Assistant Dean, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Position Summary

The School of Engineering is seeking candidates for a full-time Assistant Dean of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI). In this newly created role, the Assistant Dean of Diversity Equity and Inclusion will lead the development and implementation of strategies to align the School's DEI Mission and bring inclusion and diversity into the School's strategic planning process and academic initiatives. This position will be charged with implementing the School's strategic plan for addressing needs of historically underrepresented groups in our discipline, while collaboratively facilitating community engagement and education on matters of diversity, inclusion and social justice across engineering. This role will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, assessing outcomes and building on best practices internally and externally. The Assistant Dean of Diversity Equity and Inclusion will champion the importance and value of a diverse and inclusive school environment and implement the vision and strategy of the school to create a culture for equity, diversity, and inclusion. S/he will collaborate with stakeholders to assess the need for and recommend training initiatives on cultural competency related topics designed to increase and sustain awareness and support of equity and inclusion values, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• (30%)Leadership:

  • Leads the school in implementing strategic initiatives, including the creation of a culture for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Partners with campus leaders, faculty, students, and staff to ensure programming supports the School's values and strategic goals.
  • Work closely with senior leaders and campus partners to advance a school-wide culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing strategic planning and support for the recruitment, retention, and engagement of diverse faculty, students and staff.
  • Act as a school-wide ambassador for diversity, equity, and inclusion and will work to engage and inspire members of the internal and external community by raising awareness and illustrating the importance of these principles.
  • Coordinate with Department committees on diversity, equity and inclusion to build synergy in programming and share best practices across the school.
  • Develop and share best practice in assessment, including the development of matrices for measuring diversity performance for accountability purposes

• (25%) Training and Development:

  • Provide strategic direction for training initiatives on cultural competency, racial diversity, gender differences, disability, sexual harassment, building a climate of equity and inclusion, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values, and maintaining compliance with applicable laws in collaboration with School's stakeholders.
  • Develop and implement school initiatives that builds and supports proactive, diverse and inclusive, and equitable practices. Provides support related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programming. Collaborates with departments across the school to leverage diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
  • Administers diversity and inclusion policy and program development and has a consultative role on issues of diversity and inclusion relating to minority contractors and vendors. Work with Human Resources to ensure appropriate integration goals throughout SEAS. Ensure that any related risks to these goals are identified and addressed.
  • Consult with the University Title IX partners with to ensure that SEAS has an annual affirmative action plan, appropriate recording keeping procedures, and is in full compliance with required state and federal guidelines for federal contractors.

• (25%) Engagement:

  • In collaboration with Provost Faculty Advancement Office, Undergraduate/Graduate Admission Offices and Affinity Groups, and Human Resources; work to expand the diversity of the candidates for faculty and staff positions and student applicants, through outreach and recruitment.  This role will consult and partner with SEAS departments to advance efforts across the school to provide a welcoming and affirming environment for all.
  • Promote a culture of engagement and belonging by providing leadership in an environment that actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion and will possess a deep commitment to these values and demonstrate action and accountability in advancing strategies to support them at all levels of the school.
  • Will assist in the prioritization of diversity and equity initiatives and will communicate to the broader community to support and encourage actionable efforts that advance inclusiveness. Provide solutions to shared obstacles, coordinating resources, and sharing expertise in best practices.
  • Design, develop, and champion initiatives that build, expand, and support inclusive employee and student populations collaboratively throughout SEAS while removing obstacles to achieve success in these areas. Work with external groups and professional organizations interested in common issues and concerns related to equal employment opportunity/affirmative action, ADA, and diversity and inclusion to achieve synergy and interconnectedness throughout SEAS.

• (20%)Reporting and Assessment

  • Establishes and maintains survey and data collection processes, and an internal audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of program outcomes. Assesses and monitors program effectiveness and keeps management informed of equal opportunity progress and issues through periodic reports
  • Monitor metrics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ensures that ongoing, comprehensive, and research-based planning and assessment occurs, to include the establishment and review of goals and outcomes with the mission of the school, regular assessment of the accomplishment of goals and outcomes, timely completion of annual planning and assessment reports. Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.  
  • Work with communications office to ensure continued visibility of diversity programming and initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 4-6 years professional work experience in the field of, diversity and inclusion, social justice advocacy and education, student development, student advising, student organization advising, and/or campus-wide programming.
•  Experience designing and conducting assessment activities.
• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred; science or engineering background or training in STEM education is encouraged
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills;
• Team player with empathy, respect for others, a collaborative approach, and a sense of humor;
• Ability to respectfully lead and guide others, while also being a good listener who is open to new ideas;
• Understand, be sensitive to, and respect the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disabilities and sexual orientation of students, faculty, administrators, and staff; fostering collaboration and consensus building.
• Training, education and certifications are strongly desired. Experience in higher education, STEM-related fields and specifically in a university system or industry, is highly desirable. Five years of progressive experience and demonstrated effectiveness leading diversity and inclusion related initiatives and programs is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.