Associate Director, Social Change and Intercultural Engagement - (STU00000128)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement connects students with opportunities to engage with and learn from the SMU campus, Dallas community, and beyond. The office prioritizes advocacy and awareness through immersive community engagement experiences and social justice education.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Associate Director of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement provides training, development, advice, and support for student success, leadership development, diversity, and social justice education. This position also supports the office's mission by developing and implementing programs that increase awareness, knowledge, and skills with regard to creating diverse and inclusive environments in addition to experiential learning. The Associate Director supports initiatives that benefit the entire campus community including large-scale retreats, trainings, and programs. 

Essential Functions:

• Supervision and leadership: Provide supervision and leadership to the Community Engagement Coordinator including regular meetings and performance appraisal 
• Program Development: Develop, implement and coordinate the student development programs. These include the CONNECT Student Success Program including and program assessment. Implement leadership, diversity, and social justice education programs. 
• Serve as a Co-Initiator working with Engage Dallas in managing the Core team.  Will oversee the Offsite and Risk Team, and the Education and Training. Take on project teams as necessary.
• Partnerships: In partnership with the the SCIE team, develop and maintain collaborative relationships and work closely with campus and community partners  to implement programs that facilitate a diverse, and inclusive learning environment for all students.
• Serve as the departmental assessment contact with responsibility for attending assessment training and completing requested and annual assessment reporting. 
• Teamwork: Serve as a member of the SCIE team contributing to staff meetings and other department-wide initiatives as assigned. Serves as a member of the Student Development team. Support the implementation and realization of the goals and learning domains in the student affairs strategic plan.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required for programs, advising groups, and department/office retreats. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Master's degree is required.

A minimum of five years of experience is required. Experience in program development and student leadership development is strongly preferred. Experience facilitating leadership and diversity workshops and trainings is strongly preferred. Experience managing multiple projects with competing priorities is strongly preferred. Three years of experience working with diverse student populations is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate ability to problem-solve complex issues affecting college student development is strongly preferred.

Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Carry/lift 25 lbs. 
• Drive motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by February 2, 2024. 

Application deadline: February 16, 2024

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.