Working Title: Coordinator for Affinity Spaces & Student Success

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

College/Division: Accessibility and Belonging

Department: 100154 - Ctr for Multicultural Student Services

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $47,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 7/30/2024

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) within the Division of Student Affairs at James Madison University invites applications for the position of Coordinator for Affinity Spaces & Student Success. This position resides within the Division of Student Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Departmental Functions Multicultural Programming & Engagement:
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Multicultural Programming and Intercultural Engagement, the Coordinator is an integral part of a team focused on strengthening and providing advocacy and support for multicultural, multiethnic students and historically marginalized communities on campus. The Coordinator will:

• Build professional mentor/coach-like relationships with students through various interactions, identify their needs, areas for growth and development, and use it to drive decision making within the cultural affinity spaces for services offered and to make appropriate referrals to campus resources etc.
• Assist, the Assistant Director of Multicultural Programming and Intercultural Engagement within the area of Cultural Education.
• Assist with the continual development of intentional and intersectional programming that supports and carries out the mission and vision, intercultural relations, and accessibility and belonging initiatives for the department, division and university.
• Assist with Cultural Heritage month programming and both small and large-scale department signature programs, services or initiatives. (e.g., Official JMU MLK program, intercultural graduation/Donning of the Kente ceremonies, CMSS awards, etc.)

Identity Based Programming, Outreach, Advocacy & Student Success:

Overall, the Coordinator will provide direction for the following culturally based spaces: Black Student Lounge, Latinx Student Lounge, Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Lounge and the Intersecting Lounge, to encompass the broad range of identities and diasporas within our multicultural center. Additionally, the coordinator will:

• 
  Provide collegial operational support to the Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Expression Department (SOGIE) for their LGBTQ+ affinity lounge (Lavender Lounge), which is house in close proximity to the CMSS affinity spaces. At the discretion and direction of SOGIE’s director, the coordinator will maintain an awareness of how the Lavender Lounge is utilized, organized, reserved, cared for and communicate to students how it can be an intersectional resource for their development and intercultural engagement. Occasionally, partner with SOGIE for collaborative programming with all affinity lounge spaces.
• Propose/assist with determining the vision, policies, processes, procedures, décor and design set up for cultural affinity spaces. Ensure the spaces are exceptionally well organized, stocked with appropriate educational and social resources, clean, accessible, fully functioning, and equitable.
• Recommend and implement goals and objectives for cultural affinity spaces.
• Develop a system to increase and encourage student attendance and use of the space, according to what students need/desire. (Each space may require different strategies to cultivate students’ sense of belonging.
• Basic research & assessment: Track attendance and use of affinity lounges and assess the summary reports to find trends and other information that may help us better serve the students who use them.
  
  • Conduct focus groups with students and occasionally survey students’ satisfaction and ideas for affinity spaces and multicultural programming etc.

IDENTITY-BASED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:

• Lead and determine a strategy for identity-based program development within each affinity space.
  
  • Determine what type of programs, activities, and opportunities each space will offer, in alignment with the CMSS mission.
  • Be present throughout the day/evening in the cultural affinity lounges outside of time needed in their office for administrative work, to be seen by and available for students who enter CMSS.
  • Take initiative to pull students in and/or welcome them into the center and introduce them to all of what CMSS (and SOGIE, in general) has to offer. Introduce them to CMSS and SOGIE staff as well as staff and resources from other Accessibility and Belonging (A&B) units. (Be familiar with all things A&B)
• Outreach & Collaboration:
  
  • Designs and promote specific activities within the Affinity & Cultural Spaces based upon student needs. Prepares updated and relevant marketing materials in the spaces including related news releases, flyers, pamphlets, or brochures; represent the Affinity & Cultural Spaces and serve as liaison for any co-sponsored programming or events with other university departments and stakeholders; provide information and assistance to users of the Cultural Spaces. Works in collaboration with CMSS & SOGIE programming staff and areas to ensure students are aware of and have opportunities to engage in diverse learning experiences offered by both departments.
• Student Advocacy and Support:
  
  • The Coordinator will serve as an advocate and ally for the students who utilize the Affinity & Cultural Spaces; serve as a liaison to other departments within Student Affairs and mandated reporting resources when needed; and maintain close relationships with partners to best advocate for students.

STUDENT SUCCESS:

• Serve as the designated CMSS staff person to coordinate a plan for all CMSS staff to be aware of and meet with students, who opt into CMSS’ ongoing support services, student orgs, etc. and who may be struggling/performing well academically. The coordinator should work with the necessary databases and departments (e.g., Institutional research, Registrar, academic advising, Madison Cares, Learning Center, JAC Card office [for swipe card readers] etc.) to compile spreadsheets that can be organized for CMSS staff to hold Academic Check meetings with students during a designated period each semester.
• Work to ensure that all students nearing or on academic probation are met with and connected to a staff person for assistance and resource referrals.
• Work with students who are in good academic standing and performing well to purse available opportunities of interest to them to nurture their sense of belonging, connectedness and holistic development. (e.g., scholarships, student leadership, Mosaic Connections, peer-mentoring, internships, practicum, Presidential Engagement Fellows’ program, jobs, speaking and peer presenting/facilitation, advisory boards etc.)
  
  • This is an opportunity to intentionally connect with as many students as possible to aid their overall success and persistence to degree completion in addition to their cultural and identity development.

Administration:
The coordinator will plan, schedule, facilitate meetings with students, and provide strategic direction for the Affinity & Cultural Spaces. Duties include: creating, maintaining and communicating hours; ensuring spaces are open and inviting; ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students; establishing a system for inventory and ordering of materials; leading assessment initiatives for continual co-curricular programming in the Affinity & Cultural Spaces. Works with Assistant Director and staff to develop learning outcomes based on the Curricular Approach and/or in collaboration with SA Assessment Committee and in partnership with CARS. Flexible to work non-traditional hours. (e.g., afternoon – evening shifts to accommodate evening programming or activities)

Accessibility, Belonging & Intercultural Engagement:
The Coordinator will uplift these principles in their daily work and within the department. The work centers on the concepts of universal design and accessibility for all students and sets clear and high expectations for all services, events, and programming. Serve on various committees and working groups as necessary to stay abreast of accessibility, belonging and intercultural engagement efforts within the SA division and university.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Knowledge in college student personnel administration or relevant field
• Knowledge of issues relating to historically underrepresented and marginalized communities and ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills

Additional Considerations:

• Experience working with diverse populations in a collegiate setting
• The ability to coordinate large-scale events and partnerships
• Experience with student development and group facilitation

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.