POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Assistant Director, Latinx Student Engagement

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university and is in one of America’s fastest growing and most diverse cities. It leverages its location in the state’s largest and most dynamic city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and impactful community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte is the third largest institution within the University of North Carolina system with an enrollment of over 29,000 students. UNC Charlotte  is also the fastest growing institution in the UNC System, comprising seven academic colleges offering 171 undergraduate majors in 77 programs leading to Bachelor's degrees, 65 Master's degrees, and 24 Doctoral degrees. UNC Charlotte is proud to have 3,545 passionate and committed faculty and staff members and more than 120,000 living alumni.

The Division of Student Affairs is the 3^rd largest of 9 divisions at UNC Charlotte with over  500 employees and 20 departments. Nearly 6,000 students live on campus with another 7,800 living within walking distance of campus. There are a range of programs and services that support students’ physical and mental wellbeing, introduce them to campus life and Niner Nation and develop skills and competencies that employers desire. The staff work to create inclusive student-centered learning environments where students excel academically and develop personally into their best selves.

Department/Unit Purpose:

The mission of the Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement (IEE) is to engage and support students who hold historically minoritized identities in an effort to enhance a university culture that embraces inclusive excellence. Within this mission, the office will champion efforts for students from historically marginalized and minoritized communities to be seen and celebrated through programs rooted in cultural and social equity. IEE aims to provide affirming and transformative spaces for students to engage, show up as their authentic selves, and form a sense of belonging and mattering at UNC Charlotte.

IEE offers student-focused programs, workshops, and dialogues aimed to educate, develop, and engage students regarding various intersecting identities, providing students with opportunities to critically explore the world and engage in transformative learning experiences.

Primary Purpose of Position:

The Assistant Director for Latinx Student Engagement serves as a professional staff member in the Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement (IEE). The primary purpose of the Assistant Director position is to help Latinx students find a sense of belonging and mattering at UNC Charlotte and develop competencies to succeed at the university and beyond. This will be accomplished through a multi-tiered focus of: (1) building community, (2) developing programming efforts that support and celebrate the Latinx student population, (3) implementing knowledge and skill-building initiatives, and (4) connecting students to resources. Efforts will include collaboration with various campus partners in collective university efforts around outreach, transition, and retention efforts for Latinx students.

In addition, the Assistant Director will serve as a collaborator with the other members of IEE, Student Engagement, and Student Affairs in fulfilling the organizational mission and vision. The position requires the flexibility, ability, and willingness to work nights and weekends in structured and unstructured settings with students and campus partners. The Assistant Director for Latinx Student Engagement will report to the Director of the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement.

Summary of Position Responsibilities:

Program Development and Implementation (50%)

• Design, implement and assess yearlong cultural, professional and educationally transformative programming that enhances cultural awareness, diversity appreciation and celebrates Latinx student identities which promote the mission of IEE such as Hispanic Heritage Month programming efforts, Dia de los Muertos, Latinx Graduation, and others
• Design and implement community-building programs based upon assessed student needs and resources available with a focus on Latinx student belonging and mattering
• Advise Latinx student organizations in understanding program design and implementation
• Collaborate with University partners on efforts to develop community, belonging, and mattering initiatives for Latinx students
• Create and manage a yearly programmatic calendar with IEE and community signature events, and campus programs

Resource and Education (35%)

• Work collaboratively with IEE Director and staff team to provide administrative leadership in the area of student success for Latinx students with a focus on efforts that enhance retention and graduation
• Develop and maintain positive working and advising relationships with leaders and members of Latinx student organizations in support of their competency development and initiatives
• Mentor students and serve as a role model, providing support, encouragement, and act as a resource and point of contact for Latinx students seeking assistance, including making appropriate referrals to campus resources for extended support
• Assist students in navigating language barriers related to the university experience
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with campus partners and external community to maintain and expand network that enhances engagement and supports success of Latinx student population, resource gathering and student advising
• Use data-driven knowledge to close gaps in initiatives that enhance Latinx student experience and impacts retention
• Responsible for staying up to date on current trends affecting Latinx students in higher education 
• Research, assess and evaluate the specific needs of Latinx students and provide data and enlist resources to address those needs through interaction with appropriate divisional and university personnel
• Work in partnership with other members of the Identity, Equity and Engagement team to fulfill the office’s mission and vision related to support of students who hold historically marginalized and minoritized identities.

Management (10%)

• Provide support for the strategic direction of the unit
• Student/Graduate Student hiring, orienting, training, development, evaluation and supervision
• Budget development and oversight
• Implement event contracting processes in an accurate and timely manner
• Coordinate and provide support for marketing and promotion of initiatives in English and Spanish
• Support development of resources to expand programming opportunities
• Serve on committees and represent the department at University functions as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement

Assessment (5%)

• Collect, manage and analyze quantitative and qualitative data related to programming and use to assess participant satisfaction, effectiveness in learning outcomes, attendance, marketing effectiveness, and participant demographics
• Develop, implement and analyze assessment as directed
• Effectively use assessment to evaluate and redesign area programs and services

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution with equivalent work experience 
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in designing, coordinating, evaluating, and improving activities, programs, and services related to identity and cultural awareness, educational and/or social justice programming, and leadership program development
• Demonstrated experience effectively working and establishing rapport with complex, dynamic, and intersectional identities of Latinx students
• Demonstrated multicultural competencies in working with diverse student populations
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse set of campus and community partners 
• Organizational and communication skills
• Demonstrated oral, written, and analytical skills; exhibiting fluency in English and Spanish with solution-focused thinking 
• Experience in student identity development, advising and creating leadership development opportunities for students and student organizations
• Budget management skills
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple job requirements

Preferred:

• Masters Degree in higher education leadership/administration, student personnel, school/student counseling, ethnic studies, cultural studies, Latin American and/or Latinx/o/a Studies, sociology or related areas from an accredited institution
• Knowledge of Latin American and/or U.S. Latinx histories, cultures and intersectional identities (Latinx, low-income, LGBTQ, first-generation, undocumented, immigrant, ethnic and racial) and higher education issues
• Demonstrated record of contributions to advancing college access and success for Latinx students 
• Experience working, supporting, and advocating for undocumented/Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Knowledge about the non-homogeneous and expansive nature of the Latinx identity
• Experience working with student organizations in an advising capacity

*A background check is required for employment in this position*

*If relocating, moving expenses may be provided*

The successful candidate will demonstrate their understanding of and ability to advance UNC Charlotte's mission, vision, and guiding commitments (www.strategicplan.charlotte.edu), as well as the goals articulated in the UNC System's strategic plan (www.northcarolina.edu/impact/strategic-plan).

Interested applicants must apply online @ https://jobs.charlotte.edu/postings/55225

If you have additional questions, please contact our search committee chair:

Bryan Cotton

Email: Bcotton4@charlotte.edu

Phone: 704.687.0360

Application screening by the search committee will begin April 5, 2024

Anticipated start date no later than June 1, 2024

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. All applicants are subject to a criminal background check.

Requirements

• Start Date: No Start Date
• Education: Bachelor's Degree Required
• Work Experience: 1 - 3 years
• Part/Full Time: Full-Time

Contact / Additional Information

Interested applicants must apply online @ https://jobs.charlotte.edu/postings/55225

If you have additional questions, please contact our search committee chair:

Bryan Cotton

Email: Bcotton4@charlotte.edu

Phone: 704.687.0360