Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Application
Details
Posted: 12-Oct-24
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Salary: 44,156.00 - 999,999,999.00
Internal Number: 365119
The Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a key member of the University of Minnesota Law Schoolâ™s senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Dean. This role collaborates with law school and university leaders, students, faculty, and staff to build consensus around and advance a shared vision for forward progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This leader will focus on collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders to co-create and direct strategic initiatives; lead educational programming and training to advance the Law Schoolâ™s DEI goals; support the Law Schoolâ™s diverse student community; and contribute to recruitment efforts.
The ideal candidate is a skilled professional with expertise in DEI best practices and a strong ability to foster partnerships, community-building, engagement, and accountability across the Law School and beyond. They will do their work with an increasingly diverse student community at the Law School, within a culture of open dialogue, academic freedom, diverse perspectives and viewpoints, and deep respect for others.
*Relocation Assistance Available*
Working environment: In person
Job Duties:
Direct Strategic Initiatives in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - 30%
Direct, build consensus, and lead efforts to establish and strengthen strategic initiatives around diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement at the Law School.
Guide a comprehensive and integrated approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion work, synchronizing and leveraging current efforts and initiatives and introducing new concrete actions to move the Law School forward in this crucial area.
Partner with key stakeholders, including student affinity groups, senior staff, faculty, and alumni, to identify needs and to advance individual department DEI goals and Law School institutional goals. Strategically engage faculty, students, and staff to develop and lead a shared vision.
Form internal and external partnerships, including with area practitioners, to build initiatives that advance the Law Schoolâ™s goals in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Coordinate DEI initiatives with both the Law School and University, including partnering with the Universityâ™s Office for Equity and Diversity, the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life, the Disability Resource Center, and the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office.
Communicate internally and externally about the Law Schoolâ™s ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Work closely with the Deanâ™s Office, Communications, and Advancement to align external messaging about the Law School DEI goals and initiatives.
Benchmark, measure, analyze, and report on progress toward diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Collect and analyze data, information, and stakeholder input to inform decision-making and make recommendations.
Serve as an expert resource on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and trends in legal education and legal practice.
Lead Educational Programming and Training to Advance Diversity, Equity, and inclusion - 30%
Plan and coordinate educational programming and training for all Law School constituencies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, including community-wide climate and culture programming intended to foster an equitable, supportive, respectful, and professional environment at the Law School.
Serve as a resource to faculty to help them integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and topics into the classroom and learning environment, including in doctrinal classes, law clinics, and legal skills courses.
Examine the Law School and Universityâ™s existing diversity, equity, and inclusion education and training infrastructure and strategize to increase access, broaden content, deepen engagement, and ensure cross-University cohesion in service of the student experience.
Collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, and student affinity groups to establish priorities for programming, identify unmet needs, and ensure continuity and consistency in educational opportunities on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leverage University resources and experts, and engage resources from outside the University when needed.
Lead program development needs, including orientation, curriculum development, student and peer leader training, staff and faculty training, and other training and classroom needs related to inclusive classrooms, hiring practices, and development of staff and faculty.
An opportunity to teach courses at the Law School on topics related to DEI may be available based on the Assistant Dean's expertise and preferences as well as institutional needs.
Support a Diverse Student Community - 20%
Collaborate and partner with student-facing offices, including Student Affairs, the Career Center, and Academic & Bar Support, as well as with senior leadership, faculty, staff, student affinity groups, and alumni, to shape strategy and coordinate school-wide efforts to foster a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
Serve as a strategic advisor and counsel to the Dean and as a critical senior leadership team member on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including bringing a DEI lens to institutional decision-making.
Develop and build on the Law Schoolâ™s existing programs and initiatives to advance equity and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and representative learning and working environment, including the Racial Equity and Justice Milestone program.
Support Recruitment Efforts for a Diverse Law School Community - 20%
Support the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff, and student body in collaboration with the Dean and leadership, Admissions, the faculty, Human Resources, and other stakeholders at the University and Law School.
Assist the Admissions team in student recruiting by reading select applications when requested, connecting with admitted students in person and virtually, and assisting with pipeline initiatives.
Identify policies and practices that support recruiting and retaining diverse senior leadership, faculty, staff, and students, reducing implicit bias and hiring and recruitment barriers.
Lead processes to embed the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the selection, training, support, and advancement of faculty, staff, and students at all levels, collaborating on efforts to ensure that the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in the organizational culture and structure.
Required Qualifications
An advanced degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in advancing DEI goals; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated track record of leadership and consensus building in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in a law school, the legal profession, college or university administration, or a related field.
Demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining productive relationships.
Capacity to effectively communicate and work collaboratively with staff, faculty, and students and at all levels.
Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural, and public communication skills; leadership, problem-solving, and consensus-building capacity; knowledge about universities, faculty governance, academic freedom, and the academic setting; counseling and advising expertise; professional judgment and discretion.
Ability and experience in analyzing data and surveys, producing narrative and data reports and presentations, and developing tools to measure progress toward programmatic goals.
Preferred Qualifications
J.D. preferred.
5 to 10 years of experience in developing and implementing institutional DEI programs and leading DEI activities, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.