Director of Student Multicultural Affairs

UMass Boston • Boston, MA

1d

About The Position

The Director of Student Multicultural Affairs (SMCA) is responsible for leading division-wide initiatives and efforts to build a university community at UMass Boston in which different cultural viewpoints and diverse identities are explored, disseminated, and respected. SMCA enriches the student experience with culturally relevant services, community-building programs, individual and student organization support, identity-based peer mentoring and leadership development initiatives, student success and academic support initiatives, and community advocacy. The programs include, but are not limited to, the SMCA Student Leadership Team, a coalition of student run cultural and identity-based resource centers, the Immigrant Student Program (ISP), a mentoring and leadership development initiative for Undocumented students, especially those who have DACA or TPS designations, and the activities of culturally affiliated registered student organizations. The Director will also work to provide University connectivity for Interfaith Campus Ministries. The Director will also provide leadership and University connectivity for Interfaith Campus Ministries, supporting chaplains and faith-based student organizations while fostering interfaith dialogue, spiritual wellness, and opportunities for reflection and engagement. As a part of the Inclusive Excellence and Student Engagement Team, the incumbent will be expected to work in collaboration with Student Leadership and Community Engagement (SLCE), Student Activities, and the Center for Urban and Off-Campus Support Services (UACCESS) to better integrate student programming for this unit as a whole. In these functions, the Director will be expected to utilize high-level programming skills, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, and training of students; project management, budgeting, and fundraising; program evaluation and assessment. The incumbent will be expected to supervise all professional and student staff for the department, including the program coordinator, chaplains, student assistants, community leaders, and graduate students. This position may be assigned formal on-call duties in accordance with Article 18.3 of the contract between the University and the Professional Staff Union.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Psychology, Student Personnel, Student Affairs or a closely related field required.
• Five- seven (5-7) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, preferably in a public, urban research university setting, with increasing professional and administrative responsibilities that include: personnel supervision, budget management, and program development and implementation.
• The ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours and to maintain a flexible schedule is necessary.
• Knowledge of and ability to guide, advise and support students, build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across a large institution.
• Knowledge of higher education policies, student development theory, and best practices in multicultural education and student engagement.
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for multicultural student support aligned with organizational goals. Skilled in making strategic recommendations and initiating new initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and develop a multigenerational staff in a complex student affairs environment.
• Ability to utilize independent judgment to assist domestic immigrant students and students from varying social, economic and cultural backgrounds through their academic career.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in managing work volume.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from other cultures; demonstrated capability to deal with a diverse population of students and scholars.
• Ability to exercise good discretion and maintain confidentiality and sensitive information.
• Ability to act independently, take initiative and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to build relationships and establish collaborative partnerships across a large institutional environment.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, with an emphasis on education and training in diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Strong commitment to customer and student service.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate or significant progress towards a doctoral degree preferred.
• Successful experience with the development of assessment measures/tools and their implementation, research related to student development and student leadership, and grant development and implementation strongly preferred.
• Experience in working and advocating for Undocumented students including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations preferred.
• Familiarity with immigration laws related to DACA and TPS and experience supporting interfaith engagement, spiritual development initiatives, and collaboration with campus chaplains or faith-based student organizations is also preferred.
• Active involvement in state and/or national professional organizations in the field of higher education and student affairs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development and implementation of program policies and procedures, fiscal management, and personnel supervision related to service provision, program development and implementation, and activities for SMCA.
• Provide strategic oversight for cultural support and development initiatives serving historically underrepresented communities, including the Asian American, Black, Latinx, Women’s, and Queer Student Centers, the Indigenous Hub, the Immigrant Student Program, Interfaith Campus Ministry, and 33 cultural and 11 religious student organizations, advancing leadership development and community engagement efforts.
• Recruit and supervise staff, mentors, and student leaders as needed to support the work of SMCA.
• Supervise staff and student employees in the creation of a broad, diverse calendar of SMCA events and activities as well as participation of student organizations in University-wide events each year, including attendance at events when appropriate.
• Mentor and coach UMass Boston participants in various national student and student affairs associations, as well as for graduate and undergraduate student workers assigned to support programs under SMCA.
• Prepare and/or review appropriate personnel action documents, including applications, job descriptions, time sheets, promotion/demotion actions, resignation/termination forms.
• Partner with Student Activities to establish and refine policies and procedures that support the continued growth of student organizations, promote leadership opportunities, and ensure compliance with university policies, risk management protocols, and fiscal accountability.
• Provide culturally relevant, student-centered, identity-based resources and services to help students achieve their social and educational goals.
• Collaborate with campus partners to implement innovative programs, services and support initiatives to increase engagement among target populations, and raise campus-wide awareness of their diverse cultures, histories, experiences, and current issues.
• Maintain a visible and recognizable presence in the SMCA office and across campus by attending events sponsored by the division and cultural organizations.
• Develop and implement programs, partnerships, and resources that promote interfaith engagement, spiritual wellness, and values-based leadership by creating opportunities for spiritual exploration, education, reflection, and dialogue that support students of diverse religious, spiritual, and secular identities while fostering an inclusive and respectful campus environment.
• Mediate conflicts between individuals and groups as needed.
• Develop the strategic planning and assessment for SMCA, using data to evaluate program effectiveness, measure participation and satisfaction, identify areas for improvement, and track progress. Generate reports and metrics that inform decision-making, guide resource allocation, and strengthen programs, services, and engagement initiatives.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports on the progress, challenges, and barriers faced by target populations, and outline proposed enhancements for programs and holistic student support services.
• Manage the SMCA budget, including the purchase of goods and services, and work closely with SMCA’s Administration Assistant and Finance Coordinator and the Division of Students Affairs’ Director of Finance and Administration.
• Lead grant development, implementation, and research efforts related to the needs of the SMCA and coordinate such efforts with other units within and outside of the Division of Student Affairs.
• Collaborate with other campus units and offices, including (but not limited to)those under Academic Affairs, and with community groups and organizations, to develop and implement co-curricular learning opportunities and initiatives that promote student development, student engagement, student leadership, spiritual exploration, and service learning (local, national, international experiences) for SMCA.
• Partner with campus and community stakeholders to advance the vision and mission of the University and UMass System, and to address specific goals and priorities related to the academic mission, student recruitment/retention/graduation, research, diversity, antiracism, globalism and transnationalism, civic engagement and service, and entrepreneurism.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Student Affairs partners, the Offices of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, Undergraduate Admissions, SEAS, academic schools/departments, student organization advisors, and other key partners to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of SMCA’s support services.
• Oversee the SMCA's marketing strategy to engage both cultural communities and the broader student body. Manage the creation of culturally relevant and inclusive content across platforms to promote SMCA and its programs.
• Supervise the development and maintenance of SMCA’s communication platforms, including website, UMBeInvolved, and social media channels, ensuring timely dissemination of resources, opportunities, and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with unit colleagues to implement training and creation of outreach materials for SMCA staff and students on a variety of topics, including leadership, teambuilding, conflict resolution, diversity, antiracism, multiculturalism, and assessment.
• Cultivate supportive partnerships with student organization advisors by providing guidance, training, and resources to strengthen advising practices and effectiveness, strengthen student leadership development, and ensure alignment with university policies and student engagement goals.
• Assist with incident management and support in the wake of student incidents, crises, or other matters pertaining to students’ sense of belonging.
• Provide advocacy, front-line support, and referrals for individual students, assisting with problem-solving and responding appropriately to challenges and/or crisis.
• Educate and advise students about institutional policies, related legal matters, and fiscal responsibility.
• Instruct about ethics, diversity, and other critical values for a successful multicultural community.
• Provide input on policies and procedures for the Division of Student Affairs.
• 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 and task forces, where appropriate, to represent SMCA.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to adapt to the evolution of the student population.

Benefits

• The position may be assigned formal on-call duties in accordance with Article 18.3 of the contract between the University and the Professional Staff Union.

What This Job Offers

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