planning and implementing campus programs and events related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
- Demonstrated competence in engaging and facilitating dialogue on identity and social justice issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to present, and facilitate to large groups of students, faculty, staff and parents.
- Ability to work routine evening and weekend hours is required for this position.
- It is preferred that candidates have or are able to obtain a valid driver’s license.
- The individual must know how to work and solve problems proactively and independently within a fast-paced environment.
- The individual must have an understanding of the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in an educational environment with a desire to work with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds and varying social identities to advance the culture of inclusion.
- They must possess leadership skills with the ability to work independently and as a member of the team, providing updates and collaborating with colleagues to successfully implement a number of initiatives.
- They must communicate professionally and efficiently within a fast-paced environment.
- The individual must be proficient in all standard computer applications, including Microsoft 365 products, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook. General knowledge of office principles and procedures is required. Familiarity with Social Media platforms is required.
- The individual must be highly proficient in education, training, program and event planning and supporting administrative functions including business correspondence, scheduling, travel arrangements, budget and financial processes, and fielding telephone calls and e-mail.
- Must convey a highly professional demeanor, be a team player, and have exceptional organizational and communication skills. The individual must provide high-level service to diverse group of constituents and must have the ability to handle a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects/tasks arising from multiple projects leads with varied deadlines in accordance with goals, best practices and policies.
- Must be poised with strong customer-service skills, possess ability to navigate delicate situations diplomatically, and be able to work independently under limited supervision.
- Contemporary knowledge of current events, political contexts, and national issues affecting college students and campus life.
Application:
Please send a resume and cover letter via email to Cindy Orr at orr@lakeforest.edu. The anticipated start date is January 3, 2022.
Lake Forest College embraces diversity and encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.