Community College of Aurora Hiring for Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Aurora, CO Full Time

The Community College of Aurora, under the leadership of the sixth president of CCA, Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, is establishing a new division to drive the campus-wide vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). 

The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will work with the president, senior leaders, faculty, staff, instructors, students, and community stakeholders to increase awareness and understanding of DEI and equitable student success as an institutional imperative. 

 The Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a new position reporting to the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and is responsible for assisting the VP of DEI with the creation of the new Cultural Center and implementation of DEI-related programming for the Community College of Aurora community. 

Through integrated delivery of DEI training, program development and DEI campus-wide initiatives, the Director of DEI plays an important role ensuring that CCA continues to recognize and value the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion throughout all levels of the institution.

 Inspired by CCA’s institutional vision to “be the college where every student succeeds,” this position will lead efforts to create an environment and implement co-curricular activities for students that value their lived experiences, respects their identities and encourages their development, belonging and success.

As a member of the DEI Division, the Director of DEI will produce efforts in alignment with the DEI Mission and Vision for the institution, assist in the advancement of the Guided Pathway Model and the Achieving the Dream Principles, and support the efforts to improve recruitment, retention, persistence and completion of all students. CCA strives to advance the social and economic mobility of students. 

The Director must have knowledge and expertise in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and be adept at using technology to encourage engagement of students in various modalities.

Leadership/Supervision

• The Director of DEI will establish a Cultural Center for CCA through: designing Cultural Center Space; establishing Cultural Center Strategic Plan, goals and objectives; identifying/implementing/coordinating programming, training and development opportunities for the Cultural Center.
• The Director of DEI will develop and implement effective systems and processes to enable a student-centered, equity-driven approach to support and encourage persistence and completion in alignment with the Guided Pathways Model
• Provides primary leadership for the Cultural Center staff including supervision and performance management, providing direction, resolving work problems, communicating job expectations, training employees, and developing professional growth opportunities.
• Continually reviews and updates processes and procedures to ensure departmental operations are equitably serving students with desired outcomes.
• Promote/encourage college commitment to a climate that values diversity, equity and inclusion
• Assist with the development of network of resources, and building community partnerships.
• Serve on the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Equity & Inclusion Council in the absence of the VP of DEI.
• Co-lead DEI Council and support affinity groups (BFSU, LFSA, AAPI Support Affinity Group, LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group), and identity-related task forces (Undocu-Serving Task Force, LGBTQIA+ Task Force, Veterans Advisory Task Force, Student Parent Council, or HSI Committee), as appropriate.
• Assist VP of DEI in the development of Bias Response Team, complaint and conflict resolution process related to issues of bias and discrimination for students. 
• Conduct investigations related to bias and discrimination as needed. 

Assessment & Evaluation

• The Director of DEI creates, implements, and tracks strategic goals that support an environment of excellence, commitment, diversity, inclusion, integrity, respect, engagement and cooperation for students.
• In collaboration with other CCA departments and DEI Division implement actions, programming, and campus climate survey. Based on findings participate in efforts to improve campus climate.
• Gather, collect and track data, conduct assessment of programming and activities for effectiveness. Conduct evaluations and assess outcomes of DEI training sessions to make recommendations for training revisions.
• Establish intentional Student Learning Outcomes, conduct assessment and reporting of co-curricular programming.

Programming, Training & Development

• Conduct DEI student-centered programming and support through: serve as the co-advisor to the Inclusive Excellence Student Council (IESC) and identity-related student-led organizations (SLOs). 
• Develop innovative ways to increase student engagement with CCA DEI initiatives
• Provide college-wide initiatives, DEI training, and programming for students, and employees to promote dialogue about equity and inclusion, build cultural competency skills and understanding of the impact of bias and micro-aggressions. 
• Research local, national, and global issues that can inform relevance of training content and make recommendations for revisions to training content and professional developments
• Partner with Academic Success Division to support, coordinate, and execute DEI training and professional development opportunities for CCA faculty and adjunct instructors
• Develop student engagement programs and events that are equity driven, appropriate for virtual and in-person modality, and in alignment with the Guided Pathways Model.

Provide oversight of Cultural Center budget, approve and track purchasing in compliance with state, federal, CCA and the Colorado Community College system purchasing rules. 

Other duties as assigned

• A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in higher education, counseling, public administration, sociology, or other closely related fields
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and has had success working in educational settings with diverse populations of students and colleagues.
• Understanding and/or experience gathering data and conducting evaluation of program outcomes
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Must possess a leadership style that drives inclusivity, collaboration and clear communication.
• Experience developing student programming and services that encourage persistence, engagement, belonging, retention and completion. 
• Record of successful planning and budget management

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge or research in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, Inclusive Excellence, or culturally-responsive principles.
• Knowledge or experience implementing Achieving the Dream Framework
• Ability to strategically plan and create new programs that increase persistence, retention and completion of diverse student populations
• Experience working in a Community College environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, teamwork and collaboration skills
• Supervisory experience
• Experience developing and accessing student learning outcomes and co-curricular activities
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating trainings to deepen skills and knowledge on the principles of equity, inclusion, diversity or social justice 
• Exhibits a high level of energy and is open to embracing an educational environment focused on growth that requires adaptability and flexibility.
• Experience working at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) or in programs aimed at encouraging access, retention and completion of diverse student populations.

Salary Range:  Anticipated starting salary range: $67,500.00- $68,000.00. This salary is determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. CCA offers an excellent benefit plan, including generous leave, holiday, and education benefits. Full time employees immediately upon hire earn 15 hours a month annual leave and 10 hours a month sick leave.

Deadline to Submit Application Material: An initial review of applications will begin on Monday, June 13, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: When submitting your online application, please include a cover letter, current resume, and professional references. Official transcripts showing the highest degree achieved should be submitted to [email protected] upon offer of employment. If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at [email protected].

By applying for this announced position, applicants are certifying that all statements, information and documents provided are true, complete and correct to the best of their knowledge and are made in good faith. Further, applicants understand that omissions, misleading, false or untrue information, or any attempt at fraud or deceit in any manner connected with this application and/or subsequent testing may result in them not being considered for jobs with the Community College of Aurora; may constitute grounds for discipline and/or termination after hire; and/or constitute grounds for further actions pursuant to law.

Application Checklist

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A complete online application
• A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position
• A current resume uploaded as an attachment to your online application
• Candidates identified as finalists must provide three to five professional references, at least two of which must include a current direct supervisor and most recent supervisor. If you cannot provide two supervisor references, an opportunity will be afforded for discussion and consideration of alternative references with the CCA Human Resource Office. Please note, out of professional courtesy to you, we will not contact your current supervisor without first providing notice to you as a candidate and only when a contingent offer is pending in order to protect the confidentiality of your application to the full extent possible. 
• If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application
• For any questions or technical issues please contact [email protected]

Notice to all Applicants:

•  Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be produced within three (3) days of hire.
• Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
• Final candidate is subject to a criminal background check prior to final selection process.
• Final candidate is required to submit official transcripts to Human Resources within fourteen (14) days of hire.
• CCA is affiliated with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and as such, employees contribute to PERA in lieu of Social Security for retirement benefits. For more information, visit the COPERA web page.
• Individuals currently or formerly employed by the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, and/or who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in your application material.
• For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact our Title IX Compliance/Equal Opportunity Officer, Cindy Hesse, Director of Human Resources at 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway, Suite A207, Aurora, Colorado 80011 or by phone at 303-360-4752, or e-mail at [email protected]. 

Colorado Residency Requirement: 

Eligible applicants must be either a current Colorado resident or be able to provide proof of residency in Colorado within 30 days of the start date for the position, or they may be deemed ineligible for employment with the Community College of Aurora. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Community College of Aurora Inclusive Excellence Statement:  

You matter. You are valued. You belong. CCA is a community that is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion through Inclusive Excellence. We can only achieve this together. CCA embraces Inclusive Excellence because we want our students, staff, and faculty to learn and contribute within an inclusive environment. This means members of our college community will be active, respectful, and mindful of equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of engagement. Inclusive Excellence will provide a foundation for student and institutional success. Recognizing our diversity is only the first step toward Inclusive Excellence. We must also be intentional in valuing cultural differences and experiences, while incorporating them into practices, curricula, and policies.

Welcoming, Respectful, Inclusive – Together, we are CCA.

The Federal Clery Act:

(The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990) requires all institutions of higher learning to make available to prospective employees our agency’s Annual Security Report. A copy of this information is available on the CCA website at the Student Right to Know page. A paper copy of this report can be obtained at the College Security Office upon request. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning crimes that occurred on campus or on property controlled or owned by Community College of Aurora, as well as public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, our campuses.

ADAAA Accommodations:

 Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Robert Callaway at 303-360-4733 or [email protected] at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

Pregnancy Related Accommodations, Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA): 

The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), allows applicants to request a reasonable accommodation for health conditions related to pregnancy or the physical recovery from childbirth. Candidates wishing to request reasonable accommodations must do so as soon as possible, preferably at least three days prior to the exam or interview. If you are an individual who wishes to request reasonable accommodations, please contact us at 303-360-4733 or [email protected].