Assistant Dean for the Center for Intercultural Engament/Director of Multicultural Resource Community

Oberlin College and Conservatory is seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual for the position of Assistant Dean of the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Director of The Multicultural Resource Commons (MRC). This full-time, 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff (A&PS) role reports to the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Intercultural Engagement. The Assistant Dean and Director will spearhead initiatives aimed at fostering student development and implementing programs that support historically marginalized identities and recognized cultural heritage organizations. Collaboration with faculty, staff, and students will be essential to create diverse educational opportunities that enhance inclusion on campus.

The Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE) is comprised of the Multicultural Resource Commons, Gender and Attraction Initiatives (GAI), Office of Religious and Spirituality (ORSL), International Student Scholar Services (ISSS), and Office of Disability and Access (ODA). Together, the CIE focuses on the intersectionality of student identities and works to build a supportive and inclusive community.

The Assistant Dean and Director will take a leadership role in addressing topical issues by collaborating with CIE, Student Affairs and academic departments. They will identify areas of concern related to justice, equity, diversity, race, and ethnicity, establishing programs and policies that respond to these needs. Additionally, the Assistant Dean and Director will also work closely with other CIE offices to address the complexities of intersecting identities, including LGBTQ+, gender, disability, religion, and international issues.

In this role, the Assistant Dean and Director will advocate for the communities served by the MRC and oversee high-level event planning, including technical support. They will provide guidance to affiliated student groups, manage departmental finances, conduct assessment, and supervise the development, marketing, and delivery of educational programs and advocacy initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.

Multicultural Advising & Coaching

• Act as adviser, mentor, and advocate for recognized cultural organizations within and outside the MRC.
• Develop strategies to enhance membership, strengthen leadership skills, and promote the advancement of each organization.
• Assist with budget management for cultural organizations and guide students in navigating college resources.
• Maintain a visible presence on campus by attending cultural organization events.

Supervision

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate MRC professional staff and student coordinators.
• Provide ongoing training to enhance customer service and event planning skills, offering constructive feedback for professional growth.
• Foster a positive work environment and maintain high staff morale.
• Undertake special projects and committee responsibilities as assigned.

Training

• Collaborate with CIE leadership to create and implement training programs that foster understanding of identity and its impact on the community and individual futures.

Space Management

• Oversee the MRC, including space reservations and collaboration with stakeholders to sustain engagement and empower students.
• Regularly assess MRC usage through surveys and maintain transparent communication about its operations.
• Advocate for facility upkeep and resource expansion within the center.

Multicultural Programming/Event Collaboration

• Develop and guide outreach programs to engage Oberlin students.
• Partner with cultural organizations and campus partners to plan events that promote cultural awareness and education.
• Participate actively in campus committees focused on student services, recruitment, and retention.
• Masters Degree in Education, or related field with at least 5-8 years experience.
• Experience in student counseling or advising. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in working with diverse student populations, including, but not limited to: BIPOC students, cultural organizations, international students, first-generation students, and LGBTQ+ students;
• Substantive understanding of diversity as it relates to the intersections of multiple identities (such as race, ethnicity, gender, attraction sexual orientation, ability, and socio-economic status).
• Demonstrated abilities to manage a budget
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, both orally and in writing; exercise effective independent professional judgment; establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, students and student organizations; and relate successfully in one-on-one and group situations with persons representing diverse backgrounds and interests.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and theories of student learning and development, and an understanding of the cultural, social, recreational, and educational needs of students.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and academic knowledge to support the development of cutting-edge programs that advance knowledge on race, ethnicity, and other social identities.
• Possess political acumen and demonstrated experience relying on creative problem-solving, flexibility, and conflict resolution.