Assistant Director of Diversity Initiatives, Law School

Capital University•Columbus, OH

About The Position

As a member of the Law School’s Office of Student Affairs, the Assistant Director of Diversity Initiatives helps foster an inclusive environment that supports students’ academic and professional success. Reporting to and working closely with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, this position advances initiatives to strengthen recruitment, retention, and the overall experience of a diverse student population, including students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. The role coordinates and facilitates programming, projects, and services that contribute to a welcoming and supportive student experience. The Assistant Director develops programming and support services; advises students; supports student affinity organizations; coordinates major awards, scholarships, and school events; and participates in the University’s Bias Education and Response Task Force. The role also collaborates with Law School and University offices, faculty, students, alumni, and community partners on efforts to foster an inclusive learning environment and increase diversity in the legal profession. Additional responsibilities include tracking and reporting on progress toward diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, managing the religious holiday calendar, providing administrative support, assisting with exam accommodations, and supporting admissions outreach to underrepresented prospective students. The position requires a bachelor’s degree. A J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and experience in a law school or legal setting are preferred. Capital University offers medical, dental, vision, retirement, family education benefits, short-term and long-term disability, life and critical illness insurance, and free parking.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues as they relate to the legal profession or higher education.
Demonstrated enthusiasm for working with and serving student populations.
Demonstrated experience with program coordination and project management.
Ability to establish priorities reliably, manage deadlines, solve problems, and handle multiple tasks and projects.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong counseling skills.
Strong interpersonal skills, including relationship building, collaboration, and effective communication.
Ability to work professionally without supervision and demonstrate considerable initiative.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
Experience working in a law school or legal setting.

Responsibilities

Develop and administer workshops, trainings, presentations, panels, and cultural events that support a diverse student population and promote cultural competency and cross-cultural awareness.
Identify issues and interests to inform programming, support event logistics, facilitate group discussions, research outside speakers, and recommend future programs.
Design and implement support services to enhance the academic and professional success of students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.
Advise individual students, particularly on academic, professional, cultural, and social-emotional concerns related to traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Provide support and guidance to student affinity organizations and facilitate communication and collaboration among those organizations and other Law School groups.
Lead, in collaboration with the Office of Development, the planning and execution of the David D. White Award Reception and Esther Brocker Award Reception.
Work with the Dean of the Law School to select awardees and manage event locations, logistics, catering, programs, and RSVPs.
Oversee application and selection processes for the David D. White Scholarship and Esther Brocker Scholarship.
Serve on the University's Bias Education and Response Task Force; understand the Human Dignity and Bias Incident Policy; and track and manage reports in the Maxient system.
Evaluate bias incident reports and, when appropriate, investigate and adjudicate them and provide anti-discrimination education and training.
Assist with planning and implementing Orientation, Community Day, Commencement, and other significant events, including communications, student volunteers, event staffing, and catering.
Collaborate with student-facing offices, senior leadership, faculty, student affinity organizations, and alumni to coordinate school-wide efforts and align departmental work and needs.
Create programming opportunities or partner with existing organizations to increase diversity in the legal profession.
Monitor national trends, related laws and policies, and peer institution efforts; benchmark, analyze, and report on progress toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Manage the Law School religious holiday calendar and anticipate and manage accommodations arising from scheduling conflicts.
Provide administrative support to the Office of Student Affairs, including room reservations, meetings, scheduling, communications, programming arrangements, materials, records, grant writing, and web content.
Assist the Assistant Director of Student Affairs during peak exam accommodation periods, including proctoring exams and preparing materials.
Support Admissions outreach to recruit students from underrepresented backgrounds, attend targeted events and conferences, engage prospective applicants, and serve as an additional contact during admissions and enrollment.
Partner with Bexley campus Student Experience administrators on programming that fosters diversity and inclusion at Capital University and in the Columbus community, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning and Columbus Pride.