Director for Student Inclusion and Belonging

About College of the Holy Cross:

Founded in 1843 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the College of the Holy Cross is among the nation's leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

Holy Cross highly values the unique skills, perspective, talents and passion that each employee contributes to its learning community. To work at The College is to accept an invitation to participate in the growth and development of all campus members, students, faculty and staff. The College's commitment to diversity is an important feature of the Holy Cross education. Informed by the presence of diverse interpretations of the human experience, Holy Cross is building a community marked by freedom, mutual respect, and civility. We seek others who support our values of diversity and inclusiveness. Job candidates of all diverse backgrounds who embrace the open and inclusive culture of Holy Cross are welcome and encouraged to apply.


Job Description:

Reporting to the Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the Director for Inclusion and Belonging works cross-divisionally and collaboratively with all campus constituents to enhance campus climate while implementing data driven programs and initiatives focused on elimination of student achievement gaps and barriers associated with creating a sense of inclusion and belonging among underrepresented students. The Director for Inclusion and Belonging works closely with the Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to plan and assess College-wide initiatives and priorities.

The Inclusion and Belonging Team provides cultural programming, student leadership and social justice development, student advocacy, academic success coaching and support. The team promotes student and academic success in support of efforts to develop and maintain a diverse and inclusive campus climate. The director will serve as the campus expert on student-related diversity and inclusion topics and issues, and will work closely with the Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to ensure alignment of and progress toward college-wide goals and initiatives.

The director is responsible for the supervision of direct reports; serving as a liaison to campus partners and key stakeholders; student, recognized student groups, and peer educator advising; event management; budget management; risk management; marketing and communications; and assessment.

The director must demonstrate an ability to engage in strategic thinking and serve as a campus leader; maintain a commitment to holistic student development; have strong interpersonal and communication skills; and be able to foster strong relationships with campus partners. The director must also be able to demonstrate an approach to their work that is consistent with the College's identity as a Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts college in a residential setting.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Serves as an expert in the areas of inclusion, belonging, academic success and the student experience for the College, and provides strategic leadership for the Inclusion and Belonging Team in the following areas:

Cultural Programming

• Ensures successful engagement, education, and community-building through responsive programming.
• Works with campus partners to highlight and promote the College's diversity-related programming each semester.
• Organize special events for prospective and admitted students, Homecoming, Family Weekend, and Commencement by collaborating with campus partners.
• Manage program and event logistics; coordinate schedules; arrange room reservations and refreshments; coordinate publicity and correspondence
  

Leadership Development

• Identify, develop and submit grants that support the programmatic mission of the office.
• Engages the e-boards of multicultural and identity-based student organizations.
• Works with the offices in the Division of Student Development, Athletics, and the Career Development Center on student leadership opportunities.
  

Student Advocacy and Support

• Serves on the Student Emergency Aid Committee and liaises with the Bishop Healy Committee on funding decisions.
• Serves as a member of the College's CARE Team.
• Serves as co-chair of the Bias Response Team.
• Collaborates with campus partners as appropriate in response to reported incidents of discrimination, bias, and prejudice.
• Ensure the success of the Lending Library.
  

Educational Resources

• Provide student-centered diversity and inclusion education through programs and resources.
• Develops in partnership with the Associate Director for Diversity Education online educational modules pertaining to diversity and inclusion.
  

Student Success Programs

• Development, assessment and oversight of the Odyssey Program, a program for students of color, students eligible for the pell grant, and first-generation students.
• Shared oversight of the Mentor Program.
  

Supervision

• Supervises the two Assistant Directors.

Campus Collaborations

• Collaborate with key campus stakeholders, including but not limited to offices and departments in Student Development and Academic Affairs; Athletics; the Chaplains Office; Admissions; and others.

Strategic Planning / Assessment

• Directs the collection and analysis of data to support assessment initiatives and program evaluation with specific attention to implementing data-driven diversity, equity and academic student interventions focused on inclusion, belonging and retention.
• Develop and execute department strategic plan and annual assessment plans.
• Set annual goals and submit annual reports.

Event Management

• Collaborates with the appropriate campus partners to plan and implement both small- and large-scale events, including Conference Services, Facilities, ITS, etc.
• Utilizes EMS and myHC to manage and promote events.

Space Management

• Develops and executes long-term goals related to space needs for the office, affiliated student organizations, and programming.

Marketing

• Establish and direct the Student Inclusion and Belonging Team's overall marketing plan, including on-campus outreach, community communications, and social media and myHC usage.

Risk Management

• Coordinate overall risk management activities and prevention for the office, including identifying and liaising with individuals designated as campus subject matter experts in specific areas of risk, liability, and legal concerns.

Alumni Engagement and Gift Stewardship

• Work with colleagues in Alumni Relations to connect students with alumni for support, opportunities, and mentorship.
• Steward donor gifts to support first-generation students and students of color.

Budget Management

• Monitors budget status and ensures business processes are established, followed, and maintained.
• Reviews and approves financial and business processes and requests as relevant.
• Maintains good budgetary practices and adheres to existing budgetary envelopes.

Student Coaching and Mentorship

• Working with the Assistant Directors for Student Inclusion and Belonging, advise and mentor student leaders, providing appropriate feedback and maintaining group morale.
• Includes students participating in Odyssey and the Mentor Program, Multicultural Peer Educators, and the student e-boards of our multicultural and identity-based student organizations. Ensure adherence to the College's policies and procedures.

Leadership

• Foster teamwork and collaboration within Office and College-wide community
• Serve on College-wide committees, and represent the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and College in professional fora.
• Serves as a member of the Student Life Council.
• Other duties as assigned.

To mitigate the spread and effects of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, College of the Holy Cross requires that all successful applicants show proof of full, up-to-date vaccination (including a booster dose once eligible) by an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before beginning employment, unless an accommodation exempting the applicant from this policy has been granted. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation based on a disability or sincerely-held religious belief should inform Human Resources after an offer of employment is extended; please do not include any medical, genetic, or religious information in your application materials.


Requirements:

• Masters required
• 5-7 years of management experience and working with first generation, low income and underrepresented students in an academic setting or equivalent. experience in diversity and inclusion or a closely related field.
• Financial Management of Budget Responsibilities.
• The ability to implement, manage and evaluate effective programming.
• An understanding of and appreciation for student development in a Jesuit Catholic context and a passion for working with students.
• Must be able to work collaboratively, independently and be able to make sound decisions.
• Demonstrate intercultural, diversity, and inclusion competencies and a demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of disadvantaged students.
• Proficient in all Microsoft suite applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
• Must be available for some night and weekend work.

Additional Information:

• This is a full time, exempt level position. The College is committed to providing competitive market pay for its employees. The College also offers a competitive benefits package for full-time staff, including:
• 10% College contribution to the 403(b) Retirement Plan (1 year wait waiver available)
• This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement
• NEW - condensed summer 4-day work week
• Tuition benefits
• Wellness programs & ongoing Training and Development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Free parking and free use of the athletic/fitness facilities.
  

College Description

The College of the Holy Cross is a private, Jesuit Catholic, undergraduate institution serving approximately 3,100 students. Founded in 1843, Holy Cross is the oldest Catholic college in New England and has a tradition of academic excellence. It is located atop Mount Saint James in Worcester, Massachusetts. The picturesque, 174-acre campus is an award-winning and registered arboretum.

Region Description

Worcester is a city of approximately 170,000 people centrally located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is approximately one hour from Boston, Hartford, and Providence, and three hours from New York City. Worcester is known as the Heart of the Commonwealth. Worcester offers many cultural and recreational opportunities.

The College is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and complies with all Federal and Massachusetts laws concerning Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the workplace.

A member of the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA).

To review our Employee Benefit Options, please go to: https://www.holycross.edu/human-resources/benefits


Application Instructions:

Please attach a cover letter addressing the position requirements along with your resume.

In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's mission as a Jesuit, undergraduate liberal arts college (see http://www.holycross.edu/mission ) and its core commitment to diversity and inclusion. Please provide examples of any past work that illuminate your commitments in these areas. For more information, please visit http://holycross.edu/diversity .

Review of applications will begin as received and continue until the position has been filled.