ALANA Program Manager

Vassar College • Poughkeepsie, NY

23d

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of the ALANA Center, the Program Manager is responsible for enhancing the student experience for African American/Black, Latinx, Asian, and Native American students while building links to the broader campus community. This role drives student inclusion through intentional program planning, leadership development, and community engagement, while inviting the entire student body into antiracist work. As a key member of the Student Growth and Engagement team, the Program Manager works within a collaborative environment of administrators and student leaders. This position will organize affirming programming that allows students to focus on their academic and co-curricular interests in a welcoming, supportive space designed to help them thrive.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Minimum of three years of progressive leadership experience in college student development, higher education management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive communities, with specific knowledge of the historical, cultural, and developmental experiences of Native American/Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian/Asian American, Pacific Islander (A/API), and multiracial/ethnic communities.
• Outstanding organizational and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex tasks successfully.
• Ability to affirm, advocate for and relate to students from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, using a high degree of judgment and confidentiality.
• Advanced cultural sensitivity and a proactive willingness to pursue ongoing education and training on equity and justice topics.
• Proven experience leading workshops and facilitating dialogues for students, faculty, and staff on topics such as cultural competency, equity, and belonging.
• Demonstrated competency in social media management and digital content delivery to engage a modern student population.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Social Work, Ethnic Studies, or a related field.
• Proven track record of designing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale student programs, award ceremonies, and heritage month celebrations.

Responsibilities

• Manage program budgets, procurement card reconciliation, and data reporting to ensure fiscal and operational accountability for ALANA initiatives.
• Partner with the Director and ALANA team to design and implement signature annual programming, including affinity graduations, award ceremonies, orientation events, and heritage month celebrations.
• Design and facilitate campus-wide training on relevant topics including race, anti-racism, and social justice, as requested by the college community.
• Coordinate with Faculty and Administrators of color to organize year-round programming that supports the specific needs of students of color.
• Develop strategies and programs for historically underrepresented groups that promote dialogue, campus engagement, student success, holistic wellness and development, mattering and a sense of belonging while equipping students with career and leadership competencies.
• Assist with managing overall marketing and branding of the ALANA Center, including digital, website, print and promotional materials.
• Provide individual consultation and on-going advocacy for students within cultural communities to ensure the quality of their academic and social experiences.
• Serve as a liaison to internal departments (e.g., Admissions, Counseling, Student Financial Services) and external regional partners, including student organizations at other colleges.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees