Dean for Equity and Belonging

Job description

Overview

Division: Student Affairs
Department/Office: Center for Intercultural Development

Advertisement:
St. Catherine University and Student Affairs invite applications for a full-time Dean for Equity and Belonging .

The Dean for Equity and Belonging develops and supervises comprehensive retention and support services for international students and students from historically underrepresented identities and cultures at the University, including students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, and international students.

The Dean also oversees the staff, programming, and strategic direction of the Centers for Equity and Belonging, Student Accessibility and Accommodations, and Access and Success.

This position functions as a key resource for enhancing the collegiate experience, retention, and completion of these student populations at St. Kate’s through direct service, advocacy, and education.

Additionally, the Dean manages and coordinates equity, inclusion, and belonging education and training for all students.

Reporting to the SVP for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging, the Dean for Equity and Belonging will serve as a key thought partner on larger strategic efforts.

The Dean is part of the on call director level rotation.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and Manage the Centers for Equity and Belonging.
  
  
• Responsible for the development of a comprehensive program plan focusing on co-curricular diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging education and programming for all students.
  
  
• Supervision and leadership of professional staff, as well as student employees, interns, and volunteers.
  
  Provide leadership for assignment of duties and the organizational functions of the office.
  
  
• Partner with academic and non-academic departments to build bridges, remove barriers, support, and advocate for a positive campus-based experience for historically underrepresented students.
  
  
• Ensure the ongoing collection, analysis, reporting, and application of data on the Center’s programs/services to continually improve and support student satisfaction, success, retention, and sense of belonging.
  
  
• The Dean collaborates with Human Resources and relevant University offices to respond to bias incidents and help establish systems that ensure just, restorative, and equity-minded approaches to addressing bias-related concerns.
  
  This position also serves as a member of the University’s Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT).
  
  
• Responsible for preparing and overseeing the budget of the Centers for Equity and Belonging.
  
  
• Provide strategic oversight and administrative leadership for the Student Accessibility and Accommodations, Centers for Equity and Belonging, and Access and Success programs.
  
  
• Supervise staff and oversee services that ensure students with disabilities and those from underserved backgrounds receive appropriate support and accommodations.
  
  
• Ensure compliance with federal and state disability laws, including ADA and Section 504, and promote inclusive practices across campus.
  
  
• Collaborate with faculty, student services, and academic departments to ensure equitable access to learning environments.
  
  
• Use data and assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness, identify barriers, and implement improvements that support student persistence and success.
  
  
• Lead proactive outreach and education initiatives that build awareness of accessibility and inclusion across the University.
  
  
• Advocate for systemic improvements that enhance access and equity for students with disabilities, first-generation students, and others served by Access and Success.
  
  
• Oversee and manage program budgets, staffing, and resources to align with institutional priorities and student needs.
  
  
• Primary Office Collaboration with University Departments and Offices, in particular, Academic Affairs, Public Safety, Counseling, TRIO, Campus Life, Dean for Students Affairs, and Athletics.
  
  
• Establish and foster links between the units it oversees and faculty and staff via formal and informal processes and programs aimed at student success;
• Serve as a trained back-up for institutional SEVIS obligations and support staff who have primary responsibility for coordinating International student SEVIS-related needs.
  
  
• In collaboration with the SVP for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging and the Dean for Student Affairs, offer system-wide training on privilege, systemic oppression, microaggressions, identity issues, inclusion, and student issues to faculty, staff, student leaders, classes, and other groups; serve on college committees, and assist with diversity grants and in policy decisions pertaining to students; participate in Student Affairs Leadership and Division meetings and activities.
  
  
• This role has on-call responsibilities in the director-level duty rotation.
  
  

Employees at St. Kate’s feel a deep connection to the University’s Mission and Vision, and they live their values at work.

Benefits available to full-time employees include:

• Three weeks of accrued vacation time as well as fourteen (14) paid holidays and six paid “gift” days when the university is closed
• Free tuition for employees and reduced tuition for their families after one year of service
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403b retirement plan access
• Six weeks of paid parental leave after one year of service

St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a comprehensive Catholic university and home to one of the nation’s largest colleges for women, with associate and graduate programs for all genders.

Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, the University integrates liberal arts and professional education within the Catholic traditions of intellectual inquiry and social teaching.

Committed to excellence and opportunity, St. Catherine enrolls students in certificate, associate, baccalaureate, master’s and

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field, and five (5) years experience in program administration and delivery of services or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing a budget.
  
  
• Program administration should include progressive experience in a leadership role directly related to inclusive practices and equity and belonging in a higher education setting.
  
  
• Experience building community and researching and assessing industry trends to identify opportunities.
  
  
• Appreciation of, and experience working with a culturally, religiously, socio-economically diverse student population & first-generation college students.
  
  
• The ability to manage multiple projects at once, an ability to work independently, and a demonstrated ability to build bridges between academic and non-academic departments.
  
  
• The ability to lead campus-wide initiatives and lead campus conversations with colleagues from various areas of the University.
  
  
• Awareness, knowledge and skills around issues of intersecting identities, privilege, and systemic oppression, especially as it relates to race, class, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity.
  
  
• Excellent organizational and group facilitation and training skills.
  
  
• As a key thought partner with the Dean for Student Affairs and the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging, the Dean for Equity and Belonging will contribute to setting the overall vision of the division and to achieving our goal of integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of student life.
  
  
• The Dean will work with divisional leaders both to create a student experience that is characterized by belonging, engagement, and mutual respect and to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the division.
  
  This includes chairing committees and working teams, conducting assessments and climate surveys, and developing division-wide initiatives.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• An EdD, PhD in Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Student Personnel, Sociology, or a related field.
  
  
• Experience leading initiatives related to intercultural development on a college or university campus.
  
  

We seek creative, adaptable staff who enjoy working in a university climate that promotes cultural diversity, multicultural understanding, and cultural fluency.

Consistent with the university’s commitment to women, diversity and social justice, preference will be given to candidates who manifest these themes in their experience and service.

Posting Number: -STAFF
Application Deadline: 10/2/2025

Required Skill Profession

Ciencia, Investigación Y Enseñanza