Assistant Director of the ALANA Cultural Center

Department Statement

Colgate University, among the top liberal arts colleges in the country, seeks an energetic, motivated, and highly visible Assistant Director of the ALANA Cultural Center to serve as a trusted resource for students on campus.
It is an exciting time for the University as Colgate enters its third century. President Brian W. Casey is leading the campus through a comprehensive Third-Century Plan to raise the institution’s profile as a distinctive and strong undergraduate liberal arts institution to even-higher levels of achievement.
Having celebrated its Bicentennial in the academic year 2018–2019 and forging into its third century, Colgate has distinguished itself as one of the finest residential universities and has sought a special purpose among institutions of higher learning.

The Assistant Director of the ALANA Cultural Center collaborates closely with other professionals across the Dean of the College division to create an inclusive environment for students, including wellness, student leadership and involvement, fraternity and sorority advising, religious and spiritual life, and LGBTQ+ Initiatives.

Primary responsibilities include contributing to the development of a vibrant and caring environment where student activity, education, and cultural exploration can occur, with particular focus on race, ethnicity, and intersectionality. This Assistant Director is also responsible for guiding student-developed programs where differences and commonalities are shared and welcomed across a broad range of identities.

Accountabilities

Program Design, Implementation, and Execution

• Assist with and often take a lead role in the planning, implementation, and assessment of programming related to the strategic goals of the ALANA Cultural Center, the Dean of College Division, and the University’s Third Century Plan. In addition, the assistant director must be able to take direction and be self-directed in the development and modification of a co-curricular model of multicultural education.

• Design, facilitate, and teach the multicultural curriculum to diverse staff, students, student organizations leaders grounded in ALANA’s Mission and Visions to help students, faculty, and staff become advocates for multicultural awareness.

• Utilize assessment to measure student learning across a comprehensive set of programs and services offered through the ALANA Cultural Center.

• In conjunction with the director, facilitate educational trainings that promote social justice, cultural awareness and humility, and celebrate Colgate’s diverse student population.

• Assist in the development and implementation of a social justice certificate program.

Student Staff Supervision

• Supervise undergraduate staff members who work within the ALANA Cultural Center. This oversight includes but is not limited to, hiring staff, developing schedules, coordinating and prioritizing workload, evaluating work performance, and providing professional development to students.

• Assist the director in the hiring and supervision of a masters-level graduate intern.

• The Assistant Director oversees student staff annual training from set-up to scheduling and implementing sessions.

Student and Community Engagement

• Advise multicultural student organizations and develop the leadership of these organizational leaders through trainings, mentorship, and the development of formal advising structures.

• This may also include planning and executing formal leadership conferences, retreats, meetings, or other student development opportunities, with assistance and guidance from the director, intern, and other campus partners.

• Coach students in their social, leadership, academic, and identity development and encourage their holistic well-being, self-advocacy, and ability to utilize resources and support services.

• Identify opportunities for ally development, campus awareness and student advocacy, and commit to ongoing learning about issues related to multicultural issues and social justice development. In conjunction with the director, the assistant director will need to problem-solve and to harness and maximize these opportunities.

• Serve on cross-functional committees within the Dean of the College Division and broader Colgate campus, as needed.

Leadership
• Assist the director in budget management, reporting, communications, assessment, and other administrative tasks as needed.
• Possess high levels of professional acumen, judgment, and leadership and serve in a variety of capacities in the absence of the director.
• Serve in other capacities as needed.

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

• Experience working with culturally and ethnically diverse populations required.

• Demonstrated success in developing programs and services that promote student success and support for students of color and other underrepresented groups.

• An understanding of issues facing contemporary higher education, specifically around diversity, equity, and inclusion is required.

• Ability to apply student development, identity development, intersectionality, and/or social justice frameworks to all programs, trainings, interactions with the Colgate community and retreats.

• Demonstrated understanding and success in applying principles of fiscal responsibility and ethical behavior in the workplace, including a commitment to confidentiality.

• Demonstrated skills in project management, including data gathering and analysis, presentation skills, strategic project planning and project implementation.

• Team-oriented with excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills, and ability to effectively communicate.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff, campus faculty, community leaders, and community-based organizations in support of diversity programming across the university.

• Experience in supervising or advising students and/or other staff.

• Experience managing and promoting events, initiatives, and programs through social media outlets and other online platforms.

• Experience with various dialogue formats, such as intergroup dialogue, is desired.

Preferred Qualifications

Relevant experience in higher education strongly preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred, in higher education, student affairs, counseling, social work, ethnic studies, or related field. 2-3 years of full-time experience required.

Job Open Date 08/11/2020 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions Summary EEO Statement

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

For more information, click the "How to Apply" button.