Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

About UT Chattanooga

Located in southeast Tennessee, UT Chattanooga is a metropolitan campus in the heart of downtown Chattanooga and is home to more than 11,000 students representing all areas of the globe. Chattanooga is a city that’s both highly industrial and rich in natural beauty. Nicknamed the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is nestled at the foot of Lookout and Signal Mountains where the Tennessee River forms Moccasin Bend—attracting outdoor enthusiasts and researchers alike. The campus also attracts students with its experiential learning environment, made possible by a multitude of community and corporate partnerships. With four colleges, more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations and a campus-wide commitment to meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom, UT Chattanooga is a vibrant campus with endless opportunities.

At UTC, we boldly embrace a passion for excellence in all that we do as we change lives and transform communities. We prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow, collaborating with community partners, faculty, and staff to find real world solutions. Our focus is on what we do and on doing it well.

About the Opportunity

The Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement is a member of the Chancellor’s Executive Leadership Team and serves the University as its chief diversity and inclusion officer. This new position will lead and contribute in meaningful ways to promote and execute the diversity, inclusion and engagement goals of the University. The Vice Chancellor will have responsibility for leading diversity-related aspects of the university's strategic plan and collaborating across the university to ensure units develop and implement accountability measures. This includes establishing best practices and then promoting and executing them to recruit and retain diverse students, faculty, and staff; working with academic and non-academic units to increase the enrollment and retention of diverse undergraduate and graduate students; enhancing measures of student success and retention; ensuring the presence of programs that foster diversity of thought; and establishing systems of accountability throughout the University.

The Vice Chancellor will work to promote an environment that appreciates individual differences, values equal opportunity for all, encourages free speech and exchanges of ideas, and serves to eliminate barriers based on factors such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, intellectual thought or covered veteran status.

The Vice Chancellor will serve as a connector to develop relationships, partnerships and collaborations to engage UTC students, faculty and staff with diverse community-based organizations, events and work-related experiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Vice Chancellor will regularly collaborate with the Chancellor, the executive leadership team, and other campus leaders in these efforts. The Vice Chancellor will have direct oversight of the Office of Equity & Inclusion and the Coordinator of Engagement. In addition, the Vice Chancellor will serve as chief administrative liaison for the UTC Diversity Advisory Council, the Commission on the Status of Women and the Black Faculty and Staff Association.
Additionally, the Vice Chancellor will have responsibilities in the following areas:

Strategic Leadership

• Provides strategic leadership for The Office of Equity & Inclusion to accomplish compliance, equity, inclusion and programming and outreach goals
• Develops diversity, equity and inclusion goals along with developing metrics for measuring success
• Directs and coordinates an annual session to bring together diverse business with UTC leadership to discuss UTC’s approach to diversity and inclusion and to gain information on workplace application
• Forms strategic partnerships with campus and community leaders and stakeholders that will advance the diversity and inclusion goals of the university
• Identifies and coordinates opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to enhance their knowledge of diversity, multiculturalism, and cultural competence
• Counsels, advises, and provides leadership to students, faculty, staff and alumni on how best to embrace an inclusive and welcoming campus environment
• Directs diversity-related workshops and programs, collaborating to promote a climate of understanding for equity, diversity and inclusion
• Develops, implements, and evaluates strategic initiatives that strengthen the recruitment of a diverse student, faculty, and staff populations

Operational Excellence

• Collaborates and coordinates with departments and offices responsible for student recruitment and retention to develop and implement robust inclusion plans that invite, welcome, and continually support students from underserved populations
• Develops, implements, and oversees programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Understands and communicates the value of the educational benefits that stem from preparing students’ cultural competencies in a multicultural workforce, global economy and world

Community Outreach and Collaboration

• Fosters an appreciation of the unique characteristics, traits and skills of others by supporting cross cultural dialogue and interaction
• Facilitates effective partnerships with internal and external constituencies to achieve meaningful impact in the areas of diversity, inclusion and engagement
• Communicates effectively, to both internal and external audiences, to represent the university’s need for, and commitment to, a diverse student, faculty and staff population
• Engages in national associations and conferences related to the promotion of diversity and inclusivity related issues through attendance and participation
• Develops and maintains professional and interpersonal relationships with diverse population groups

Qualities and Qualifications

Education:
A master’s degree is required. A terminal degree is preferred.

Skills and Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in education, human resources, or a field of work directly responsible for diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement is required. Additional skills include the following:

• Demonstrated extensive, progressively responsible experience related to contemporary issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge and advocacy of diversity issues such as affirmative Action, Veterans programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, LGBTQ+ issues, and inclusion, particularly in higher education or similarly complex organizational structures
• Significant supervisory, budget management, and program implementation experience
• The ability to foster an appreciation of the unique characteristics, traits and skills of others by supporting cross cultural dialogue and interaction
• Knowledge regarding theory and practice of organizational diversity and inclusion, training, change management and social justice
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively navigate difficult conversations, listen well, resolve conflict, and build consensus

Compensation

Compensation for the position will be competitive. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/

Application and Nomination Process
The search committee will begin reviewing materials in late November and the position will remain open until filled. To apply, please submit a curriculum vita; letter of interest detailing specific talents and experience; and the name, address, and telephone number of five professional references electronically using the link below.
https://ut.taleo.net/careersection/ut_system/jobdetail.ftl?job=20000001A7 

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the OED office.