Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Harper College seeks confidential nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (VP of DEI). The next VP of DEI will be an experienced, visionary, and collaborative leader who has a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion and possesses the knowledge and skills required to lead the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to high levels of excellence.

A public comprehensive community college, Harper serves more than 35,000 students annually in Chicago's northwest suburbs and is one of the nation's premier community colleges. The majority of Harper's activities take place on the 200-acre campus in Palatine, Illinois. The College also has two extension sites, the Learning and Career Center in Prospect Heights, the Harper Professional Center in Schaumburg; partners with Elgin Community College at the Education and Workforce Center in Hanover Park; and offers onsite classes at individual company locations on a contracted basis.

Harper College has three Employee Resource Groups (ERG), which bring together employees from various employment groups to assist the college in creating an environment and culture that is welcoming and supportive of all employees, particularly those individuals who are members of historically underrepresent populations. The ERG's include: DREAM – Diverse Relationships Engaged in Affirming Multiculturalism; LAND – Learning About Abilities, not Disabilities; and SAFE @ Harper – Staff, Administrators, and Faculty for Equality. Since 2009, Harper College has been active with Achieving the Dream, and in 2020, the college earned the Leader College of Distinction status for achieving new, higher student outcomes and narrowing equity gaps.

Reporting to Dr. Avis Proctor, who began her tenure as the sixth President of Harper College on July 1, 2019, the next VP of DEI will serve as the chief diversity officer of the college. In support of the college's mission, vision, strategic plan, and core values, the VP of DEI is responsible for leading the college's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with oversight that encompasses several areas within the college that address student and employee academic engagement, climate, access, and equity. The VP of DEI is responsible for helping the President, the Provost and EVP with the administration, management and planning of the college's policies, programs, and services within the assigned area(s). In addition, the VP of DEI works closely with the Executive Cabinet to ensure a coordinated and cohesive institutional approach to diversity, equity and inclusion organizational excellence.

To ensure full consideration, completed applications are due by December 21st, 2020. The search page, which includes the Executive Search Profile and application and nomination links, is located here.

RH Perry & Associates, a national executive search firm, is assisting Harper College in this search. All confidential communications may be directed to our search team: Mr. Jesse Thompson, Senior Consultant and Director of Community College Searches at (617) 901-4880, Mr. Paul Doeg, President and Chief Operating Officer at (406) 220-2129, or to HarperVPDEI@rhperry.com.

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