The Intercultural Center (IC) seeks a dynamic, student-centered Assistant Director committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within a vibrant campus community. Reporting directly to the IC Director, this role plays a pivotal part in cultivating an affirming environment for historically underrepresented and traditionally marginalized students through holistic advising, supervision of student leaders, and the development of innovative social justice programming. The Assistant Director will collaborate broadly across campus, facilitate impactful training, and help shape strategic initiatives that strengthen students’ sense of belonging and intercultural understanding. With significant responsibility for program leadership, assessment, budget oversight, and community-building, this position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the student experience, the mission of the Intercultural Center and the core Lasallian principles of Saint Mary’s College of California.
The Division of Student Life intersects at multiple points of a student's journey at Saint Mary's. With areas that promote students' campus experiences, wellness, and engagement, Student Life accompanies students on their academic and co-curricular journey at Saint Mary's. The Division of Student Life creates a sense of belonging, offers participatory opportunities, and encourages students to contribute back their talents. Departments within Student Life include Campus Assault, Response, and Education (CARE), Campus Housing, the Career Center, Club Sports, Community Life, Center for Women & Gender Equity, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Dean of Students, Intercultural Center, New Student & Family Programs, Campus Safety & Transportation, Residential Experience, Recreational Sports, Student Disability Services, Student Activities & Engagement, the Student Health Center, and Veterans Services.
Function/Responsibility:
- Student Advising, Supervision, & Support
(A) Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Social Justice Advocate (SJA) student leaders, the programming arm of the Intercultural Center that is responsible for regular social justice and community dialogue programs as well as responsibility for managing the IC Cafe and overall office space.
(B) Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate any undergraduate/graduate interns, overseeing their mandatory hours and working on long term strategies that align their professional interests with the strategic goals of the center.
(C) Assist in developing enrichment activities for all student staff (i.e., team bondings, short excursions, etc.) to maintain positive staff morale and to build a positive community.
(D) Assist in advising and coordinating the Diversity Organization Council (D.O.C.), including facilitating monthly DOC meetings and coordination of the DOC meet and greet during Weekend of Welcome (WOW).
(E) Assist the Director in co-facilitating the Annual Diversity Retreat for DOC orgs and IC student staff.
(F) Advise students who may experience academic difficulty, personal issues, or become the target of a hate crime/bias-motivated incident.
- Programming
(A) Develop and coordinate year-long diversity programming and co-curriculum that addresses the intersectionality of identity with particular attention paid to historically underrepresented and traditionally marginalized groups. This includes monthly community circle dialogues (Collective Hour), social justice workshops (Invest), and social programs (Feel Good Fridays).
(B) Work with IC Director to coordinate the registration, logistics and outreach for the four Cultural Graduate Celebrations.
(C) Stay current on trends and best practices in higher education regarding inclusive excellence.
- Campus Relations/DEI Training
(A) Participate in on campus committees related to the first/second year or transfer student experience.
(B) Responsible for creating and facilitating DEI trainings for various student leaders on campus (i.e. IC staff, OLers, Res Exp, MMC, CWGE, SIL, HP, etc.)
(C) Develop and coordinate annual, and as needed, LGBTQIA+ training for student leaders, staff, and faculty
- Administrative Duties
(A) Oversee the IC Cafe/Delphine Lounge front desk check-in system and student shift calendar.
(B) Responsible for the purchase, upkeep, and inventory of anything related to IC Cafe and IC programs, such as supplies for the monthly Feel Good Friday events, Collective Hour, and INVEST.
- Budget Maintenance
(A) Monitor and reconcile the student staff wages, FWS wages and activities budget(s) of the Intercultural Center.
(B) Execute all related financial paperwork, such as contracts, check requests, expense reports, purchase orders, etc.
- Marketing
(A) Manage, reproduce, and distribute publicity for Intercultural Center educational and social programs in coordination with the IC Director and Marketing and Promotion Strategist (MPS) team.
(B) Responsible for gathering and maintenance of an online DEI toolkit and resource database.
(C) Responsible for creation of IC hiring timeline and marketing strategy, with support from IC Director and MPS team.
(D) Collaborate with other campus departments to co-sponsor programs.
- Assessment
(A) Assist the Director in establishing learning outcomes for all diversity programs.
(B) Develop and implement various methods of measuring the effectiveness of diversity programs.
(C) Track, analyze, and report assessment findings for the Intercultural Center's Annual Report.
(D) Continuously modify/improve diversity programming based on assessment findings.
- Other Duties as Assigned
Problem Solving/Analysis:
Assists the Director in analyzing campus climate issues and delivering appropriate and effective
programmatic responses. Advises student leaders to deliver programs (student activities, events,
etc.) that address campus climate issues around diversity. Resolves logistical problems and
mediates students' interpersonal challenges as needed.
Decision Making:
Assists the Director in development of programs, services and resources that address the rising
needs of the Saint Mary’s community around issues of inclusive excellence.
Impact Of Decisions:
Decisions impact students' co-curricular experiences around diversity and sense of belonging.
Makes campus wide decisions around inclusive excellence training that may affect various groups
and may also directly impact the campus climate.
Budgetary Responsibility:
Monitors and reconciles the Intercultural Center's budget(s) that are directly related to diversity
programming, IC Cafe, student training and student wages.
Communication/Contacts:
Initiates and frequently collaborates with other departments and key campus groups regarding
inclusive excellence and diversity issues in addition to co-sponsoring collaborative programs.
Co-facilitates the annual summer and winter student staff training, with the Director.
Independence:
Position requires minimal supervision and periodic guidance from the Director to carry out its
essential functions and major areas of responsibilities.
Supervision:
Student workers develop and implement diversity programs, facilitate community dialogue circles,
market IC programming, support office logistics and also perform other administrative duties as
assigned.
Education:
REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree, preferably in sociology, ethnic studies, education, or a related field.
PREFERRED: Master’s degree, preferably in sociology, ethnic studies, education, or a related field.
Experience: (years required and applicable field of experience): A minimum of two years experience in diversity programming and providing support services to historically underrepresented and traditionally marginalized students, specifically in an advising role. Previous experience either directly supervising or advising student leaders.
Skills/Abilities: (e.g. computer skills, written & verbal skills, trades, laws, procedures, technical) Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills in facilitating and maintaining collaborative relationships with campus constituents. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and facilitating difficult dialogues around difference. (Preferred: Experience with intergroup dialogue training and development of IGD curriculum) Bilingual skills are highly desired, specifically Spanish. Outstanding initiative, organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple projects/deadlines, attention to detail and team player mentality. Proficiency with google DOCs, forms and spreadsheets, as well as Windows operating systems, including Microsoft Office, email, and internet usage. Familiarity with graphic design software, such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, a plus.
Understanding of and commitment to the College's mission and Catholic, Lasallian, and liberal arts traditions.
Other Requirements:
12-month, FTE, Exempt
Frequent evening and weekend work.
Regular presence at campus programs and functions.
Occasional travel required to attend professional conferences.