JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Residence Life Office is looking for a dynamic and energetic individual to join the team.

The Senior Associate/Associate Director of Academic and Strategic Initiatives has direct responsibilities for several areas within the department. Areas of responsibility include Living Learning Communities (LLC), Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), residential curriculum, student leadership development, and research and assessment. This position supervises the Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Student Affairs and Residence Life, the Assistant Director for Student Leadership, and two Living Learning Community (LLC) coordinators.

Areas of responsibility:

Living Learning Communities

• Lead and set the direction of 24 Living Learning Communities (LLC)

• Build and maintain relationships with College partners

• Supervise two LLC coordinators

• Work with area staff for day-to-day functions such as active status requirements, preferred contract process, and financial spending for the LLCs in residence life

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Supervise the Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Student Affairs and Residential Living

• Support, grow, and indirectly supervise the Inclusion, Diversity Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) ambassadors’ program

• Develop additional educational initiatives in Student Affairs and Residence Life

• Serve as Residence Life’s liaison to additional advocacy units, including, but not limited to: the Multicultural Resource Center; Paul Robeson Cultural Center; Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity; and Gender Equity Center, Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development

Residential Curriculum

• Develop, implement, and assess the residential curriculum on the University Park campus

• Train professional staff on appropriate instructional methods for the curriculum

• Work closely with the Assistant Director for Commonwealth Campuses (CWC), who consults and trains campus staff on the residential curriculum model

Student Leadership Development

• Supervise the Assistant Director for Student Leadership in their responsibilities of: RA selection, development and implementation of the student leadership class, advising student government in the residence halls, and provides additional leadership opportunities for students

• Advise the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) on the University Park campus

Research and Assessment

• Serve as a liaison with the Student Affairs Research and Assessment office and oversee the day-to-day assessment work for the unit including planning, implementation, data collection, analysis, and reporting of assessments for the 12 residential campuses.

• Provide training on appropriate assessment approaches and techniques.

• Utilize of assessment results in programmatic and strategic planning decisions.

• Assist in the dissemination of assessment data and findings to internal and external constituents

• Coordinate the strategic planning committee and departmental strategic plan efforts

Senior Leadership

• Be an active participate on the senior leadership team, lending your voice and experience to large decision-making processes

• Serve as a resource for central Residence Life professional staff dealing with student crisis situations; coordinate staff response and appropriate referral to campus resources (counseling, University Police, and academic departments, etc.)

• Participate in the weekend back-up central duty rotation for University Park

• Accomplish other duties, which will be assigned as needed

Requirements :

• Requires a Master’s degree or higher with five year of related experience A Master’s degree plus 8-10 years of professional experience is preferred

• Experience with and knowledge of a residential based curriculum

• Must demonstrate a commitment to the development and enhancement of a community where diversity, co-curriculum, and sustainability are valued

• Experience responding to and supporting students through crisis situations

• Required to be part of an on-call duty rotation and live within 15 miles of campus. Employment with the University will require successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies

This position requires the following clearances:

• PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

• A driver’s license is required to serve as Advisor and to support student needs. If operating a university vehicle for this position, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a motor vehicle records check in addition to standard background checks.

Successful candidates must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

Penn State and Residence Life is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. The Residence Life Office is committed to the development of a safe and inclusive living-learning community that fosters academic, social, cultural, and personal growth. We strive to enable residents to develop respect and responsibility for themselves and their community.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: