Associate Director of Black Engagement

About the role

The Associate Director (AD) of Black Student Engagement (BSE) at the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs (APCDIA) supports the Director in fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment for Black students.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver culturally relevant programs to support student engagement, retention, and graduation of Black students.
• Serve as an educator, advocate, and thought leader on the unique needs, experiences, and challenges of Black students.
• Collaborate with campus programs and departments to increase recruitment, retention, persistence, and completion of Black students.
• Provide consultation and support to Black students in need and make referrals to appropriate resources on and off campus.
• Collaborate with the APCDIA professional staff in recruiting, training, and developing student staff.
• Stay informed through higher education literature and research regarding retention and institutional policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with campus entities on events promoting intercultural, multicultural, and cross-cultural understanding, academic success, alliance, and civic engagement.
• Serve as an active member on the Black Student Success Committee and the Black Heritage Month Committee.
• Assist with division-wide retention initiatives in support of student success.
• Collaborate with, evaluate, and help guide student workers and/or work study students.
• Avoid the Director of APCDIA with the presentation of program reports, annual reports, publications, and other information required from the APCDIA.
• Create safe spaces for students to seek assistance and develop appropriate rapport with students.
• Coordinate referrals and interventions for tutoring, success coaching, and other support services; monitor follow-up and follow through with referrals and interventions.
• Foster coordination among student organizations supporting and celebrating Blackness on campus (e.g., fraternities/sororities, Black Caucus, etc.).
• May be asked to supervise an undergraduate/graduate student aide.
• Perform other duties as assigned or delegated by the Director of the APCDIA.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of trends and emerging best practices in higher education, inclusive pedagogy, and student development in equity, diversity, and inclusion programming.
• Knowledge of high-impact practices and literature related to intercultural education.
• Strong familiarity with theory and best practices prescribed for the positive identity development of Black students.
• Staff management and experience preferred.
• Experience assessing student-learning outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal, both written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analysis and strategizing skills.
• Must work well as part of a team and independently.
• Strong presentation/facilitation skills.
• Commitment to continued personal and professional development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and highly attuned emotional intelligence.
• Superior detail orientation with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to comfortably engage across organizational and cultural boundaries, adapting language and style to context.
• Publishing and website design and social media competencies are a plus.

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System. Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals. Positions are contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.