Executive Director, Belonging and Servingness

Executive Director, Belonging and Servingness

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a forward-thinking, student success-oriented team of professionals committed to its role in strategically engineering and implementing the co-curricular out-of-class student experience. Staff members within the Division of Student Affairs are expected to positively contribute to our mission of supporting students in the co-curricular environment and provide an experience that inspires students academically, intellectually, personally, and emotionally.

The Executive Director, Belonging and Servingness is a high-level campus leader responsible for fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported with special emphasis on students from diverse, marginalized, and historically underserved backgrounds. The Executive Director, in collaboration with the Vice President for Student Affairs, sets the division's vision for student success initiatives related to belonging and servingness, ensuring they align with broader institutional goals for equity and inclusion. Additionally, the Executive Director provides administrative leadership, vision, and direction to the university's Cultural and Resource Centers, including supervision of the directors of APASS/NASS, the Csar Chvez Cultural Center, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, and the Center for Women's and Gender Equity.

Another key responsibility of the Executive Director is serving as Chair of the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Steering Committee, including facilitating university communications that promote a culture of belonging and servingness. They lead the university's HSI initiatives, includingbut not limited topreparing the university's annual application for HSI designation, developing and implementing university-wide signature HSI programs, and collaborating with campus partners to foster a welcoming and supportive environment. The emphasis on servingness relates directly to HSI work, moving beyond enrollment metrics to ensure the university meaningfully serves its diverse populations through tailored support and improved outcomes.

The Executive Director serves as a member of the Division of Student Affairs to:

• Provide vision, direction, and administrative leadership for the Cultural and Resource Centers including supervision of the Directors of APASS/NASS, the Csar Chvez Cultural Center, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, and the Center for Women's and Gender Equity.
• Lead the university's Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) initiatives, including but not limited to preparing the university's annual application for HSI designation and fostering a university-wide culture of servingness through the development and implementation of signature HSI programs, as well as supporting division- and department-specific programming.
• Chair the HSI Steering Committee, including facilitating university communications that strengthen a culture of belonging and servingness, and creating and supporting committees or task forces related to HSI initiatives.
• Oversee faculty fellows, graduate assistants, interns, and student workers dedicated to supporting HSI programs and services, and signature belonging programs.
• Implement and assess signature belonging programs, including Unite and Catalyst, and develop new programming that advances the university's commitment to belonging and servingness.
• Serve on the Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team, acting as a key advisor and partner to the Vice President for Student Affairs in cultivating a healthy campus climate.
• Serve on divisional and university-wide committees as appropriate.
• Collaborate with university leaders to create cultures of belonging across divisions and departments both within and beyond Student Affairs.

Job Duties:

Leadership and Vision (40%)

• Provides strategic leadership and vision to the Cultural and Resource centers.
• Provides strategic leadership and vision for Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives.
• Establishes the university-wide vision and direction for belonging, servingness, and student success initiatives, ensuring alignment with broader institutional goals.
• Provides vision and administrative leadership to Cultural and Resource Center directors by developing and implementing short- and long-term strategic plans that support student success, the centers' growth, and long-term stability.
• Ensures alignment of strategic plans with UNC's strategic plan, mission, and values.
• Engages in ethical and fiscally responsible budgeting practices, including forecasting and allocating fiscal, human, capital, and technological resources in alignment with the strategic vision.
• Serves as a "primary storyteller" and collaborator by building strong partnerships with internal departments and external community organizations, championing the university's HSI work and advancing a culture of belonging and servingness across campus.
• Conducts regular assessments and program reviews in accordance with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and other relevant professional competency standards.
• Stays informed about federal, state, and local laws related to aspects of the portfolio to proactively understand and meet emerging student needs.

University and Community Relations (30%)

• Collaborates with internal and external constituentsincluding faculty, alumni, and professional staff across campusto provide academic enrichment and personal development opportunities for all UNC students.
• Advocates for the needs of students from diverse, marginalized, and historically underserved backgrounds in the development and implementation of university policies, programs, and services through active participation on campus committees.
• Provides consultation and support to UNC administration, faculty, and staff to ensure inclusive, equity-based services that meet the needs of students from diverse, marginalized, and historically underserved backgrounds.
• Attends and, when appropriate, presents at local, regional, and national meetings, conferences, and symposia on topics related to higher education, with an emphasis on belonging, servingness, HSI initiatives, and the experiences of students from diverse, marginalized, and historically underserved backgrounds.

Student Services 25%

• Ensures that Cultural and Resource Centers design and deliver programs and services that support student success, with a particular focus on students from diverse, marginalized, and at?promise backgrounds, and aligned with the university's commitment to belonging and servingness as part of its HSI work.
• Works collaboratively with Cultural and Resource Center directors to ensure that student development opportunitiessuch as mentorship, leadership programs, student clubs and organizations, internships, employment opportunities, and graduate school preparationare consistently offered.
• Maintains an annual calendar of Cultural and Resource Center signature events that promote student development, cultural education, and identity exploration.
• Ensures Cultural and Resource Center directors develop and implement evaluation and assessment methods to measure program effectiveness and achievement of learning outcomes.
• Consults and collaborates with campus partners to create streamlined pathways for academic success for students from underrepresented and at-promise backgrounds.
• Cultivates relationships with faculty and staff to encourage integration of Cultural and Resource Center events, resources, and services into academic and co-curricular experiences.
• Develops resources, workshops, and individualized support to address the academic, financial, and personal needs of students served by the Cultural and Resource Centers, reinforcing the university's commitment to HSI aligned servingness.

General Administration 5%

• Oversees and ensures that Center Directors maintain accurate records, data, and reports related to programs, budgets, personnel, and student engagement, supporting transparency and alignment with the university's commitment to belonging and servingness as part of its HSI work.
• Supervises the preparation of annual reports that document progress toward long and short-term strategic goals, including goals connected to HSI initiatives and student-centered outcomes.
• Ensures compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines across all administrative, financial, and personnel processes, reinforcing equitable and student-centered practices aligned with servingness principles.
• Prepares for and implements the annual review process for each direct report, providing guidance that supports professional growth, accountability, and alignment with the university's belonging and servingness goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Minimum qualifications for this position is a master's degree in Student Affairs/Higher Education, Counseling, Psychology, Public Administration/Policy, or a closely related field. A doctorate in Higher Education, Educational Administration, or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a specific educational credential, depending on the relevance, depth, and level of responsibility demonstrated through the candidate's experience.

Experience:

A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, higher education, or closely related fields, with demonstrated commitment to equity-minded practice, belonging, and servingness consistent with the mission of a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

• At least three years of professional experience designing, administering, and implementing student development programs and services, with an emphasis on initiatives that support the success of Hispanic/Latine, marginalized students through culturally responsive and servingness-aligned practices.
• A minimum of three years