Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).
POSITION PURPOSE
Reporting to the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence (VPIE), the Senior Director of Identity and Belonging will serve as an essential member of the Inclusive Excellence team at Whitman College, serving approximately 1,500 students. The Senior Director is responsible for managing the administrative and programmatic operations of the Identity and Belonging area which includes Religious and Spiritual Life, the Intercultural Center, LGBTQIA+ Student Services, and the new Third Space Center. The Third Space Center is a facility designed to center the cultural wealth, community needs and concerns of minoritized students of color at Whitman. The Senior Director will operate the Third Space Center and supervise the three other full-time professional staff in the Identity and Belonging area.
Principal Accountabilities
Maintain and coordinate the services and programming for a student-centered campus facility.
Provide culturally affirming and culturally sustaining direct support to students who engage with the Third Space Center.
Provide strategic vision and inclusive leadership for a functional area, including supervision of professional staff, collaborative development of area priorities and goals, and coordinate program assessments.
Serve as a responsible steward of institutional funds and work with staff in the Identity and Belonging area to ensure resources allocated each fiscal year are effectively deployed and processed in alignment with institutional policies and inclusive excellence principles.
Contribute to institutional DEIA education and outreach efforts through collaboration on workshops and trainings for students engaging with recurring campus programs (New Student Orientation, Power & Privilege Symposium, etc.).
Recruit, train, and supervise student staff and/or student volunteers to assist with the programming and coordination of the Third Space Center.
Work with the VPIE to assess the needs and interests of minoritized students and coordinate with the Identity and Belonging team to measure program outcomes as part of the overall assessment plan for the Division.
Serve as a resource to student coalitions and clubs designing and developing programs that are in alignment with institutional values and that advance Third Space Center goals.
Assist in efforts to facilitate campus and community-based collaborations with Identity and Belonging units and work closely with interested faculty and staff colleagues on relevant programming and retention initiatives.
Provide, directly or through student staff, effective digital promotion of Identity and Belonging programs and events.
Engage in appropriate professional development activities (e.g. conferences, webinars, publications, etc.) to grow and maintain fluency on DEIA concepts in higher education.
Serve on institutional committees related to the advancement of inclusive excellence at the College.
Periodically serve as an Equity/Inclusion Advocate on staff searches.
Additional duties as needed if/when bandwidth is available.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,
Demonstrated understanding of the needs and issues facing students of color in higher education, including the unique operation of enmeshed or layered marginalized identities.
Ability to research, plan, evaluate and implement student-focused programs and services.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with individuals holding a variety of social identities.
Ability to apply leadership theory and competencies to appropriately and equitably scaffold and provide timely feedback to direct reports.
Ability to take initiative, exercise independent judgment, develop services, problem solve and resolve conflict.
Demonstrated understanding and application of program development, training, and coordination skills.
Deep knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in higher education.
Ability to build and foster respectful and collaborative relationships with colleagues across the campus.
Proficient in use of workplace technology, including Microsoft Office and the Google suite of cloud-based applications to generate reports, maintain records, share files and communicate with others.
Ability to learn, interpret, communicate and apply College policies and procedures related to fiscal and risk management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of full-time, professional experience in higher education or related field (graduate degree in related field can be used in place of 1 year of professional experience).
Experience working with and supporting communities of color.
Experience with budget and resource management.
Experience working with college students in a programmatic and advisory capacity.
Experience with the design and delivery of student-centered programming.
Experience with hiring, training and supervising students and/or professional staff.
Preferred Qualifications
Graduate degree (M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D., Ed.D.) in related field (Ethnic Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Education, etc.).
Experience with hiring, training and supervising professional staff.
Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Ability to work in an open office environment with 20% weekly hybrid work.
Benefits
Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.
403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.