Assistant Director of Intercultural Initiatives

Position Overview

The Assistant Director of Intercultural Initiatives is a full-time, 12-month position with evening and weekend responsibilities and will report directly to the Assistant Dean of Intercultural Initiatives.

The Assistant Director of Intercultural Initiatives is an integral part of the team that promotes a campus environment that is inclusive, supportive and respectful of all community members. They will provide direction and oversight of leadership training and workshops that will provide growth in different components to provide student development. Additional responsibilities include coordinating intercultural affiliated programming, supporting and advising all student organizations and student based events and programs associated with diversity, equity and inclusion. The Assistant Director of Intercultural Initiatives is expected to manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines, ensure compliance and consistency with college policies and procedures, and provide exceptional customer service.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute both on and off campus events and activities that further the mission of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Events include but are not limited to Unity in Diversity Days, Breaking Bread and Heritage Months.
• Oversee Unity House operations, including serving as point of contact, responding to visitors, phone calls, managing web pages , social media, scheduling space for events, overseeing access, and monitoring maintenance of the physical space.
• Design and facilitate campus wide training in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion for undergraduates and graduate students. These trainings include but are not limited to the Diversity Badging program and Safe Zone training.
• Manage and support Peer Mentoring programs that support the transition and retention of our International, First-Generation and BIPOC students.
• Assist in the advising of student clubs and organizations dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and promote dialogue, leadership development, and student programming support through the Office of Student Involvement.
• Develop new innovative programs to enhance topics such as professional development, leadership, and academic excellence for our International, First- Generation, and BIPOC populations.
• Serve as the representative and campus liaison for the Unity House and work to collaborate with other offices on campus. These offices include Resident Life, Orientation, Admissions, Career Center and Office of Student Involvement.
• Present and facilitate sessions at Admissions, Orientation and other signature events of Merrimack College such as Orientation Days, Open House and Admitted Student Days.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of all Intercultural Initiatives and Unity House programs and events.
• Supervise, train, and hire the student staff that support initiatives within the Unity House.
• Serve as a liaison to the Admissions Office to support International students with any compliance status obligations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in related field required
• At least 2-3 years professional experience working in higher education or related field
• Commitment to and demonstrated ability to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion issues into work with diverse student populations in both individual and group settings.
• Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programming, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Exceptional in person and written customer service as the first point of escalation in the office and on the phone.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing demands in a calm and friendly manner.
• Ability to work independently and use discretion and independent judgment in decision making.
• Availability to work a flexible work schedule that could sometimes include nights and weekend responsibilities.
• Advanced Computer Skills (Microsoft Office word, excel, publisher). Experience with Jenzabar or other higher education databases, Google Suite, webpage editing knowledge.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.

Vaccinations and Remote Work 

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and some 1,400 graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College comprises five schools: liberal arts, science and engineering, nursing and health sciences, the Winston school of education and social policy, and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 240-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in the towns of North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, coming in 34th out of 175 schools ranked in the Regional Universities North category in 2022. Merrimack also ranked 3rd in the Most Innovative Schools category. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.