Program Manager, Africana Studies Center

Job Description:

Founded in 2006, the Africana Studies Center at Berklee has served as a resource for students, staff, and faculty to enrich, support and expand students’ relationship to Black culture and music. Now under the newly formed Africana Studies Division, serving the College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the Center has expanded its reach, influence and impact. Beyond serving the Berklee community the Center will partner with other institutional offices to continue the great strides in Afro-Diasporic student success and thriving. As a co-curricular partner to the Africana Studies Department, the next season ahead will feature: student-centered and student-led programming, faculty-led interdisciplinary research, and community engaging events.
The Program Manager of the Africana Studies Center will provide administrative and programmatic management over our student engagement (success & thriving) in partnership with our Africana Studies Department. With a growing roster of students pursuing a major and minor in Africana Studies, this position will be key in assisting our faculty with fostering a student centered co-curricular environment that privileges both performance and scholarship. Further, this position will serve as a special liaison of the Division to various cultural-based student organizations. The successful candidate will serve as the Division’s representative on the management team for the Africana Studies Living Learning Community in partnership with Residential Life. Further, the successful candidate will work with the Office of the Dean on student and community focused cultural programming.

Responsibilities

• Manage short-term and long-term strategic planning and assessment for the Africana Studies Center.

• Responsible for the management and administrative oversight of the daily activities of the Africana Studies Center including managing the Center’s master calendar.

• Manage internal and external Center communications.

• Partner with the Office of the Dean and the Africana Studies Department on management of cultural programming aimed to support the recruitment, wellness, retention and matriculation of Afro-Diasporic (Black) students.

• Work closely with the Black Scholar Initiative (BSI).

• Collaborate with the Africana Studies Department Chair and faculty to develop new Africana Studies programs, exhibits and co-curricular research projects.

• Represent the Africana Studies Center and the work of the Center at various campus-wide fairs, orientations and open houses.

• Serve as an additional resource, safe reporting partner, and stakeholder invested in the experiences of Afro-identifying students.

• Meet with and provide information about Africana Studies to prospective students and their parents who visit the college or conservatory.

• Serve as an ambassador and advocate for the vision and work of the Africana Studies Center.

• Supervise Student Workers.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) and demonstrated knowledge/ documented research with a specific focus in Africana Studies, Black Studies, Afro Diasporic studies and/ or Black Arts traditions.

• Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency in order to support a community of students who identify as African, Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, Black or African-American.

• Strong passion for Student Success with 2 – 3 years of experience in mentoring/ advising students with a thorough range of Afrocentric retention strategies and strategic planning models.

• Direct experience working with Black students, one-on-one and collectively, as well as working with and resourcing Black student organizations.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities including writing and editing skills for reports and correspondence that professionally communicates Africana Studies Center activities and policies internally and externally.

• Experience managing and reconciling budgets on a monthly basis.

• Must be resourceful, motivated, able to work independently, able to prioritize tasks based on overarching vision and timelines, and exercise sound judgment at all times.

• Must be highly motivated and detail-oriented with strong organizational and administrative skills.

• Demonstrate ability to exercise professional discretion handling sensitive or confidential information in adherence to FERPA laws in all matters of student and faculty records.

Electronic applications only. Please submit the following materials in PDF or Word format, at.  All materials should be uploaded to the Resume/Cover letter application section. Address your materials to: Dr. Mike Mason, Chair of Africana Studies Department.

● A letter of application
● A current resume or CV
● Names and contact information for at least three (3) references
 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. This search will remain open for
applications until the position is filled.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee : 

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.  Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at [email protected] or call 617-747-2375.

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:
Staff