Position Summary

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania's Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invites applications for the position of Director of The Dowdy Multicultural Center (MAN 180).
 
West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. WCU has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for the last four consecutive years.
 
WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; generous retirement plans; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.
 
The Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) provides leadership and expertise to West Chester University to advance its commitment to the principles of inclusivity, service, and academic excellence. Through programmatic and educational initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and outreach we cultivate an environment that welcomes all. The Division for DEI is comprised of four campus community centers, as well as the Office for DEI and the Frederick Douglass Institute. As part of the division, The Dowdy Multicultural Center (DMC) promotes holistic success and development of students through collaborative co-curricular experiences that promote multicultural awareness, create a sense of belonging, affirm racial and cultural identity, and empower all students to challenge systems of oppression.
 
Under the supervision of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Director of the Dowdy Multicultural Center provides leadership, management, vision, and oversight for a broad and inclusive programming model that enhances the academic, social, professional, and personal development of all students, while focusing specific attention on the support of WCU’s underrepresented minority students from enrollment through graduation. The Director actively contributes to the University strategic efforts to affect a positive campus climate and promote the engagement, persistence, and retention of underrepresented students.
 
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of factors that impact the retention and success of minoritized students; demonstrate evidence of successful initiatives through measurable outcomes; have experience managing a budget; be collaborative and approachable; and have experience mentoring students.  
 
Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic planning leadership and direct departmental goal setting
• Supervise full time, graduate, and undergraduate staff
• Oversee the department programming model
• Develop initiatives in support of the divisional curriculum and the co-curricular transcript
• Serve as main point of contact to alumni, corporate and community partners and those interested in supporting multicultural students
• Oversee policy development and compliance, including but not limited to compliance with applicable legal, environmental policies and/or mandates from governing bodies 
• Ensure programs, practices, and policies are socially just, equitable, and inclusive; minimize risk to self, students, other university constituents 
• Assessment and reporting including periodic review of programming initiatives and outcomes-based assessment; program data tracking; management of the utilization of assessment data; evaluation and research of reports and studies; and creation of reports as needed
• Serve as a Student Policy and Process Advisor
• Prepare and oversee the departmental operating budget
• Steward the Lawrence A. Dowdy Endowment fund
• Serve on appropriate University and divisional committees
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling education, or related discipline completed by June 1, 2024
• Four years of professional experience working within a college or university setting in student affairs or related area of higher education
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and train staff
• Experience working within a culturally diverse university community
• Availability to occasionally work evening and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in higher education, leadership or counseling education, or closely related field
• Strategic planning experience
• Program planning and/or program facilitation experience on topics such as student development, mentoring, cultural awareness, multiculturalism, diversity, and/or inclusion
• Assessment of learning experience
• Experience in mentoring and advocacy
• Public speaking experience  
• Experience supervising multiple full-time professionals, graduate assistants, and student employees
• Budgeting experience 

Special Instructions

Ask about opportunities to work from home and alternate work schedules.
 
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  
 
Candidates should apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa. Application materials must include a resume, cover letter, and three professional references.  (all required for consideration).
 
Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist.
 
Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU’s educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
   
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

About West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania is among the top regional comprehensive public universities in the nation, serving more than 17,500 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a national reputation for excellence, value, and student success. Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester offers more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the Philadelphia campus, and online. Five colleges and two schools comprise the University: Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the School of Music, and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Located in Chester County (25 miles from downtown Philadelphia) the area combines the best of enjoyable daily living with easy access to the full spectrum of country and city attractions. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

Connections working at West Chester University of Pennsylvania