Chief Diversity Officer

General Summary

The Chief Diversity Office (CDO) will provide executive leadership and centralized coordination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout the University, including designing and, in some instances, supervising DEI initiatives in three key areas: programming, compliance, and student success. The CDO is also responsible for providing leadership and direction to the Office of Sexual Misconduct and Response and ensuring institutional compliance with Title IX requirements through such leadership.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning: Lead the planning and implementation of the University’s DEI strategic plan in alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan. Develop, deploy, and assess DEI programming and initiatives in furtherance of the DEI strategic plan.

DEIB office management: Oversee assigned offices that work in the DEI arena which, at the time of this posting, includes the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming and the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response (which includes Title IX).

DEIB boards & programs: Launch and chair a new University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. Serve as the primary administrative contact for other assigned DEI-related University commissions and programs which, at the time of this posting, includes the University Women’s Commission. Drive and manage significant University DEI programming including, but not limited, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Climate assessment: Manage the periodic development and execution of a campus-wide DEI climate assessment and develop recommendations to senior University leaders based on data gleaned from the assessment. Support action plans and follow-up assessments to ensure that data from climate assessment(s) are being appropriately acted upon.

Unit DEI work: Collaborate and serve as a resource for colleges and administrative units as they establish, coordinate, and assess contributions to the University’s DEI goals and their own unit-based DEI goals.

Policy and Compliance: Provide policy expertise and accountability on all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives for the University. Via leadership and oversight to the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response ensure that Title IX Policies and Procedures are up to date and meet both regulatory requirements and institutional needs. Provide high level oversight as it relates to the Title IX investigatory process and overall Title IX compliance to ensure that the University is meeting its obligations.

Learning & Development: Work closely with other University offices (including University Human Resources, Academic Human Resources, and Academic & Student Affairs) to develop training content and programming based on community needs and that is aligned with the University’s broader strategic plans and DEI initiatives. Partner with these offices on the implementation, deployment, assessment, and oversight of these DEI training initiatives for students and employees.

Communications: Serve as proactive advisor to the president, senior administrative leaders, and others as assigned on DEI initiatives and communications.

Community engagement: Foster community outreach (both within the University and the broader external community) to promote DEI partnerships that promote the University’s DEI goals, and represent the University in various community, regional, and state activities designed to promote DEI in higher education.

Enrollment: Work closely with Enrollment Management to build sustained partnerships with community organizations for the purpose of identifying and recruiting prospective students.

Employee diversity: Partner with University Human Resources and Academic Human Resources as it relates to the deployment of the University’s affirmative action initiatives. As part of the University’s broader DEI strategy and affirmative action plan, support initiatives to recruit and retain a diverse community of faculty and staff, and provide equitable employment policies and practices.

Philanthropy: Collaborate with staff from the Division of Advancement and Office of Research Development Administration to pursue DEI-related fundraising efforts, grant development, and alumni outreach.

Administrative: Perform related administrative duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

A master's degree is required (terminal degree is preferred). . A minimum of three years' experience is required in a role directly related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging initiatives and/or student affairs. Demonstrated leadership in the cooperative creation and delivery of organization-wide DEIB and cultural competency training programs is required. Exceptional written and oral communication skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines related to affirmative action and civil rights enforcement is preferred.