Working/Functional Title

Director – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Position Summary

The Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a leadership position overseeing the CANR Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. This is an administrative position reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR; https://www.canr.msu.edu/) at Michigan State University (MSU: https://msu.edu/). This individual advises the Dean on matters related to inclusion, diversity, and equity and, with delegated authority from the Dean, directs the strategic development and implementation of the overarching diversity, equity and inclusion agenda for the College. The Associate Dean and Director is a member of the Dean's leadership team, which includes associate and assistant deans, directors, department chairs, and school directors.

The successful Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will provide leadership for infusing diversity, equity and inclusion principles through all areas of the College, consistent with MSU’s DEI strategic plan. The individual will lead initiatives and coordinate integrated approaches to increase diversity, equity and inclusivity; create an environment which embraces human differences, a multi-cultural environment for faculty, staff, and students within CANR, AgBioResearch (ABR; http://www.agbioresearch.msu.edu/), and MSU Extension (MSUE; http://msue.anr.msu.edu/); and network with partners across MSU, including the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (IDI; http://www.inclusion.msu.edu/), student organizations, presidential advisory committees, centers and institutes, the Coalition of Racial and Ethnic Minorities, and others.

The Associate Dean and Director will engage the College leadership team to support and enhance a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment by a) assisting with the management and development of resources for professional development of faculty and staff, b) providing guidance and vision for recruiting, retaining and recognizing diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and c) identifying and responding to areas in need of multi-cultural engagement. In all these efforts, the Associate Dean and Director will champion inclusive values and incorporate practices through professional development (at the individual level) and organizational development (at the unit level) that sustain progress toward achieving a multicultural organization.

The successful Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion should possess as many of the following attributes as possible:

1. Demonstrated ability to creatively pursue the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion and strategize organizational change including the design, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based initiatives and change processes that create and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment.
2. Broad knowledge of and experience with diversity issues in higher education and with scholarship of diversity and inclusion including theoretical and practical approaches to implicit bias and bystander intervention; structural understanding of power, privilege, and difference; systemic racism and sexism in organizations.
3. Demonstrated leadership with equity and inclusion work and interest in contributing to research, teaching, and/or outreach scholarship.
4. Understanding of the legal/regulatory framework and climate for diversity in the workplace.
5. Demonstrated record of working productively with diverse populations and creating opportunities for all people to express their voices in effective and constructive manners.
6. Experienced with proposal development for extramural funding, and proactive in obtaining revenue streams supporting DEI efforts.
7. Skilled convening and collaborating successfully with action teams, including ability to communicate effectively with administration, faculty, and staff.
8. Demonstrated managerial skills in leading and supervising direct reports.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Tenure-system or fixed-term faculty members are ranked as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, and each must possess the terminal degree in their field (Ph.D., Ed.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M., etc.) or its equivalent. Appointment status (tenure system or fixed term) will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience. 

Required Application Materials

Applicants for the position of CANR Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are asked to submit two documents: 1) a resume/CV and 2) a cover letter describing your interest in the position with an emphasis on your experience and philosophical approach(es) to achieving a culture of diversity and inclusion.  At the end of the cover letter, please also submit names and contact information for three (3) references who are familiar with your previous work. Letters from these references are not initially required, but these individuals may be immediately approached for additional information.

Together-we-will Statement

Special Instructions

Confidential inquiries can be made to the Search Committee via:

Matt Daum, Ph.D.

daummatt@msu.edu

Review of Applications Begins On

03/01/2023

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/diversity/

Department Statement

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and WorkLife at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/.

Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.