Assistant Director of the Black Cultural Center

Reporting to the Director of the Black Cultural Center, the Assistant Director administers programs and services focusing on the social, personal, and leadership development of Black students to promote their retention and academic success. This role provides primary support—particularly for leadership initiatives designed for Black male and female students—using a holistic model that promotes academic excellence, social belonging, cultural competency, and preparation to contribute positively to society.

Following Berea College’s long-standing tradition, this position includes supervising, mentoring, and developing students in the College's integrated Work College Program, supporting student learning, career readiness, and the program's learning goals and outcomes. The Work College Program provides a developmental framework that guides student learning while creating structured mentorship opportunities, with role-specific training that equips faculty and staff mentors to support student development.

Responsibilities

• Leadership, Supervision, and WLS Management – (30%)
  • Oversee the Black Male Leadership Initiative (BMLI) and Black Women’s Leadership Initiative (BWLI), ensuring appropriate budgetary spending, term-based outcomes, academic curriculum, mentorship for students, professional development opportunities, and other duties as assigned.
  • Assist the Director with leading onboarding and training for student leaders, including Work-Learning-Services (e.g., Labor) student teams, Registered Student Organizations leaders, and other students as assigned.
• Budget & Resource Management – (10%)
  • Budget, expend, and manage grant funding that supports the Center’s operations and staffing.
  • Identify, apply for, and obtain additional grant funding to support the Center’s strategic goals.
  • Prepare and submit grant reports as required by grantors to remain in good standing and secure opportunities for grant renewal.
• Student Advising & Support – (20%)
  • Provide support services and programs for Black students, including orientation, counseling, mentorship, coaching, advising, conflict resolution, advocacy, and leadership development.
  • Enhance the quality of Black students’ educational experience and promote their academic success through targeted programs and services.
• Program Development & Oversight – (30%)
  • Plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate programs and events promoting cultural understanding and education, emphasizing the contributions and experiences of people who identify as Black, African American, and/or of African descent.
  • Collaborate with the Program Coordinator of the Black Cultural Center to create a year-round programming calendar, ensuring equitable access for students to engage with programs and initiatives.
  • Partner with College Admissions in the recruitment and orientation of Black students.
  • Assist the Director in managing the Center’s budget, space, and resources.
  • Assist the Director with operations for the Sankofa Scholars Program and other signature Center programs and events.
• Assessment, Reporting, and Compliance – (5%)
  • Assess the effectiveness of assigned programs and services through comprehensive data collection, reporting, and evaluation to track engagement, retention, and academic outcomes.
  • Deliver regular presentations to college leadership, shared governance bodies, faculty, staff, students, parents/families, and community members.
• Departmental & Divisional Projects – (5%)
  • Serve on campus-wide committees as assigned by the Director to broaden involvement and advocacy for the Black Cultural Center and the Black student experience.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (required).
• A Master's Degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Education, Black or African American History/Studies, or another appropriate field with an emphasis on student development (preferred).
• 3+ years of leadership experience in higher education working directly with students in a multicultural or diversity affairs-related position.
• Experience providing program and student development services, especially for students of color.
• Experience supervising volunteers, student employees, and/or full- or part-time professional employees.

Skills

• Alignment with Berea College’s mission, values, and Eight Great Commitments.
• Alignment with the Black Cultural Center’s mission, values, and strategic goals.
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Thorough familiarity with theory, research, and practice in student engagement and success, and in multicultural understanding, especially as focused on race and interracial dynamics.
• Ability to design and implement meaningful and high-quality co-curricular programs for students.
• Commitment to collaboration, community partnerships, and teamwork.
• Deep personal commitment to multicultural understanding.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license.
• Required background checks.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds.
• Ability to travel independently by car and/or plane.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

Environmental Conditions

• Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff, and faculty.
• Occasional travel required for meetings, conferences, etc.

Equipment Operation

• Standard office equipment: computer, fax, phone, etc.
• Media equipment.
• Vehicle – college vans/cars.

About Berea College

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and over 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college.

As one of only ten federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2025. Washington Monthly named Berea College the #1 Best College in the nation in its 2025 College Guide, ranking it #1 overall, #1 Best College for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, #1 Best-in-Class College, #1 Liberal Arts College, and #1 Best Bang for the Buck Southern College.

Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.

Benefits

Berea College offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their families, including:

• Health care, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plans, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to the Child Development Laboratory for children of College Staff (ages 6 weeks to 6 years).
• Seabury Center Membership.
• Staff Development Funds and Tuition Reimbursement.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave (full-time employees).
• Part-time employees who work an average of twenty-four hours per week over the course of a year receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.