Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

Xavier University, a Jesuit Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts tradition, seeks an innovative, strategic and results-oriented leader to serve as the Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. 

Founded in 1831, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Xavier is annually ranked among the nation's best universities. Its four colleges offer more than 90 undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate programs to approximately 7,000 total students, including 5,000 undergraduates. Driven by its commitment to the common good and to the education of the whole person, the Xavier community challenges and supports students as they cultivate lives of reflection, compassion and informed action. Diversity and inclusion are central to Xavier's mission, as is the notion of cura personalis – the care for others recognizing the uniqueness and wholeness of each person. Across the student body 21% are students of color; students come from 48 countries; and 19 religions are represented. 

Xavier University is an institution on the move as it begins to write the next chapter in its storied history under Dr. Colleen Hanycz, who began her tenure as the first lay and female president in Xavier's 190-year history on July 1, 2021. The Vice President will report to the President, is a member of the President's Strategic Leadership Council, staffs the Board of Trustees' Diversity and Inclusion Committee and oversees the implementation and assessment of the Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and the Anti-Racism Action Plan. The Vice President leads the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, which has three full-time staff members, and has oversight of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, with a staff of six full-time members.

As the senior diversity and inclusion advisor to the President and University leadership, the Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion will provide vision and leadership to weave equity and inclusion into the fabric of Xavier by facilitating the planning and coordination of diversity and inclusion efforts. Xavier has made significant progress in these areas, and the new leader will be charged with further advancing those efforts. The Vice President will collaborate with the Xavier community in crafting an architecture of inclusion, supporting a campus environment where all are welcome and invited to participate meaningfully.

The ideal candidate will have an appreciation of and commitment to Xavier's Jesuit Catholic mission and the synergies between diversity efforts and that mission. Candidates will bring deep knowledge of current diversity and inclusion concepts and issues in higher education and take an intersectional approach to these topics. Demonstrated success in executing initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice and managing change with an understanding of the contexts, cultures, and politics within an institution will be assets for the role. The Vice President will be a collaborator and relationship builder; possess the skill to harness potential to help colleagues become the best version of themselves; have a history of effective leadership in a culture of shared governance; be adept at facilitating difficult conversations and challenge people to push their thinking while continuing to make them feel safe; and be able to articulate the importance of diversity and inclusion to the mission of Xavier. A master's degree is required.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Xavier University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 18, 2021.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Shelley Arakawa, J.D., Amy Crutchfield and Bree Liddell
XavierVPDiversity@wittkieffer.com  

Xavier University is part of the 500 year-old Jesuit Catholic Tradition of academic excellence in the liberal arts and is strongly committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity. These values are central to our mission. We strive for a climate of respect and inclusiveness that welcomes and supports members from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, is committed to unreservedly to open and free inquiry and deliberately seeks out multiple perspectives.

Xavier University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.