Executive Director and Senior Diversity & Inclusion Officer

Description

The Executive Director and Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer (SDIO) reports to the President of Eastern Illinois University and serves on the President's Council. The successful candidate will be responsible for directing and managing the Office of Inclusion & Academic Engagement and supporting related initiatives that fall under Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The selected candidate will understand the importance of advancing and sustaining an equitable and inclusive campus culture, as well as support the University's Quality Initiative Strategic Plan for Diversifying Faculty and Staff at Eastern;

and will strategically align current DEIB initiatives for maximum impact to realize the power of inclusive excellence. Building on the prior work of the President's Advisory Committee on Diversity, the SDIO will collaboratively develop and convene a new campus-wide Diversity & Inclusion Council that will unify stakeholders from across campus around a shared vision in order to make a difference in the sense of belonging for all members of this close-knit academic community.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF INCLUSION & ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT

The Office endeavors to pursue, promote and maintain programs that will heighten the awareness, presence, and success of students from under-represented groups on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. The Office of Inclusion and Academic Engagement coordinates a variety of mentoring and engagement programs that support EIU's diverse student population. Specifically, the Office is responsible for planning, implementing, and supporting campus mentoring programs, cultural centers, and multicultural heritage programs, in partnership with the Divisions of Student Affairs & Academic Affairs.

The office staff includes a full-time professional position to support mentoring and heritage programs, a graduate assistant, and shared office support with plans to hire a dedicated office manager in .

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise the President and the President's Council on issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging on campus;
• Oversee day to day operations including budget oversight of the Office of Inclusion & Academic Engagement and its programs;
• Advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging on campus and serve as an ambassador of the institution in the community;
• Implement a campus climate survey on a three-year cycle with the next survey to occur in 2025;
• Identify gaps in DEIB awareness and education on campus and collaborate with campus units and initiatives specifically the Faculty Development & Innovation Center, a faculty-led initiative known as Making Excellence Inclusive, Human Resources, and the Division of Student Affairs to develop training and programming that address those needs;
• Support the EIU's Higher Learning Commission Quality Initiative and strategic plan, known as PLAN 2028, priorities for employee recruitment, employee retention, and student success;
• Collaborate with Student Affairs and advance the work of the Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity, multicultural Registered Student Organizations (RSO's) including but not limited to Black Student Union (BSU), Latin American Student Organization (LASO), National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Council, EIU Pride, and Association of International Students (AIS);
• Assist senior administrators, deans, chairs, and directors in developing and implementing assessable practices that foster a climate of inclusion, equity, and belonging in their areas;
• Support the Office of Admissions, Graduate School and other campus units in enhancing recruitment and retention strategies;
• As a member of the University's leadership team, this exempt position will include evening and weekend commitments; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ABOUT EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

EIU's attractive 320-acre campus is big enough to offer quality programs, yet small enough to offer personal attention. Founded in 1895, Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has seven (7) colleges and schools offering more than 90 academic programs in the form of bachelor's, master's and specialist's degrees.

MISSION

Eastern Illinois University is a public comprehensive university that offers superior, accessible undergraduate and graduate education. Students learn the methods and results of free and rigorous inquiry in the arts, humanities, sciences, and professions, guided by a faculty known for its excellence in teaching, research, creative activity, and service. The university community is committed to diversity and inclusion and fosters opportunities for student-faculty scholarship and applied learning experiences within a student-centered campus culture.

Throughout their education, students refine their abilities to reason and to communicate clearly so as to become responsible citizens and leaders.

VISION

Eastern Illinois University will be a premier comprehensive university, global in its reach and impact, where personal connections with…