Job Description Summary

The Nyumburu Cultural Center has served the UMD community since 1971 and continues to build on its foundations. The mission of the Nyumburu Cultural Center is to promote an understanding of and appreciation for African-American Culture in all of its richness and complexity. In carrying out its mission, the Nyumburu Cultural Center strives to provide opportunities and support for all students interested in African and African-American history and culture; to foster greater involvement by students in campus programs and initiatives; to instill in students an informed awareness of and appreciation for African-American, Caribbean, and African heritages; and to improve retention and graduation rates for all students. In the various events and activities it sponsors, the Center also acknowledges, recognizes and solicits contributions of other heritages. As a unit of Belonging & Community at UMD, the Nyumburu Cultural Center works in close partnership and collaboration with all functions within Belonging.

The director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center is responsible for overall strategic leadership and vision, operations, financial stewardship, programming, assessment, and ongoing campus community and external outreach of the Nyumburu Cultural Center, including staff supervision and facility oversight. The director seeks collaborative partnerships with campus partners internal and external to Belonging & Community. The director ensures effective signature programming occurs and that programming efforts have a direct connection to the academic support, retention, and graduation of students at the University of Maryland (UMD).

Operationally, the position manages the Center’s fiscal resources including state funds, grants, foundation accounts, and scholarships. The director serves as a spokesperson for the Center, and cultivates vital relationships and partnerships with alumni, donors, and local K-12 partners to advance fundraising, expand marketing communications, and support university-wide collaborative initiatives. The director serves on and/or leads internal committees. This position is supervised by the assistant vice president for belonging.

Led by the vice president of belonging, the following are functions in the Belonging & Community at UMD portfolio: American Disability Act, Bias Incident Support Services, Equal Employment Opportunity, LGBTQ+ Equity Center, Nyumburu Cultural Center, Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct, Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education, and TerrapinSTRONG Education.

Physical Demands: Sedentary work performed in an office environment. Regularly required to attend meetings, events, etc. both on and off campus. Ability to travel both domestic and international. Regularly required to communicate and exchange information and to use technology/devices. Ability to attend events, meetings, and training after normal business hours. Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands. Ability to transport and/or deliver items and supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Ten (10) years of professional experience in higher education, student affairs, diversity, inclusion, belonging, community engagement, or student success. Five (5) years of experience supervising and managing professional staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of student development theory, advising practices, student success strategies, and culturally responsive support services in higher education.
Knowledge of principles and practices related to community building, belonging, identity development, and inclusive engagement.
Knowledge of program development, implementation, assessment, evaluation, and data-informed improvement strategies.
Knowledge of higher education research, assessment standards, policies, laws, budgeting, and resource management practices.
Knowledge of branding, marketing, and communication principles.

Skill in developing and implementing strategic plans, programs, and initiatives that support student engagement, retention, and success.
Skill in assessing programs and services and using data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
Skill in building collaborative partnerships and providing consultation to students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.
Skill in public speaking, written and verbal communication, and preparing reports and presentations.
Skill in project management, prioritization, and managing multiple deadlines.
Skill in using technology applications, including GSuite, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Ability to navigate complex institutional structures and advance initiatives that promote organizational change.
Ability to interpret policie