Chief Diversity Officer

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is an institutional leader, serving to advance Georgia College & State University's vision of ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from an increasingly diverse state (The 2020 Census showed that Georgia's residents who identify as white and non-Hispanic shrank to 50.1%), while preparing all of its students to succeed in a diverse workplace. The CDO is expected to lead and deepen the ability of faculty, staff and students to share and to engage with diverse perspectives, to maximize the success and inclusion of all students, staff, faculty, and offer outreach and collaboration to members of the Milledgeville and greater Baldwin County community.

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the President's Council, the Chief Diversity Officer will be charged with providing leadership, oversight and guidance in the implementation of a strategic Diversity Action Plan in coordination with the university's Strategic Plan. The CDO will develop, execute, lead and recommend critical institutional initiatives, policies, and projects.

Educational Requirements 

Master’s Degree

Required Experience  

Eight years management or leadership in related fields.

Preferred Educational Requirements

Terminal Degree

Preferred Experience

Demonstrated experience in conflict management and resolution.

Knowledge

• Experience, discernment and procedural knowledge for responding to bias incidents. Serve as a hub of knowledge and as a leader for DEI on campus in supporting the academic mission of GCSU. Working knowledge of Title IX, ADA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Abilities:

• Provide excellent service and responsiveness to internal and external customers. Build, develop, and cultivate relationships across campus with a variety of constituents. Ability to examine and develop operations and procedures and formulate policy. Independent judgment and initiative to plan, prioritize, organize, and implement a multi-faceted workload with attention to detail.

• Ability to utilize various forms of institutional data to benchmark and promote accountability for the diversity mission and inclusive excellence values of Georgia College. The ability to contribute to a learning environment that is inclusive/welcoming, collegial, and collaborative for faculty, staff, administrators, and students, and fosters a climate that encourages respect for and understanding of diversity.

Skills:

• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identities, sexual orientation, religious, and ethnic backgrounds present in the campus, local community and State of Georgia. Open and respectful communication style that contributes to addressing complex issues, encourages and sustains a campus community that values and exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion. Self-motivated, energetic, service-minded, and adept at conflict management and resolution. Excellent organizational, management, leadership, written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills. Skill in examining and developing operations and procedures and formulating policy.

Responsibilities 

Management -

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) serves as a hub of knowledge and as a leader DEIE (diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence) on campus in supporting the academic mission of GCSU. The CDO will provide leadership, strategic direction, guidance, and oversight in the implementation of a Diversity Action Plan in coordination with the university's Strategic Plan.

The CDO will aide in promoting the success of underrepresented students, staff, and faculty through general advocacy and a variety of academic support, diversity education, professional development and leadership and mentoring projects. The CDO will help identify and support initiatives to improve retention, persistence, and completion for underrepresented or at-risk students, and will also support initiatives to improve retention of faculty and staff members.

The CDO will serve as the 504 Coordinator, with the responsibility of being responsive to questions or complaints regarding disability discrimination, developing a grievance process for complaints and appeals, and managing the self-evaluation process pursuant to Federal guidelines.

The CDO will directly supervise the Title IX & Student Compliance Coordinator along with the administrative and support staff in the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

Planning and Programming –

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) will plan, direct, and coordinate Georgia College's strategic and long-range goals as they relate to diversity, equity and inclusive excellence, in coordination with the university's Strategic Plan. The CDO will also develop diversity awareness training for students, staff, faculty, and administration and provide institutional reviews to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities related to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.

The CDO is also responsible for developing signature programs and events that promote cultural awareness, intercultural engagement, cultural competency, and coalition building for all members of the campus community.

The CDO utilizes data to identify areas where the university can support students inside and outside the classroom, to ensure equity and inclusion in student success.

Collaboration –

The Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) will collaborate with a broad set of units on campus (e.g., Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Student Life) to navigate and implement purposeful and sustainable programming and assistance related to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence, for faculty, staff, and students.

The CDO will work in collaboration with the Diversity Leadership Teams in all divisions of the university, the President's Commission on Diversity, University Senate's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Committee (DEIPC), Diversity Stakeholders, Cultural Center, Women's Center, Deans, Department Chairs, and other entities across campus to foster an inclusive, welcoming, and engaging working and learning environment throughout the campus and in the greater campus community.

Budget -

Serves as budget manager for all state, foundation, and auxiliary budgets associated with the Office of Inclusive Excellence and ensures oversight and appropriate management for expenditures of each funding type and reporting associated with each source.

Serves as the Office of Inclusive Excellence liaison with the University Budget Office. Has a working knowledge of all accounts and budget sources, manages all budgets, including developing budget proposals, justifying expenses and monitoring accounts in coordination with the Office of the President.

Other -

Performs other duties as assigned.