Assistant Dean of Diversity and Strategic Programs

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $95,000 to $108,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

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:

  • Provide strategic direction for training initiatives on cultural competency, racial diversity, gender differences, disability, sexual harassment, building a climate of equity and inclusion, professionalism, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values and maintaining compliance in collaboration with School’s stakeholders.
  • Provide specialized training initiatives with a focus on professionalism and anti-bullying. Design programs that equip individuals with the tools to address conflicts arising at the workplace, emphasizing prevention and resolution.
  • Collaborate with departments to embed conflict resolution practices into the fabric of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
  • Develop and implement school initiatives that build and support proactive, diverse inclusive, and equitable practices. Provides support related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programming.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure appropriate integration goals throughout the school. Ensure that any related risks to these goals are identified and addressed.
  • Consult with the University Title IX partners to ensure the school has an updated annual affirmative action plan, and is in full compliance with required state and federal guidelines.
  • Engage with faculty leads and core research centers to develop and support mission-relevant DEI programming.

• (25%) Engagement:

  • Collaborate with Provost Faculty Advancement Office, Undergraduate/Graduate Admission Offices and Affinity Groups, and Human Resources; Consult and partner with SEAS departments to advance efforts across the school to provide a welcoming, professional, and affirming environment for all.
  • Advocate for integrating STEM principles into diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • Collaborate with faculty and departments to ensure a seamless integration of diversity and inclusion efforts within STEM education.
  • Collaborate with departments to expand diversity in faculty, staff, and student applicants, specifically within STEM fields.
  • Design outreach programs that highlight the intersectionality of diversity and STEM disciplines.
  • Promote a culture of engagement and belonging, prioritizing diversity, professionalism, and equity initiatives, and work with external groups and professional organizations on issues related to equal employment opportunity/affirmative action, ADA, and diversity and inclusion by providing leadership and demonstrating action and accountability in advancing strategies to support these values at all levels of the school.
  • Assist in prioritizing diversity and equity initiatives and will communicate to the broader community to support and encourage actionable efforts that advance inclusiveness and professionalism. Provide solutions to shared obstacles, coordinate resources, and share expertise in best practices.
  • Design, develop, and champion initiatives that build, expand, and support inclusive employee and student populations collaboratively throughout Columbia Engineering while removing obstacles to achieve success in these areas.

• (15%) 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.
  • 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.

• (5%) Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or higher (Ed.D., PhD) preferred, with a background or training in STEM or STEM education.

  • 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.