Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

For the Position of:

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

March 2017

Title: Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Organization: Eastern Washington University

Reports to: President

Location: Cheney, Washington

Website: http://www.ewu.edu/

Overview of the University:

Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a regional, comprehensive public university located in Cheney, Washington. In addition to the main campus in Cheney, EWU operates a campus in Spokane, in partnership with Washington State University, and several satellite sites on community college campuses on the west side of the state. The Cheney campus also offers unique research opportunities at the nearby Turnbull National Wildlife refuge.

EWU is a driving force for the culture, economy and vitality of the Inland Northwest region. EWU's 300-acre parklike campus is just 17 miles from Washington's second largest city, Spokane.

It is also a matter of minutes from more than 20 lakes and beautiful mountains, which offer fishing, hiking, biking, boating, wildlife watching and more. This unique geographic positioning allows students the serenity to focus on their studies, the spirit of a small college town, the recreational opportunities of the Northwest and the invaluable internship opportunities and civic involvement offered by a major metropolitan area.

Since 2009, EWU’s overall enrollment has increased by 13% and was at 12,279 at the beginning of the 2016-2017 academic year. The 2016 entering freshman class was the second largest in the university’s history at 1,700, just shy of last year's record mark of 1,711. Fall 2016 was also the most diverse freshman class in EWU history with 32.7% of students from underrepresented groups. EWU continues to realize enrollment growth among Hispanic students, who represent the fastest growing population in the state of Washington. More than 18 percent of the entering freshman class is Hispanic, a 2 percent jump over the previous year. Hispanic student enrollment is also up by a percentage point, to nearly 13.5 percent. Overall campus diversity has increased from 21% to over 26% over the last five years. These enrollment numbers reflect EWU’s continuing commitment to meeting the needs of students from all backgrounds. EWU is now the state's fastest growing public institution, yet maintains a 21:1 student-faculty ratio.

The university's continued growth has been sparked by strong academic programs that reflect students' interests and needs as well a powerful commitment to diversity, a welcoming campus climate, and focus on student support and success. In the fall of 2016, EWU hired over 50 new faculty members to meet its growing needs in many academic areas and to replace retirements. This was the largest group of new faculty hired in a number of years, and they bring great energy and expertise to the University. Also in 2016, EWU opened the Faculty Commons, a center for

faculty to collaborate and plan, to work together, and to learn together.

Eastern is proud to offer the state's best economic value in public education. In 2016-17, EWU provided over $14 million in financial support to students and continues to maintain the lowest tuition in the state ($6110 for in-state freshmen). In spring 2016, nearly half of EWU’s students graduated with no debt. This has made Eastern an institution of opportunity for many college students seeking an education that will provide them the skills and practical training critical to succeed in today's changing work environment.

EWU offers undergraduate students a high-quality education in more than 100 fields of study and offers nine master's degrees, one applied doctorate, one educational specialist degree and

11 graduate certificates. The academic excellence of Eastern's graduate programs is recognized by numerous accreditations. Focused on student success, EWU’s new advising system will help ensure that EWU has some of the best academic advising for students in the country. EWU also provides students with opportunities to study in high-demand areas such as biotechnology, cyber security, forensic science, entrepreneurship, children's studies, dental hygiene and urban planning. In addition, Eastern is the only regional university in the state to offer a baccalaureate in Dental Hygiene and a doctorate in physical therapy.

Eastern's comprehensive liberal arts curriculum and emphasis on real-world experiences enable Eastern graduates to be highly prepared to succeed in a competitive job market and immediately contribute to their career fields. In addition, close faculty relationships and collaborative community projects make Eastern’s graduates strong and active stewards of their communities.

Other notable EWU highlights include:

· Last year Eastern won the Big Sky presidents’ cup for the second year in a row. This is a tremendous testament since the cup represents both athletic and academic excellence in the highly competitive Big Sky (Division I) Conference.

· In one month alone this year, students in EWU’s Dental Hygiene Program treated 53 patients and donated nearly $24,000 in dental care services at their annual Smiles for Veterans event, a daylong clinic providing medical services to area military veterans.

· EWU men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams are serving as mentors to students at Whitman Elementary. They meet with the students twice a month and inspire them to go to college. The young students also participate in field trips to watch EWU student athletes play.

· EWU’s Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program grant was renewed for almost

$1.8 million. EWU faculty are working with the University of Washington and the University of Washington-Tacoma to develop professional expertise for individuals working with vulnerable children and families.

· With the College Spark/Successful Transitions to College initiative, EWU partners with over 50 educators from the Community Colleges of Spokane and local school districts on issues related to students’ successful transition from high school to college.

Eastern Washington University – Inspiring Knowledge, Igniting Change

EWU’s Four Foundational Messages:

· EWU is more than a public university. We are an economic, social, and cultural engine committed to innovation, excellence, collaboration, and inclusiveness. We leverage opportunities that create the next generation of citizen leaders; enhance our commitment to teaching, learning, and scholarship; and ignite profound and positive change in our communities.

· We are an innovation hub. Our university strategic planning and goals reflect our commitment to meeting the complex needs of the modern workplace. We promote innovative pedagogical approaches as well as academically challenging interdisciplinary and technology-mediated programs and real-world experiences that align with the region’s critical needs for highly educated and skilled employees, leaders, and citizens.

· EWU attracts, retains, and inspires talented employees and students from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. These individuals and their families enrich the cultural and social diversity as well as the creative and economic vitality of the region.

· We inspire and transform students with a valuable, affordable education; collaborate with external partners to develop and expand the intellectual and technical capacity of the areas we serve; and enrich our communities with diverse graduates who are creative, skilled, career-ready professionals.

Selected Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives at Eastern Washington University

· Reporting to the President, the President’s Committee on Diversity (PCOD) works throughout the year to support diversity awareness and events. They design and promote a major campus event, Diversity Week. Diversity Week is a chance for students, staff and faculty to come together in a fun and respectful environment, to share, learn about, and celebrate the rich diversity of human experience. This very engaged group looks forward to working closely with the new Vice President.

· The President’s Dialogues on Diversity: Launched in 2017, EWU President Mary Cullinan started the Dialogue series as a way to foster campus discussions on diversity, inclusion and understanding. Each event includes panel presentations from both EWU internal community members and the larger external community. Participants also engage in

small group discussions. These events bring the campus together to talk about difficult issues. So far, there have been Dialogues on community policing, and another Dialogue on Islamophobia is being organized. It is anticipated that these Dialogues will be part of the new Vice President’s portfolio.

· The EWU Women’s and Gender Commission, reporting to the President, holds events, and works on issues of importance for female faculty, students, and staff. The mission of the Commission is to improve the status and quality of life for women and promote gender equity in the EWU community. The Commission is an advisory committee to the president.

· A new Multicultural Center will open in the renovated student union in 2018 and will report to the new Vice President. There will be a temporary Multicultural Center established by June 2017.

· The Pride Center, Women’s Center, and Veterans Center are all long-standing places on campus that host events and offer community and support for students.

· Immigration Conference: Faculty, staff, and students organized a conference in winter

2017 to help DACA students and others understand the resources available to them.

· International recruiting: EWU has a strong commitment to increase the numbers of degree-seeking international students who will bring further diversity to the campus.

· Student organizations such as the Black Student Union and MEChA provide opportunities for students to be engaged and develop leadership skills.

· EWU is delighted to have federal grant support for a CAMP program supporting students from migrant families and a McNair Program to assist under-represented students in preparing to apply to graduate programs.

Overview of the Opportunity:

The founding Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion (VPDI) at Eastern Washington University provides leadership in the development, coordination, and implementation of initiatives that promote equity and pluralism. Reporting to and working closely with the university president, the VPDI serves on the president’s executive team and cabinet.

The VPDI advances the institution’s strategic diversity objectives, connecting with external constituencies and providing guidance and support to executive leadership as well as to faculty, staff, and students as needed.

The VPDI will supervise the founding director of the university’s new Multicultural Center once it has opened in 2018. The VPDI may also qualify for a faculty position in one of the university’s academic programs.

This position provides an exciting opportunity for a leader to work collaboratively with a high- functioning administrative team and engaged faculty and student body. As a founding vice president, the individual will help achieve a powerful vision for a dynamic institution that has been committed to equity and diversity as well as to excellent academic programs and student success for over a hundred and thirty years.

Key Characteristics and Selection Criteria

The ideal candidate will meet the following essential criteria:

· Demonstrated experience as a collaborative leader who inspires confidence and trust.

· A demonstrated understanding of intersecting identities that include, but are not limited to, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status.

· A track record of building coalitions and consensus; ability to effect organizational change.

· Demonstrated leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating diversity and inclusion initiatives aligned with institutional mission.

· Proven success as an organizational change agent.

· Experience with budgeting and with securing funding for diversity initiatives.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated experience as a communicator comfortable in dialogue with students, faculty, and staff as well as with legislators, community members, and other university constituencies.

· Proven ability to inspire and nurture a climate of inclusiveness, collegiality, shared responsibility, and shared accomplishment.

· Ability to work effectively with people at all levels of understanding of multicultural inclusion and non-discrimination.

· Experience and skill in general management and supervision.

· A profound belief in the transformative power of learning and the ability of all students to succeed.

Preferred Education and Experience

· A master's degree from an accredited institution required; doctorate preferred.

· A proven record of providing visionary and effective leadership for pluralism and equity in educational organizations, including student, faculty and staff recruitment and retention; student success; professional development; curricular and co-curricular programs; and initiatives that help create and foster a positive campus climate.

· Successful experience in developing and implementing effective diversity and equity programs.

· Demonstrated ability to influence university, community, and state constituencies on key diversity issues.

· Experience in multiple communication modes, including social media, and ability to develop content and provide direction for a dynamic and useful Diversity and Inclusion website.

Essential Job Functions

· Working closely with the president’s executive team, provide leadership for and oversight of initiatives supporting equity and pluralism, including monitoring assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement to meet university goals.

· Provide oversight and direction for the director of the Multicultural Center.

· Initiate programs, training sessions, and discussions to foster institutional awareness of and commitment to student, faculty, and staff diversity goals.

· Work with Human Resources as well as with the president’s executive team, deans, directors, and department chairs to set hiring and retention goals and strengthen recruitment and retention programs for faculty and staff.

· Lead and support research studies of needs and trends in higher education related to employee diversity; disseminate findings and provide leadership to inform campus efforts and achieve diversity goals.

· Provide advice on current scholarship and research relating to equity and pluralism, including organizational transformation, professional development, and legal issues.

· Work closely with the provost and deans as well as with faculty to ensure that curricula and instructional strategies support the success of all students.

· Research, develop, and assist with securing grants and other funding sources to foster the development of innovative and effective curricula as well as student support and other programs to reach inclusive excellence goals.

· Coordinate with administrators, faculty, and staff to develop or sponsor initiatives, events, and training to help the university community develop the values, knowledge, and culturally sensitive skills to function effectively in a multicultural environment.

· Foster relationships between campus to apprise executives of the issues affecting retention and success of those employees and students.