Position Summary
The School of Engineering seeks a dynamic, experienced professional to fill the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Strategic Programs role. Reporting to the Senior Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs and Advancement, The Assistant Dean will be pivotal in shaping and implementing strategies to align the School's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging mission with its strategic planning and academic initiatives. The focus of this role is to address the needs of our diverse community and historically underrepresented groups in the field of engineering while fostering a culture of diversity, equity, professionalism, and inclusion throughout the School. This role 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 maintain compliance with applicable laws.
Responsibilities
(30%) Leadership:
Lead the implementation of strategic initiatives, fostering a culture of equity, diversity, professionalism, inclusion and belonging within the School of Engineering.
Partner with school leaders, faculty, students, and staff to ensure programming supports the School's values and strategic goals. Act as a school-wide ambassador for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, engaging and inspiring the internal and external community.
Coordinate with department committees on diversity, equity, and inclusion to share best practices and build synergy in programming.
Work closely with senior leaders and campus partners to advance a school-wide culture of professionalism, equity, inclusion, and belonging by providing strategic planning.
Develop and share best practices in assessment, including the development of matrices for measuring diversity performance for accountability purposes
(25%) Training and Development:
(25%) Engagement:
(15%) Reporting and Assessment:
Minimum Qualifications
At least 4-6 years professional work experience in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and advocacy
At least 4-6 years professional work experience in higher education, student affairs, academic advising, campus programming or STEM-related fields and specifically in a university system or industry
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and develop policy and procedure related to program initiatives;
Prior experience or understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in STEM-related fields within higher education.
Training and certifications in conflict resolution techniques, emphasizing their application in diverse and inclusive settings.
At least 4 years of progressive experience demonstrating effective leadership in conflict resolution and management, especially within diversity and inclusion contexts.
Experience designing and conducting assessment activities of DEI or related efforts.
Experience or strong knowledge of STEM education subject areas, emerging fields in research, and current trends STEM related industries encouraged
Strong interpersonal skills; a collaborative approach, a sense of humor; team player with strong understanding of operating in a highly matrixed, operationally decentralized work environment; capacity to engage multiple stakeholders effectively and efficiently
Ability to act independently, take initiative, build consensus, and exercise sound judgement in an agile and fast paced environment; leveraging resources both at School and University levels
Ability to respectfully lead and guide others remaining tactful and sensitive to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, cultural backgrounds, disabilities, and sexual orientations of all School community members.
Preferred Qualifications
Additional preferred qualifications include:
Success in facilitating effective partnerships with and between constituencies applying effective techniques to achieve meaningful impact
Track record of institutional change and skill in developing vision and strategies that inspire others
Training, education and certifications are strongly desired.
Demonstrated experience structuring programs to best serve the schools educational goals
Intermediate understanding of federal and state employment law and University policies and procedures, including but not limited to knowledge of issues related to Title VII and equal employment opportunity, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX,, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs' required Affirmative Action Plans,
Demonstrated effectiveness impacting and leading diversity, inclusion, and organizational change initiatives.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.