Black Cultural Center Fellow

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. Swarthmore College was recently ranked number 3 in the 2021 US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings - https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/swarthmore-college-3370.

Swarthmore College seeks a creative, team player to fulfill the duties of the Black Cultural Center Graduate Fellow. This person will work with student organization leaders, staff, and faculty to plan, organize, promote, supervise, and help evaluate programs and events to meet the needs of students. Reporting to the Director of the Black Cultural Center, the focus of the job will be primarily on the development and execution of programs supporting the activities and initiatives of the Black Cultural Center.

The Black Cultural Center (BCC) was established in 1970. Students are encouraged to explore the complexities of their identity, their connections to members of the Black community, both locally and globally, and to learn how to live productively after Swarthmore. The Center assumes broad responsibility for the creation of a supportive environment which promotes the student’s 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. At the same time, it recognizes the intellectual and social diversity among students of African descent and strives to gear its programs and services accordingly.

Essential Responsibilities:
• Advise and assist student organizations in developing, planning, budgeting, scheduling and marketing their programs.
• Be available to assist with student programs and activities outside normal working hours.
• Communicate regularly and meet with administrative staff of the Center at designated time.
• Serve on committees, work groups and task forces at the request of the Director
• Collaborate with centers and departments from the Swarthmore community to achieve strategic initiatives
• Serves as a resource to the Black Cultural Center regarding center policies, procedures and services.
• Maintain office standards and protocol with respect and confidentiality.
• Appreciate and internalize professional standards and ethics.
• Develop credible working relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Support the mission of the Black Cultural Center of Swarthmore College.
• Working with the Director and office staff members to prepare for large-scale programs, such as the annual Kwanzaa Program, Black History Month, and the BCC Senior Banquet.
• Work closely with BCC Interns and Student Organization Leaders with limited oversight of assigned tasks.
• Assisting in the development of training activities, resources, and programs for student leaders that participate in the student organizations affiliated with the Black Cultural Center.
• Assistance in administrative tasks of the Center as they may arise.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience working in a higher education setting
• Experience coordinating and implementing co-curricular programs for students.
• Demonstrated commitment to personal and departmental development, professionalism, multicultural education, creativity, collaboration, and initiative.
• Strong attention to detail; strong organizational skills; ability to handle multiple tasks, often under deadlines; ability to work as a team member to build strong working relationships within the greater Dean's division, across campus and in the broader community; ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Strong leadership skills
• Proficient in social media platforms
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Maintain a schedule of 15 hours per week for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with social justice education
• Experience working with diverse student populations

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 minorities are encouraged to apply.

Advertised: Feb 03 2022 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: