About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) seeks candidates for an Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. This position will report to the Dean, and will have primary responsibility for supporting the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students (e.g., students of color, women in certain STEM fields, low income and first-generation, and LGBTQ+ students)

The candidate’s education, perspectives, and experience should enable them to provide leadership; to coordinate activities that build and maintain a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff and student community; and to support equitable treatment of faculty in research, teaching, service, practice and community engagement.

This position will partner with multiple constituencies within SPHHS, the University, and beyond to foster an environment of inclusion and support the success of historically underrepresented individuals within SPHHS and the University.

Essential Functions

• Will be a recognizable and accessible advocate for the envisioning, strengthening, promoting and advancing of DEIB in all aspects of the SPHSS, upholding its values of equity, intersectionality, and inclusivity.
• Collaborate with the Office of Admissions, Associate Deans of Undergraduate Studies and Graduate and Professional Studies, SPHHS Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator, and SPHHS faculty to implement best practices for the admissions and recruitment of students from historically underrepresented groups.
• Assist departments and programs in SPHHS with the creation and implementation of pipeline programs, development of programming intended to enhance diversity in public health and the health sciences, and support students’ academic and professional success.
• Develop strategies and create programs that foster and support diversity and inclusion efforts for SPHHS.
• Develop, implement and maintain policies and procedures to assess efforts within SPHHS and its departments/programs with regards to enhancing diversity and inclusion.
• As the schoolwide lead for DEI, identifies and makes connections across constituencies on equity matters where synergies exist.
• Collect, track, analyze, and present data as they relate to diversity initiatives. Provide feedback to faculty, staff and students on the effectiveness of the school’s efforts and suggestions for continued improvement.
• Monitor national trends, peer institution efforts, and seek benchmarks for successful diversity initiatives.
• Serve as a resource for education and training in bias, tolerance, and anti-racism.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD or EdD is preferred).
• Four to six (4-6) years of work experience in higher education.
• Documented experience working with underrepresented students in higher education is required.
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of the culture and issues of access, diversity, inclusion, equity, and multiculturalism in a higher education setting.
• Strong administrative abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Well versed in cultural humility in order to interact with a wide range of individuals, including undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and administrators, both inside and outside the university.
• Strong written communication skills and proficiency in public speaking.
• Ability to work independently on concurrent projects.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to deliver programs and workshops.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching and mentoring experience in a research-intensive environment is strongly desired.

Work Schedule

• Occasional travel and work on evenings and weekends is required.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

• Salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.