Vice President of Equity and Inclusion

Metropolitan State University, Minnesota’s public, urban university, and recipient of the 2019 Insight Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, with a mission and vision commitment to the creation of an anti-racist learning environment, is seeking to hire a Vice President of Equity and Inclusion. This is a Full time position reporting directly to the President.  The Vice President leads the Equity and Inclusion division and serves on the President’s Executive Cabinet and the University Cabinet.

The successful candidate will have a record of accomplishment, which demonstrates the following leadership competencies:

• Is a champion for equity, inclusion and anti-racism by interrogating policies, procedures and ideas to interrupt systemic racism, demonstrating inclusivity in work processes and teams, encouraging and promoting the diversification of our faculty and staff to mirror the diversity of our students, and in actively seeking out and inviting alternative viewpoints in planning, discussions and decision making.
• Communicates effectively by presenting ideas and proposals clearly and concisely, while also listening carefully to understand differing points of view.
• Builds trust by demonstrating respect, creating transparency, keeping commitments, and actively working to restore trust when necessary.
• Collaborates effectively by working authentically and openly with colleagues inside and external to the organization. Exhibits a spirit of true partnership that benefits all parties engaged in the project
• Builds organizational capacity to meet future challenges by identifying and removing barriers to innovation, collaborating across divisional, institutional and system boundaries.

Responsibilities:

• Acts as the chief strategist for diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism by providing vision and leadership for the university’s strategic goal of operationalizing these core values throughout the university to improve student and employee success
• Promote the continual development of culturally competent leadership skills among University leadership, administrative teams, faculty, and student leaders, through the execution of high-quality professional development
• Leads the university Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Council and subcommittees to ensure a collaborative approach to identifying and addressing issues related to advancing equity, inclusion and anti-racism on campus.
• Works across divisions to achieve the goals of Minnesota State’s Equity 2030 commitment and the student success goals articulated in the university’s strategic plan, which are focused on significantly reducing the educational equity gaps in student retention, persistence and completion over the next four years
• Ensure that the University’s policy development, implementation, and review work is conducted with an equity-lens to policy and mitigates the potential for disparate impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• In partnership with Human Resources provides leadership, collaboration, and technical assistance to implement innovative and proven strategies to successfully recruit, employ, and retain a workforce reflective of our changing state and national demographics.
• Serves as the University’s Title IX officer and coordinates deputy Title IX officers in student affairs and human resources
• Oversees the university investigator and investigations of complaints of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and Title IX violations;
• In partnership with Human Resources or the Dean of Students develops, implements and conducts training and educational programs related to affirmative action, equal opportunity, non-discrimination and sexual harassment
• Ensure the University is following system, state, and federal regulations related to non-discrimination and sexual violence.
• Develop working and maintain strong relationships with organizations that represent or support diverse and underrepresented groups in the state to achieve objectives of mutual interest. Work with communities of color and the American Indian community to support educational and cultural needs of diverse student populations.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Seven years relevant, progressive leadership experience
• Professional work experience in higher education
• Demonstrated senior level management experience leading equity and inclusion efforts within a complex organization
• Evidence of excellent writing, speaking, and interpersonal and intercultural communication skills
• Evidence of skill in using data to inform decision-making
• Knowledge of EEO principles and applicable state and federal labor and employment laws.
• Effective consultation and persuasion skills
• Ability to work independently, to be collaborative and be a contributing member of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree.
• Significant education and experience in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion, and anti-racism leadership.
• Innovative, nimble, creative thinker who is comfortable with ambiguity
• Evidence of strong emotional intelligence and conflict management skills
• Knowledge of Minnesota State policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and/or prior training on Minnesota State 1B.1 and/or 1B.3 Policies and Procedures and Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Employment and Education.
• Prior experience collecting data and developing Affirmative Action plans.
• Experience working in an environment of shared governance and multiple bargaining units
• Experience interacting with boards and legislative bodies
• Associated with national diversity and equity organizations

The University:  Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State, is a public, urban university located in Twin Cities Metropolitan area. The University provides an excellent, inclusive and engaging education to eliminate educational equity gaps and lead the Twin Cities community to a prosperous and equitable future.  Recognized as a Minority Serving Institution, its employees serve approximately 11,000 students, two-thirds of whom are from communities of color or American Indian nations, are first in their family to attend college or are eligible for Pell grants.  Metropolitan State is recognized by CollegeNet as a leading higher education promoter of social mobility for students (Ranked #39 out of 1449 U.S. colleges and universities).  The university offers programs leading to baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees.  We provide accessible, high quality liberal arts, professional and graduate education with continued emphasis on marginalized groups, including adult learners. Recognized in 2008 and 2014 by the Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement and named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the university is committed to academic excellence and community engagement through curriculum, teaching scholarship and services designed to support an urban mission.

Visit our web site at http://www.metrostate.edu

For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.metrostate.edu/students/support/safety

The Division: The newly formed Division of Equity and Inclusion includes the Vice President, an investigator and compliance specialist and administrative support.  Opportunities exist for student works and faculty fellows.

Salary:  This Administrator position is assigned to a Range 10, as outlined in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (Minnesota State) Personnel Plan for Administrators (see link below), and is commensurate with education and experience. 

* Employment for this position is covered by the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Personnel Plan for Administrators.

https://www.minnstate.edu/system/working/docs/contracts/2017-2019%20Administrators%20Plan_Final.pdf

Application:  To apply, go to https://metrostate.peopleadmin.com

*To comply with privacy and data practices requirements, please refrain from including personal information or photographs in your application materials.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on:  March 19, 2021.

Qualified applicants are required to attach the following documents to their online application:

• Cover letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position.
• Current curriculum vita or resume.
• Names of four (4) references with addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers.
• Transcripts - Valid unofficial copies of your transcript showing conferred/awarded date, your name and the academic institution’s name/logo are required.  We do not accept copy/paste word documents with a list of courses/grades or DARS reports.  If selected for hire, official original transcripts will be required.

If you have other questions related to this job announcement, please contact Human Resources at 651.793.1275 or email at hrrecruiting@metrostate.edu.. 

For TTY, call Minnesota Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529.

Notice: In accordance with the Minnesota State Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.

Metropolitan State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.