Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Department Statement

Following a generous gift in 2002, Colgate created the Director of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, students) Initiatives role, initially locating it within the Center for Women’s Studies ( WMST ). In 2007, the position moved from sharing responsibilities in residence life, and student leadership and involvement to becoming a full-time role focused exclusively on supporting LGBTQ students and allies and, more broadly, people with marginalized genders and sexualities. Today, the director supports students and allies with a deep understanding on issues of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and spiritual backgrounds as well as their intersectionality, and by helping students and allies make the connection between their identities within the context of a small, private, residential, rural liberal arts college.

The Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives continues to share a close partnership with the WMST, the LGBTQ Studies faculty and staff, as well as other faculty, staff, alumni, and students, to promote inclusivity across campus. The next Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives benefits from nearly 19 years of history and tradition supporting the Colgate LGBTQ community to provide an affirming campus environment and climate. This is an exciting time to join Colgate and the Office of the Dean of the College as Colgate implement the Third Century Plan, which has a strong focus on equity and inclusion.

The mission of LGBTQ+ Initiatives is enhancing campus diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally students through personal/intellectual/leadership development, building community, and outreach/visibility.

Accountabilities

The Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives is an administrative position within the Office of the Dean of the College. Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of LGBTQ +Initiatives is dedicated to supporting Colgate’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and ally students by working to achieve inclusive excellence and through visibility across a vibrant campus community. The Director also advances several important divisional initiatives on behalf of the Dean of the College related to campus climate, particularly as they relate to gender, sexuality, equity and inclusion as well as intersectional identities. This position requires an independent, creative colleague who understands servant leadership as a way of supporting students and equipping them to navigate a rigorous liberal arts college environment.

The Director oversees daily operations including website and social media presence, co-supervision of an administrative assistant as well as supervision of student program coordinators. They develop and promote LGBTQ events, activities, programs, and initiatives, advise student organizations, work with students and the Rainbow Room, a student-run space, and provide education and support at Colgate regarding sexual orientation, gender, and gender-identity. The Director develops and maintains community resources, including materials that inform current and prospective students about the lived experiences, cultures, and concerns of LGBTQ people at Colgate.

Essential Functions

● Serve as primary support and resource for LGBTQ+-identified students.
● Maintain signature programs and events including SafeZone, Queerfest, Trans Day of Remembrance, Lavender Graduation, and Coming Out Week.
● Serve as the adviser to Queer and Trans People of Color ( QTPOC ) and Lambda student organizations as well as other related recognized student organizations.
● Supervise LGBTQ+ Student Program Coordinators.
● Collaborate across the university to develop and review policies and practices that advance LGBTQ+ inclusion.
● Maintain and strengthen partnerships with LGBTQ Studies and the Center for Women’s Studies.
● Represent and promote Colgate through local/regional/national presentations on LGBTQ+ inclusion.
● Develop social climate assessment and evaluation. Gather and analyze qualitative and quantitative data related to LGBTQ+ programs, service, and climate. Liaise with the Dean of the College Assessment Committee in matters relating to climate surveys.
● Maintain website, campus newsletter, and other communication channels.
● Other duties as assigned.

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

● Two years of professional experience in student affairs, or related field;
● Knowledge and understanding of identities, issues, and research related to LGBTQ+ students in higher education;
● Familiarity with contemporary college student issues, especially those related to gender, sexuality, gender identity, and the intersectionality with other identities;
● Experience with advising and/or supervising student workers;
● Comfortable with consulting current literature to develop an evidence-based practice to support LGBTQ+ students and promote inclusive excellence;
● Familiar with and committed to ongoing learning about the evolving landscape of students’ gender and sexual identities;
● Experience with assessment and learning outcomes development;
● Demonstrated experience advising student organizations and providing individual students with academic, personal, social, and cultural advising;
● Membership in relevant professional associations (e.g. AERA, NASPA, ACPA, etc.);
● Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive environments;
● Demonstrated experience in design and facilitation of educational and awareness-raising workshops and trainings;
● Strong organizational skills, including effective time management and prioritization capabilities;
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as presentation skills;
● Some night and weekend availability required; and
● Must be committed to working collegially and networking with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis.

Preferred Qualifications Education

Bachelor’s degree required.

Master’s degree in higher education administration or student affairs or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills have been attained is preferred

Job Open Date 04/20/2021 Job Close Date Open Until Filled No Special Instructions Summary

Colgate is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.

We strive to be an inclusive community — one that embraces and values diversity (in the broadest sense possible) in an environment of mutual respect, communication, and engagement. A variety of cultures and perspectives enriches the quality of campus life, and the opportunity to share different views and experiences is at the core of Colgate’s educational enterprise.

These differences can include but are not limited to: race; ethnicity; gender and gender expression; sexual orientation; socioeconomic status; geographic background; national origin; culture; age; mental, cognitive, and physical abilities; religious beliefs; and political beliefs.

As a result, we ask all candidates seeking consideration for the Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives position to submit a diversity statement with their application materials. You can upload the statement under the Diversity Statement document heading.

A diversity statement may be any length (e.g. a short paragraph, a page) explaining your experiences, actions, and/or commitments related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

To learn more about Colgate’s DEI plan, visit https://www.colgate.edu/about/third-century-plan/plan-diversity-equity-and-inclusion

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.