Assistant Director of the Black Cultural Center

Berea College•Berea, KY

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of the Black Cultural Center, the Assistant Director of the Black Cultural Center administers programs and services of the Center focusing on the social, personal, and leadership development of Black students to promote their retention and academic success. The Assistant Director provides primary support, particularly regarding the leadership initiatives designed for Black male and female students, to succeed with a holistic model promoting academic excellence, social belonging, cultural competency, and preparation to make positive contributions to society. Following long-standing tradition and practice at Berea College, this position includes responsibility for supervising, mentoring, and developing students in the College's integrated Work College Program. This supports student learning, career readiness, and the program's learning goals and outcomes. The Work College Program provides a developmental framework that guides student learning while creating a structured mentorship opportunity, with role-specific training that equips faculty and staff mentors to support student development. Faculty and staff mentors play an essential part in helping students connect their work-learning-service experiences with broader academic, professional, and personal development. For faculty, this aligns with Berea's tenure and promotion criteria.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, required.
3+ years of leadership experience in higher education working directly with students in a multicultural or diversity affairs-related position.
Experience providing program and student development services, especially for students of color
Experience supervising volunteers, student employees, and/or full- or part-time professional employees.
Alignment with Berea College’s mission, values, and Eight Great Commitments.
Alignment with the Black Cultural Center’s mission, values, and strategic goals.
Exemplary oral and written communication skills.
Strong administrative and organizational skills.
Thorough familiarity with theory, research, and practice in student engagement and success, and in multicultural understanding, especially as focused on race and interracial understanding.
Ability to design and implement meaningful and high-quality co-curricular programs for students.
Commitment to collaboration, community partnerships, and teamwork.
Deep personal commitment to multicultural understanding.
Valid driver's license
Required background checks
Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds
Ability to travel independently by car and/or plane
Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff and faculty
Occasional travel is required for meetings, conferences, etc.
Standard office equipment: computer, fax, phone, etc.
Media equipment
Vehicle - college vans/cars

Nice To Haves

A Master's Degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Education, Black or African American History/Studies, or other appropriate field with emphasis on student development, preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Black Male Leadership Initiative (BMLI) and Black Women’s Leadership Initiative (BWLI) to ensure appropriate budgetary spending, term-based outcomes, academic curriculum, mentorship for students, as well as professional development opportunities and other duties as assigned.
Assist the Director with leading onboarding and training for student leaders, including Work-Learning-Services (e.g., Labor) student team, Registered Student Organizations leaders, and others students, as assigned.
Budget, expend, and manage grant funding that supports the Center’s operations and staffing.
Identify, apply, and obtain additional grant funding to support the Center’s strategic goals.
Prepare and submit grant reporting as required by grantor to remain in good standing and receive opportunities for grant renewal.
Provide support services and programs for Black students, including orientation, counseling, mentorship, coaching, advising, conflict resolution, advocacy, and leadership development.
Provide program, services, and support for Black students to enhance the quality of their educational experience and promote their academic success.
Plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate programs and events promoting cultural understanding and education, emphasizing the distinct contributions and experiences of people that identify as Black, African American, and/or of African descent.
Collaborate with the Program Coordinator of the Black Cultural Center to create a year-round programming calendar, ensuring equitable access for students to engage with programs and initiatives.
Partner with College Admissions in the recruitment and orientation of Black students.
Assist the Director in management of Center budget, space, and resources.
Assist the Director with operations for the Sankofa Scholars Program, along with other signature Center programs and events assigned.
Assess effectiveness of assigned programs and services through comprehensive data collection, reporting, and evaluation to track engagement, retention, and academic outcomes
Deliver regular presentations to the college leadership, shared governance bodies, faculty, staff, students, parents/families, and community members.
Serve on campus-wide committees as assigned by the Director to broaden the involvement and advocacy for the Black Cultural Center and the Black student experience.