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Director of the Research Institute for Social Equity


Posting Details

Employees hired into Administrative and Professional positions posted on or after July 1, 2017, will be governed by and, if employed on July 1, 2018 will move into the new University Human Resources System. For additional information, go to http://greatplace.vcu.edu.

Position Number F67030 Position Type Teaching and Research Faculty Rank Open Working Title Director of the Research Institute for Social Equity School/Unit L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs Department Center for Public Policy Number of Months 12 Tenure Status Non-Tenure Eligible Grant funded position? Yes - Continuation of this position depends on funding of the grant.
Mission or Goal of Unit

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School’s vision is to be the premiere resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance and economic and community development. Ranked 39th among the nation’s public affairs schools, the Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

The Wilder School’s Center for Public Policy aims to advance research and training that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.

Drawing on the wide-ranging expertise of Wilder School faculty, we provide diverse public-facing services including leadership development and training, economic and policy impact analysis, survey insights and program evaluation to clients in state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses and the general public, across Virginia and beyond.

Chief purpose of this position in support of above mission or goal

This position is will more fully develop the Wilder School and Center for Public Policy capacity and offerings in equity research, training and leadership activities, to market and assist in delivering these offerings to public and private agencies, and respond to local, state, federal and Request for Proposals in the equity, diversity, inclusion space.

The position serves as the primary contact for Equity consultation and research work in the Wilder School’s Center for Public Policy, direct all CPP Equity activities, establish a model of equity analysis, engage members of the legislator and executive branch to discuss the Wilder School and Center for Public Policy equity initiatives and assess the effectiveness and utility of the equity initiatives being conducted.

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as the Director of the Research Institute for Social Equity ( RISE ) and the primary contact for equity consultation work in the Wilder School.

• Develop, along with the Dean of the Wilder School and Director of the Center for Public Policy, the mission, vision and plan for the Research Institute for Social Equity ( RISE ).

• Direct and lead the acquisition of equity-related grants and contracts for the Research Institute for Social Equity ( RISE ).

• Establish a model of equity analysis which can be enhanced and scaled up and included as part of the Research Institute for Social Equity ( RISE ).

• Engage members of the legislative and executive branch to discuss the Research Institute for Social Equity ( RISE ).

• Assist the Dean of the Wilder School in developing and requesting state budget appropriations to support RISE .

• Create an annual RISE event convening of Thought Leaders and experts to share Best Practices in Equity.

• Offer consultation services to the Wilder School Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute’s Minority Political Leadership Institute ( MPLI ) program’s existing equity work.

• Assess the effectiveness and utility of the equity initiatives being conducted in the Wilder School and work with the Dean and Director of the Center for Public Policy to include those activities when appropriate under RISE .

• Document all RISE work conducted for the historical record and to be enhanced and replicated for future academic work.

• Direct delivery of skilled, cutting edge training within the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, multiculturalism and related themes.

• Teach one course each year in the doctoral program and provide service to the program.

Required Qualifications

Master’s Degree required in a related field supporting DEI efforts in an institution of higher education (e.g,. multicultural education, sociology, critical race and/or gender studies, disability studies, American studies, anthropology, public policy, etc.) 5-8 years of experience, creating, managing and delivering high quality, comprehensive training and education programs (experience in higher education preferred) Demonstrated understanding of, and support for, key precepts in DEI training, including critical race theory, feminism, queer theory, privilege, protected classes, micro-aggressions, etc. Demonstrated ability to effectively work in an office environment that is diverse by race, gender, sexuality, religion, etc.

Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU .

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a related field
• Strong statistic and methods background.
• Evidence of high impact facilitation in both small and large group settings.
• Experience with facilitating learning for leaders.
• Experience in supporting adult learning and leadership development.


Date Posted 12/18/2020 Open Until Filled Yes Application Deadline Date Proposed Hire Date 03/01/2021 Type of Search National Application Process/Additional Information

Applications should be submitted to http://www.vcujobs.com, and include a cover-letter, a detailed CV with the names and contact information of three references, one example of scholarship or writing, and evidence of teaching effectiveness.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning January 18, 2020.

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences; and past, present, and future academic and professional activities have or will contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience.

“Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”.
VCU demonstrates its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through a number of initiatives, including an NSF ADVANCE -IT grant to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority ( URM ) faculty in STEM disciplines, and iCubed, a multi-faceted program designed to recruit URM faculty t collaborate with community partners in transdisciplinary cores to develop promising solutions that enhance the vitality of urban communities. Wilder School faculty are actively engaged in both initiatives.

Posted Salary Quick Link https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/102452 Diversity Statement Information For more information on diversity statements, including guidelines, please click here . Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  2. Other Document
  3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  4. Diversity Statement (Required for all Faculty)
Optional Documents

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