Director of Equity and Engagement (Confidential Executive Officer)

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility - moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond - in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

The Director of Equity and Engagement works closely with college leadership and governance to develop policies, practices, strategies, and initiatives to support LaGuardia’s mission of providing high-quality education and training to a diverse urban population in an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of all. The Director plays a critical role in fostering an inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. This role is designed to influence all aspects of campus life and organizational decision-making, ensuring that the principles of Shared Equity Leadership (SEL) are integrated into policies, processes, and practices at every level. Reporting to the President, the Director of Equity and Engagement is a member of the President’s Cabinet, and works with the Cabinet to insure an inclusive, equitable, and respectful campus environment. The Director is a thought partner and consultant to faculty and staff on inclusive pedagogy and campus climate issues, and is responsible for driving conversations and initiatives around inclusion, belonging, and community engagement across the college.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the development and execution of the college’s Shared Equity Leadership Action Plan along with the Shared Equity Leadership team, driving campus-wide initiatives to promote equity, inclusion, and belonging in enrollment, teaching and learning, student success, career success, and staff and faculty development;
• Provide high-level consultation to college leadership and governance on SEL-related issues and collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that SEL principles are embedded in the institution's strategic plans and initiatives;
• Recommend policy enhancements that remove barriers to student and employee success for historically marginalized and underserved populations;
• Use data and assessments to measure the success of SEL initiatives and to inform strategic planning. Collect feedback, analyze outcomes, and report findings to guide continuous improvement;
• Identify current research trends and creative content to design training activities that reflect best practices in Shared Equity Leadership, inclusion, and belonging;
• Partner with the Center for Teaching and Learning and academic and administrative departments to embed SEL principles into teaching, curricula, and student programming;
• Provide support to campus affinity groups (Faculty and Staff of Color Collective, Asian American Faculty & Staff Association, Lavender LaGuardia, Black Lives Matter Summit, La Casa de Las Americas, etc.). Assist with heritage celebrations, lectures, and special events;
• Consult on campus climate issues, inclusive teaching practices, and community engagement strategies. Provide ongoing support for capacity-building initiatives across the institution;
• Establish and maintain partnerships with campus, CUNY, and community organizations to guide and enhance SEL efforts;
• Develop, implement, and assess programs and services to ensure that all members of the community feel that opportunities for career advancement and/or student success are never constrained by prejudice or bias of any type.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates for the position should have relevant experience in and a personal commitment to advancing equity and engagement in an institution such as LaGuardia.
• Experience in higher education is preferred.
• Excellent communication, organizational, research, and writing skills are essential.
• Experience in human resources, training, and professional development is also valuable.
• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with large and diverse constituencies.
• Experience in workshop design and facilitation, and in creating identity-based and skill-building trainings related to SEL, engagement, and inclusive pedagogy.
• Demonstrated success in data-driven strategic planning and project management.
• Excellent planning, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to work collegially and effectively with a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, administrators, students and community partners.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

As a senior staff member serving as a confidential assistant in a Campus or University Executive's office, leads unit initiatives, participates in planning and setting priorities, and drives strategic initiatives to ensure their success.

• Participates in planning and in setting policies with responsibility for preparing aspects of strategic and operational plans
• Participates in developing and executing performance management systems to evaluate progress
• Works with other Campus and University units to oversee complex, high-priority projects, with responsibility for outcomes
• Represents the Executive in Campus or University-wide activities and may act in his/her place as needed
• Independently carries out major responsibilities under the Executive's purview, such as monitoring and evaluating unit activities, financial planning and review, serving as chair of key committees, and communications with senior Campus or University management
• May serve as Chief of Staff of a large Executive Office
• Performs related duties as assigned.

This position is excluded from union representation.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$91,878 - $136,546

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information).