Bard College at Simon's Rock: the Early College
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Dean of Equity and Inclusion

Simon’s Rock is a residential undergraduate college of the liberal arts and sciences that strives to cultivate and maintain a welcoming environment of equity and inclusion. Simon’s Rock is the nation’s only four-year college specifically designed for younger scholars. Located in Great Barrington, the college is a unit of Bard College located in Annandale-on-Hudson in New York.

Position Description

The Dean of Equity and Inclusion will provide visionary direction and active leadership for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Bard College and Academy at Simon’s Rock. A strategic leader, the Dean is an advocate for early college and social justice, and a passionate steward of the mission and values of the College and Academy. Working closely with Students, Faculty, Staff, Administration, and the Board of Trustees, the Dean of Equity and Inclusion will continue current initiatives and strengthen ongoing institutional efforts towards our strategic goal of an inclusive community.

Responsibilities

  • Chair the Council for Equity and Inclusion, and spearhead related task forces
  • Oversee the Owl’s Nest Center for Social Justice and Culture, a student driven, institutionally supported space for students to gather, connect, and hold events.  
  • Select, train, and guide the Owl’s Nest Peer Mentors
  • Work alongside the Co-Chair of the Council for Equity and Inclusion
  • Chair the Bias Response Committee and respond to incidents with restoration and education
  •  Plan programming and events such as the Affinity Graduation, Symposium for Social Justice and Inclusion, The W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Lecture, Pride Week, and Faculty/Staff Lunch Chat series
  • Design and conduct cultural competency trainings for faculty, staff, and students
  • Offer a student orientation event to provide a baseline training around privilege, and unconscious bias while also introducing new students to the Council for Equity and Inclusion
  • Train search committees on recruitment strategies for greater diversity
  • Manage the department budget
  • Conduct, analyze and report on the bi-annual campus climate survey
  • Supervise and mentor student staff
  • Support student affinity groups and Council for Equity and Inclusion subcommittees
  • Advocate for historically underrepresented groups to increase a sense of belongingness on campus
  • Report to the Board of Overseers to discuss advances on the strategic priorities
  • Represent the college at Admissions events for prospective families
  • In partnership with the Provost’s Council, make strategic, intentional institutional decisions that align with our mission and vision for the future
  • In partnership with the Provosts Council, develop and implement policies and practices that promote an inclusive community of students, employees, families, and alumnae
  • If desired/appropriate, teach one class in an area of expertise
  • Serve as a community resource on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, sharing best practices and relevant research, and bringing outside experts
  • Track trends in the educational field related to DEI and attend appropriate professional development opportunities
  • Serve on committees as needed
  • Maintain an active presence on campus and advise the Provost’s Council, faculty, staff, and students on DEI matters
  • Work collaboratively across departments

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Master’s Degree and/or at least 5 years of leadership in a DEI position
  • At least three years of leadership experience in an educational organization or equivalent
  • Commitment to building a school culture rooted in innovation, inclusion, leadership, adaptability, and excellence
  • Highly developed emotional intelligence, empathy, intersectional approach
  • Strong collaboration skills with an ability to work with multiple teams to accomplish complementary and simultaneous goals for common purpose
  • Ability to work with and communicate effectively with students, colleagues, parents, and members of the public in a diverse population
  • Excellent communication, listening, and facilitation skills
  • Ability to problem solve efficiently and think critically, and to make purposeful decisions
  • Demonstrated experience in articulating strategic vision and bringing it to life
  • Ability to build a team based on mutual respect and collaboration
  • Highly organized and detail oriented with the ability to manage time sensitive needs
  • Experience empowering others to achieve community goals
  • High ethical standards and an awareness of appropriate boundaries as well as sensitivity and respect for the needs of students attending an early college
  • Commitment to the Simon’s Rock Mission and Core Values and the Bard Network Equity Code of Conduct

APPLY

Bard College at Simon’s Rock is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all ethnic groups, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and socioeconomic levels and will provide qualified people with reasonable accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or any other applicable state or local laws.

This is a full-time, 12 month position reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President of Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Please send a letter of interest, resume and contact information for four references to provostadmin@simons-rock.edu with Dean of Equity and Inclusion Search in the subject line. No phone calls please. This position is open until filled.