Umoja Center Coordinator

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future. Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world. Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of the Centers for Inclusive Academic & Career Excellence, the Umoja Center Coordinator oversees the day-to-day operation of the Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence. The Coordinator plans, responds, and advocates for the support and success of students attending Cal Poly Humboldt who self-identify with any of the diverse identities represented within the African diaspora, from enrollment to graduation. Works with campus partners to create and advance strategic vision and planning and implements services and programs that promote inclusion and intersectional engagement. Works closely with academic departments to strengthen culturally responsive curricular and co-curricular programming. Trains and supports Umoja Center academic advisors to ensure student success. Assists campus in creating a polytechnic that supports underrepresented students with enrolling and succeeding.

Responsibilities

• Lead Work – 35%
  • Lead the day-to-day operation of the Umoja Center and its academic success strategies.
  • Maintain and update the Umoja Center website.
  • Coordinate events, including marketing and promotion.
  • Provide lead work direction of professional staff, academic advisors, graduate and undergraduate student assistants as assigned.
  • Plan and facilitate leadership development activities and assessment of student assistants.
  • Work closely with and participate in major programs and events with the other Centers for Inclusive Academic & Career Excellence and the Social Justice Equity and Inclusion Center.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with academic units and campus community partners to provide a full range of academic programming that promotes the success of students served by the Umoja Center.
  • Provide leadership and mentoring to other African diaspora-focused clubs and student groups that currently exist and as they are developing.
• Academic Mentoring and Retention Support – 20%
  • Provide academic mentoring and guidance for students participating in the Umoja Center, track student progress, and oversee peer mentors and student assistants who run the Umoja Center. This includes but is not limited to: Black History Month activities, Black to the Land, and Black Grad Celebration.
  • Respond to students in crisis and need and make appropriate referrals to campus and community resources.
  • Lead in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs, workshops, presentations, academic success strategies, retreats, and socio-cultural education events for students.
  • Develop, implement, and refine program activities with an emphasis on academics, career, professional development, sense of belonging, time management, effective communication, and holistic wellness.
  • Collaborate with academic partner units on recruitment and retention strategies for, and serve as a resource within the community, including other campus offices/departments.
• Cultural Learning and Student Development – 15%
  • Provide historical context, continuity, and knowledge to support programs that enhance students’ personal, socio-cultural, and professional development and growth.
  • Communicate to students new opportunities, resources, programs, policies, and procedures at Cal Poly Humboldt.
  • Promote participation in sponsored events and activities designed to enrich and enhance their personal, cultural, and social wellbeing.
  • Promote, educate, and stay current on issues of social and political impact on the African diaspora community and the intersections between those identities and other marginalized identities and their impact on student success outcomes.
• Campus Resources and Outreach Support – 15%
  • Lead efforts to promote resources and outreach with other units at Cal Poly Humboldt, including but not limited to: the Learning Center, Academic Advising, Career Development Center, Educational Opportunity Program, and Admissions.
  • Develop an ongoing relationship with cultural clubs, campus leaders, student associations, staff, and faculty connected to the African diaspora communities.
  • Participate in local, regional, state, and national organizations on student success and stay current on educational trends, studies, and best practices on retention/completion strategies for students served by the Umoja Center in relation to cultural backgrounds.
  • Participate on appropriate university committees to foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of the students served by the Umoja Center.
  • Serve as Chair of a stakeholder group made up of community members, faculty, staff, students, and administrators who are connected to the success of the Umoja Center.
• Assessment and Data Collection – 10%
  • Collect and analyze data on targeted student communities.
  • Monitor persistence, retention, attrition, and graduation rates to decrease academic achievement gaps.
  • Submit semester and annual program reviews and conduct assessments for quality improvement.
• Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• General knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends of the Student Services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the program area to which assigned.
• General knowledge of individual counseling techniques.
• General knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned.
• Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned.
• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters.
• Determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature.
• Interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures, and activities of the coordinator of a campus inclusive center.
• General knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management.
• General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior in relation to leading and guiding students.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
• Use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze, and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.
• Advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required; recognize multicultural, multi-sexed, and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies, and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts.
• Rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions, and programs of Cal Poly Humboldt.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity addressing issues of concern facing students from diverse backgrounds in higher education.
• Knowledge of the needs of Black identified students in higher education.
• Ability to actively listen to students and respond to student crisis compassionately.
• Ability to network with campus, community, state, and national resources to support the needs of students.
• Ability to plan and execute on and off-campus events and fundraisers.
• Knowledge and awareness of intersectionality and ability to foster inclusivity across all student identities.
• Knowledge of mental and physical health resources specific to the needs of students.
• Ability to manage conflict among student staff.

Qualifications

• Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required.
• A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience.
• A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.
• Education equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one (1) year of experience training staff on issues related to Black Identity and resources.
• At least one (1) year of experience supervising or providing lead work direction to college students.
• Experience with conflict management.

Pay

Salary Range: $5,540 – $7,893 per month, Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,540 per month.

Benefits

• Outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Life insurance.
• Voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts.
• Fee waiver education program.
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
• 15 paid holidays per year.

Additional benefits information can be found at https://www.humboldt.edu/hr/employee-benefits.

Schedule

This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan permanent position with a one-year probationary period.