Assistant Dean & Director, Intercultural Center

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Swarthmore’s Intercultural Center (IC) provides programs and services that support the personal and intellectual development of Asian American, Latinx/e, Multiracial, Native American, Black, Queer (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender), low-income, international, students with disabilities, and first-generation college students at Swarthmore College. The Center assumes broad responsibility for the creation of a supportive environment which promotes the students' full participation in the College’s co-curricular life and enhances the sensitivity of the larger community to the needs, interests, and culture of its students. In addition, the IC promotes systemic change toward a multicultural perspective across the institution, and fosters community-building and collaboration among diverse groups both within and outside of the college.

The opportunity:

Swarthmore College seeks an Assistant Dean and Director of the Intercultural Center, a senior member of the Division of Student Affairs who provides leadership and strategic oversight of all aspects of the Intercultural Center. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence, this position works closely with the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, other staff, faculty, and alumni in developing resources for improving the quality of campus life for students of color and advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives. Responsibilities include supervising staff and interns, advising students, providing logistical support for programs and events; planning special projects supported by the office; drafting and preparing correspondence and documents; professional interactions with other members of the College community, outside visitors, and vendors. The position is also responsible for all administrative functions of the office such as reports, budgets, data and file archiving. The director will focus primarily on the development, supervision, and execution of programs supporting the activities of the Intercultural Center at Swarthmore College.

As a Student Dean, they are an academic advisor to 8-10 students each year. They are the primary point of contact for a caseload of students, providing wide ranging advising and support to students on issues including academic performance (e.g. course warnings, academic probation, etc.), initiating and returning from personal and medical leaves of absence, managing health and/or personal issues, and helping students who are experiencing social or adjustment challenges. As a member of the Student Dean team, they work closely with colleagues in student health and wellness and/or counseling and psychological services on student cases involving complex and/or crisis situations. Student Deans also serve as communications liaisons with faculty, staff, and students’ families/guardians.

Essential Responsibilities

Director of the Intercultural Center

• Develop vision, objectives, and goals that implement educational student development and programs that speak to the particular needs and experiences of students in conjunction with IC staff, interns and student group leaders.
  • Serve as the public face and primary ambassador for the IC to both on- and off-campus constituencies; prepare and deliver speeches and public presentations in numerous settings to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
  • Lead and support IC staff members, along with student interns, to prepare for large-scale programs including Heritage Month, IC Open House, IC Awards and Month, and other special events.
  • Offer individualized trainings and workshops educating the campus community about cultural competency
  • Exercise professional judgment and specialized knowledge by providing accountability, advice, consultation, and guidance to individual students, IC interns, student volunteers, and affiliated student organizations including support for effective navigation and negotiation of campus policies, rules, regulations in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
• Develop and/or exercise competency skills in working and negotiating complexities in the similarities and differences of all communities and individuals encountered through the work of the IC.
• Cultivate ongoing collaborations with identity-based centers (Black Cultural Center, Gender and Sexuality Center, the Interfaith Center, and International Student Center) and participate in general activities of the Division of Student Affairs, including committees, special events, meetings, and initiatives.
• Respond to inquiries, complaints or requests from students, staff, faculty and community regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence
• Foster excellent communication and maintain partnerships among administrative offices, academic departments, faculty resources and community resources to continuously improve how the IC serves the college.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of IC programs and events as well as annual goals and objectives.

Student Dean

• Responsible for providing support on academic, personal, and disciplinary matters to a cadre of students each year. Provides advising, counseling or referral as appropriate; monitors the student’s progress and provides ongoing coaching and support to ensure problems are addressed.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for any issues of concern regarding the students in their caseload that may be raised by faculty/course instructors, health and/or counseling services staff, residential life staff, coaches or co-curricular advisors, family members, friends, etc.
• Meet with students as necessary for individual advising and mentoring.
• Responds to and supports students experiencing personal and/or health emergencies; involves after hours (nights and weekend) work as necessary.
• Assists in advising students with academic and/or personal stressors; works closely with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and with Student Health and Wellness staff to address serious mental health or physical challenges.
• Communicates and collaborates with faculty regarding students’ absence from class, missed course work, academic struggles, and/or other personal emergencies, affecting academic performance.
• Provides sensitive and timely information regarding resources and options (both on- and off-campus) available to students.
• Participates in weekly Student Dean and Deans & Directors meetings and provides counsel and support for all programs in the Dean’s Division.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises the work of the Assistant Director of the Intercultural Center.
• Effectively performs the following:
  • Organize workflow and ensure the employee understands their duties or delegated tasks.
  • Ensure staff have professional development plans in place.
  • Communicate key issues and information to staff members.
  • Provide fair, constructive, and timely feedback and coaching to drive performance and work toward established goals developed during the annual performance assessment process.
  • In partnership with Human Resources, follow disciplinary procedures as established in accordance with the employee handbook.
• Participate in supervisory training opportunities.
• Maintains a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

Who you are:

• Understands and appreciates the intellectual, emotional, social, and psychological development of undergraduate students in a diverse community committed to intellectual rigor.
• Demonstrate initiative, have excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills, navigate relationships with students, staff and faculty, and demonstrate a high level of multicultural competency
• Must be an enthusiastic, energetic, and organized self-starter who is capable of working independently and in a team environment and prepared to work in a fast-paced environment where processes and needs are changing and developing regularly.

Many job postings include a list of preferred qualifications, but we understand that candidates come from diverse backgrounds and may possess valuable skills and experiences that are not always represented in a job description. Your unique perspective and contributions are highly valued, and we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. So don't hesitate to apply – your voice and talents are needed and welcome here.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• 3-5 years experience working effectively and sensitively with vulnerable and structurally oppressed populations and their intersecting identities — such as youth/students, people of color, low-income, first-generation college students, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, immigrants/undocumented, etc.
• Requires physical presence in the office, including for functions such as hosting events/programs/groups across campus for functions such as keeping the office in order, or setting up and cleaning up for events or programs.
• This position requires occasional expectations to work outside of the normal schedule, including evening and a few weekend hours during the fall and spring academic semesters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Several years experience as a director or dean in academic and personal development in a higher education setting.
• An informed knowledge, including through academic study and/or cultural identity, of the varying groups affiliated with the Intercultural Center is highly desirable
• The vision to understand and appreciate the intellectual, social, and political development of undergraduate students
• Self-awareness and awareness about power dynamics and building trusting and supportive spaces is critical.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations, including a resume and cover letter, by October 8, 2024. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Review the 2024 Benefits Flyer . We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and those with underrepresented identities are encouraged to apply.

Advertised: Sep 17 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: