Director of Intercultural Relations
Lake Forest College invites applications for the position of Director of Intercultural Relations. The successful candidate will lead the Office of Intercultural Relations (“OIR”) in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) in our vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff.
The Director will lead the OIR and its many campus partners in promoting dialogue, understanding, and respect among the many identities represented within the Lake Forest College community. The Director also leads campus efforts to foster student success for historically underrepresented and/or marginalized students (students of color, first-generation students, LGBTQ+ students, undocumented students, and students of diverse religious identities) and is a key resource, advocate, and referral for international students. The Director reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, and supervises an Associate Director, Assistant Director, and Program Coordinator in Intercultural Relations.
OIR was established and is housed in Student Affairs, and the OIR team is primarily student-facing. Importantly, however, the Director collaborates with key partners across campus to foster a more equitable and socially just College. The College recently appointed a campus-wide DEI planning group that has submitted important recommendations for active consideration by President-elect Dr. Jill Baren, who will take office this summer. The recommendations include key DEI staffing additions, process improvements, and the potential for organizational change. The ideal candidate will embrace working with College leaders, campus partners, and OIR staff in the review and analysis of these recommendations, and will facilitate efforts to strengthen OIR’s mission and DEI across campus.
A highly selective liberal arts college located north of Chicago, Lake Forest College enrolls more than 1,650 students from nearly every state and more than 80 countries. The College is a culturally diverse community with approximately 50% of our student body identifying as U.S. students of color or international students. In addition, we have a large number of first generation college students (30%) and Pell-eligible students (30%), a visible LGBTQ student community, and numerous active religious student communities.
Responsibilities:
- Provide vision for all programs and initiatives in the department. Directly lead major campus events and speakers, and supervise the Intercultural Relations staff in all other programming, which includes, but is not limited to:
- Major campus events and speakers (MLK Jr. Day; Diversity and Inclusion Summit) and signature events (‘Soup and Stories;’ heritage month programs; religious and cultural programs)
- Student success initiatives (First Connection pre-orientation program; Forester First for first-generation students; empowerment groups)
- Intercultural House (programming and meeting space)
- Select, train, supervise, and develop the staff in the Office of Intercultural Relations.
- Oversee the departmental budget.
- Provide skilled support and advocacy for traditionally underrepresented (students of color, first-generation students, LGBTQ+ students, undocumented students, and students of diverse religious identities) and international students. Work closely with campus partners to create an inclusive campus that retains students and encourages student success.
- Understand the practices of F-1 international students studying in the U.S. (training and professional development are available). Supervise the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), and serve as a back-up DSO for all SEVIS and federal government responsibilities for F-1 visa students, e.g. CPT, OPT.
- Oversee the College’s bias response processes, including a process for student claims of faculty bias, and a process for other person-to-person claims. Partner with the Dean of Faculty, Director of Human Resources, and Dean of Students as outlined in the bias processes.
- Collaborate with student organizations, staff in campus departments, and faculty to support, develop, and implement programming designed to reflect the three pillars of the office mission: celebrate cultural diversity, provide intercultural education, and advocate for students.
- Co-chair with a faculty partner the Intercultural Advisory Group (IAG) of faculty, staff, and students that reviews and attends to various diversity, equity, and inclusion issues on campus.
- Maintain a robust College web page that archives a variety of important resources and information.
- Along with other department heads in Student Affairs, serve as a Dean on Call for campus crises (serving as a back-up for Residence Directors once every five weeks).
- Serve on other College committees, as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field.
- Five years of full-time experience in a relevant area.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Experience with small, residential, liberal arts colleges is preferred.
- Thorough knowledge of diversity and inclusion issues as they pertain to historically underrepresented and/or marginalized college students.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating diversity training and fostering intergroup dialogue.
- Strong interpersonal communication, public speaking, and professional writing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to provide skilled supervision of professional staff and departmental budgets.
- Strong computer skills and an ability to use technology to enhance programs, services, and assessment efforts.
- Ability to serve as a Designated School Official for international student immigration advising.
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
- A valid driver’s license.
Lake Forest College embraces diversity and encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references should be submitted electronically to Cindy Orr, Executive Assistant for Student Affairs, at orr@lakeforest.edu.