Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
About Drexel
Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, a comprehensive global research university and a major engine for economic development in the region. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.
About Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
The center for creativity at Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design trains the next generation of scholars, thinkers, makers, and doers in the fields of media, entertainment, design, and the visual and performing arts. Westphal offers 18 undergraduate and nine graduate majors, housed in award-winning facilities that encourage collaboration across creative disciplines. At Westphal, we reimagine the role of design, media, and the arts in building a better future. Our programs challenge students to center sustainability, access, and equity in their approaches to fashion, architecture, gaming, entertainment, and scholarship. Through experiential learning, studio-based curriculum, and Drexel’s widely-recognized Cooperative Education program (co-op), our students are uniquely positioned to face the world’s challenges and define the creative careers of the 21st century.
Job Summary
The Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) will play an integral role in (1) the oversight and growth of the College’s DEI initiatives; (2) ensuring the success of the College’s implementation of efforts recommended in the University’s Anti-Racism Taskforce’s report; and (3) leading new initiatives that advance the College’s DEI goals. The Associate Dean will support the University and College strategic plan through a focused engagement on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including those related to curricular and co-curricular programming, faculty recruitment, advancement, and retention, and more. Partnering with Westphal’s Dean and Associate Deans, Drexel’s Chief Diversity Officer and the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will lead college-wide initiatives to build a diverse, equitable and welcoming college community that attracts and retains faculty, student, and administrative talent. The successful candidate will bring a strong background in building partnerships across multiple networks, supporting and creating change, and in guiding and facilitating open and productive discourse. This position is a tenured faculty position with an appointment in the Dean’s Office. In addition to the below responsibilities, the Associate Dean for DEI will be responsible for 9-12 credits of teaching per year. Teaching load will be distributed over at least three of Drexel's four quarters, i.e., Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Service as Associate Dean continues over the Summer Quarter. As a faculty member, the Associate Dean will also hold an academic/department appointment in the college based on research expertise and teaching experience.
Essential Functions
- Lead faculty, staff, and students in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of goals related to DEI, anti-racism, and access within Westphal and maintain ongoing dialogues with all stakeholders.
- Develop and articulate programs, practices, and processes that connect equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism with organizational culture and success.
- Be a thought partner and collaborator with administrative leadership in setting annual goals for advancing DEI initiatives.
- Provide guidance, leadership, and opportunities for professional development to faculty and staff around DEI initiatives.
- Facilitate new initiatives, activities, and events that promote DEI and anti-racism within Westphal.
- Monitor and assess DEI and anti-racism outcomes as outlined in the strategic plan.
- Utilize metrics to determine effectiveness of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
- Serve as a direct liaison between university wide leadership of DEI and anti-racism work.
- Participate in senior leadership meetings, task forces, and special committees as deemed necessary by senior leadership, and inform stakeholders of activities that advance the College’s strategic priorities in around DEI work.
- Address social climate issues and propose strategies that will help the college advance in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Liaise and collaborate with areas in the college such as Curriculum Committee, Recruitment, Alumni Relations, Institutional Advancement, Student groups, etc. to support and/or improve DEI related initiatives, programs, and activities.
- Establish and maintain memberships with professional organizations that encourage and support diverse populations.
- Serve as the Dean’s representative to University committees and related groups as needed.
Required Qualifications
- A Terminal Degree - such as a Doctorate, JD or Masters - is the minimum required education for consideration.
- At least 5 years of teaching in a higher education setting. At least 5 years of leadership experience within a higher education setting
- Teaching and research experience that aligns with our college mission and vision and serves at least one major in our college.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong leadership skills with a passion for the development and implementation of proactive and robust inclusion and diversity initiatives in support of the University’s academic mission.
- Successful record of influence, community building, networking and deploying programs for the advancement of diversity and inclusion practices.
- Ability to approach diversity and inclusion through an intersectional lens, understanding how multiple statuses (e.g., race, gender, class, sexuality, nationality, religion, differences in learning, etc.) intersect to affect the experiences of students, faculty and staff.
- Possess a strategic mindset that is results-oriented and visionary, including the ability to generate new ideas for short- and long-term goals, approach situations analytically, factually and with empathy, and exercise good judgment in pursuing creative solutions.
- Professional in dealing with nuanced situations involving a variety of stakeholders.
- Outstanding communication skills in engaging with internal and external stakeholders in a manner that fosters respect, builds productive relationships, and creates alignment behind the inclusion and diversity goals of the University and College.
- Openness to coordinating and collaborating with students, faculty, staff, and administrative leaders and the ability to build consensus to address challenges and opportunities.
- Ability to build trust and credibility with marginalized communities among Drexel students, faculty, staff, as well as communities throughout Philadelphia.
- Possess an acumen in a team-oriented environment with knowledge of diversity and cross-cultural historical contexts and a commitment to social justice and equity.
- Willingness to work effectively in a culture of care and shared governance.
- The ideal candidate will currently hold tenure or have professional accomplishments supporting a case for tenure at Drexel.
Salary Information
Salary is commensurate with experience and rank, the estimated range is a $80,000-$125,000 base salary for 9 months plus a 12-month administrative stipend of $22,000.
Location
University City – Philadelphia, PA
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.
Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
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