Assistant Director of Student Multicultural Affairs & Student Success Services

UMass Boston • Boston, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Student Multicultural Affairs (SMCA) and Student Success Services, reporting to the Director of Student Multicultural Affairs, plays a pivotal role within the Division of Student Affairs. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing programs, services, and initiatives aimed at enhancing student retention, graduation rates, and overall engagement. The Assistant Director will support and advise cultural clubs and organizations in planning and executing meaningful cultural programming throughout the academic year. Additionally, they will collaborate with faculty and staff to develop comprehensive, high-quality services and programs that enhance learning and support for students of color and those from varying social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. The role also includes significant budget management, student advising, staff supervision, and outreach activities to enhance visibility and support for all vulnerable and historically marginalized groups, with a particular focus on students who identify as DACA, TPS, or immigrants.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Multicultural Studies, or a closely related field required.
• Ability to work and participate in evening and weekend events and contribute to the ongoing development of 24/7 events.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to guide, advise, and support students from varying social, economic, cultural, and immigration backgrounds, including domestic immigrant students, throughout their academic careers, using sound and independent judgment.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Proven ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across a large, complex institutional environment, including students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to act independently, take initiative, prioritize tasks, manage competing responsibilities, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive and protected information.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse populations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the capacity to engage, mentor, and support students and colleagues in meaningful ways.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage work volume and meet deadlines.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, particularly in education, training, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Strong commitment to customer service and student-centered practice, ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in student affairs, multicultural programming, student leadership development, or a related area is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with student immigration status concerns and knowledge of immigration laws related to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• Strong understanding of issues related to DACA, TPS, and immigrant student support.
• Proven experience in event planning, contract negotiation, and budget management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic design, implementation, and continuous improvement of both on- and off-campus events and programs to enhance student engagement, retention, and overall experience.
• Collaborate directly with cultural clubs and organizations and identity based centers, including the Immigrant Student Program (ISP), to plan, organize, and implement diverse programs and events.
• Negotiate terms and payments with off-campus vendors for SMCA and student organizations' events, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and risk management practices.
• Plan, promote, execute, and assess Undocu Week as a signature, university-wide cultural engagement initiative, including workshops, training sessions, and events to educate and empower the UMB community on issues around immigration and undocumented statuses.
• Collaborate with the Interfaith and Spiritual Life office to develop programs, dialogues, and educational opportunities that support students in exploring the intersections of culture, identity, and spiritual or religious expression within the campus community.
• Assist student leaders in organizing and implementing identity-based programs and events (including but not limited to, designing new programming, traditional cultural and religious celebrations, educational and awareness events, and cultural graduation ceremonies, cultural celebrations, heritage month programs, religious ceremonies, etc.) to support the students and communities they represent.
• Design, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive leadership development and training curriculum for student organizations and community leaders.
• Meet regularly with students to support effective program planning, implementation, student development, and holistic identity exploration, including, but not limited to, cultural, spiritual, and community identity development.
• Work with the cultural organizations in developing, training, and supporting their e-board members.
• Curate resources and advocate for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), TPS (Temporary Protected Status), and immigrant students, ensuring culturally responsive, ethical, and legally informed support in collaboration with the Immigrant Student Program (ISP).
• Collaborate with campus and community stakeholders to develop and advance educational opportunities, referral pathways, and student success initiatives that address systemic barriers impacting historically marginalized students.
• Assess and mitigate institutional risk related to programming, data privacy, public visibility, and student safety for undocumented and vulnerable student populations.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of student employees (including but not limited to, graduate interns, community leaders, social media coordinators, etc.) focused on planning events and fostering a sense of belonging within identity-based communities.
• Serve as an advisor to undergraduate student cultural organizations (approximately 16-20, number may vary depending on RSO and need) and at least 4-5 cultural centers within the SMCA Team, guiding organizational sustainability, leadership development, and accountability.
• Directly manage and advance the Immigrant Student Program, including organizing programs, events, and facilitation of training (e.g., Undocu Ally Training), and initiatives that support the university’s commitments to social justice, equity, and student success.
• Assist in establishing vision, goals, and objectives for the SMCA Office while handling multiple daily tasks.
• Assist with leading the development and execution of a strategic communications and outreach plan for SMCA, including oversight of social media, digital engagement, and print media to increase visibility, access, and student engagement.
• Develop and maintain a webpage, UMBeInvolved, and online media with updated information and opportunities to support students of varying cultural and spiritual backgrounds.
• Oversee the inventory and distribution of SMCA promotional items to support outreach, recruitment, and institutional visibility.
• Serve as a liaison between SMCA and campus/community partners to strengthen institutional collaborations and advance shared student success goals.
• Advise student leaders on institutional policies and procedures.
• Work with the Director of Student Activities to identify, train, and support faculty advisors for cultural centers, clubs, and organizations.
• Coordinate and co-lead campus-wide inclusion and belonging initiatives, with but not limited to the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement, Office of Global Programs, and Office of Student Activities to develop diversity and inclusion-oriented programming, workshops, and trainings.
• Assist in overseeing a budget of roughly $59,000 for cultural centers, ensuring compliance with university financial policies and procedures.
• Assist in purchasing goods and services to meet the programmatic needs of cultural clubs and organization, centers, and office needs. Administer the Pro-Card for club purchasing and reconcile monthly Pro-Card statements. Coordinate with the Controller’s Office and Procurement Office for timely financial management of student organization needs.
• Helps the Director conduct assessments of services and programs offered to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of SMCA programs and services.
• Lead the development and implementation of assessment strategies for SMCA programs, services, and student engagement initiatives, including but not limited to the student leader evaluations, Immigrant Student Program, and identity-based student organizations. Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate student participation, learning outcomes, and program effectiveness, and provide recommendations to the Director to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and initiatives that support student belonging, retention, and success.
• Prepare comprehensive written reports on student learning outcomes, program effectiveness, and emerging trends, using data to inform strategic planning, budget recommendations, and program redesign in collaboration with the Director.
• Represent the office at major campus events such as (but not limited to) Family Weekend, Open House, New Student Orientation, Welcome Days, and Commencement.
• Serve on divisional and university committees, contributing to diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Participate in new student orientation activities, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned, adapting to the evolving needs of the student population.

Benefits

• Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: Grade: 32 Salary Ranges [https://hr.umb.edu/uploads/documents/Exhibit_A_PSU_MOU78.pdf]
• This is an exempt union position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level