Senior Director for Belonging and Inclusion

WHITMAN COLLEGE

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, the Senior Director for Belonging and Inclusion will play a pivotal role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Whitman College. As a senior-level administrator in the Division of Inclusive Excellence, the Senior Director will collaborate closely with campus constituents to cultivate an affirming and welcoming environment through strategic programs and initiatives that educate, engage, and empower members of the campus community.

The Senior Director will serve as a liaison to the Division of Student Life and partner with faculty and staff to expand opportunities for meaningful engagement in the work of the Division of Inclusive Excellence, further advancing inclusion across Whitman College. This position supervises the Directors of Identity and Belonging and provides oversight to the college’s Identity Centers, including the All Faiths Room.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Supervisory Duties

• This role supervises at least one regular staff position.

Primary Responsibilities (50%)

• Coordinate outreach to understand and address climate concerns.
• Establish and sustain ongoing opportunities for education, training, and professional development for the campus community (faculty, staff and students) to advance diversity, equity and inclusion to create a more equitable and inclusive campus community.
• Provide strategic oversight of the annual Power & Privilege Symposium. 
• In collaboration the Vice President, coordinates the Posse Program.
• Assist with the implementation of initiatives related to the strategic goals of the college and division.

Divisional Responsibilities (35%)

• Work closely with the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence to develop and implement an assessment tool to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Oversee Identity Centers and collaborate with directors to ensure the development of robust programming as well as the effective selection and comprehensive training of student workers.
• Develop scholarship that advances inclusive excellence at Whitman College.
• Serve as a formal liaison to Student Life.

Evolving Responsibilities (15%)

• Serve on the Inclusive Excellence Council.
• Participate in professional development conferences to enhance expertise and support ongoing institutional excellence.
• Lead the development of staff affinity groups.  

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,

• Actively and positively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and access.
• Strong commitment to and demonstrated skills for working with individuals from diverse and intersecting identities, backgrounds, and experiences.
• Strong communication (oral and written) skills, ability to effectively engage and present to a wide variety of constituents, both internally and externally.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS