Smith College Hiring for Senior Associate Director of Admission for Diversity and Access at Smith College Full Time

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [email protected].

Job Description

This position is being managed by Summit Search Solutions. Click here to view full position profile. Location: Northampton, Massachusetts

The Position:

The Senior Associate Director of Admission for Diversity and Access serves as the lead architect on initiatives aimed at growing the college’s Black, African American, Asian American, Latina and Indigenous/Native student communities and will ensure these communities are equitably represented on campus. This position works closely with the Dean of Admission and Vice President for Enrollment to develop strategies and lead admission office efforts to increase representation of underrepresented domestic students of color on campus. This person will specifically be responsible for developing a strategic plan to ensure students of color are well-represented in each entering class and will develop recruitment travel strategies while overseeing virtual and on-campus programs to help meet that goal. Additionally, the Senior Associate Director will take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the college’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. Candidates seeking hybrid or remote opportunities will be considered.

Responsibilities:

Recruitment (30%)

• Create and implement diversity recruitment and yield programs;

• Develop and implement plans to recruit students of color, including Native/Indigenous students;

• Develop and share best DEI practices with admission staff;

• Lead the Diversity and Access Team, including team development, training and supervision and oversee the supervision of their student interns;

• Develop and maintain a network of recruitment sources that extend beyond traditional secondary schools;

• Expand and nurture the partnerships with agencies and community-based organizations that work with students of color;

• Lead on-campus and virtual information sessions and interview prospective students if needed;

• Collaborate with the Coordinator of Alumnae Volunteer Program and Transfer Coordinator to identify and attract under-represented students; and

• Plan and execute approximately six to eight weeks of travel for student recruitment, attend secondary school programs and professional development.

Admissions (25%)

• Serve on the admission senior staff and assist the dean with all operational areas and responsibilities of the admission office and office staff;

• Assume decision-making responsibilities and represent the admission office on behalf of the dean of admission in their absence;

• Advise admission senior staff on trends related to race-neutral or use of race in college admission and lead initiatives to meet the college’s diversity goals in light of legal challenges to affirmative action; and

• Develop and manage strategy for admission officer for fall and spring travel to meet enrollment goals with respect to underrepresented students.

QuestBridge and College Access Programs (20%)

• Direct and lead the college’s engagement with QuestBridge and college access organizations;

• Develop a team of admission officers and Slate CRM staff to support the QuestBridge program;

• Manage the admission partnership with QuestBridge;

• Manage the QuestBridge application process, application reading and selection, and admission staff training; and

• Attend QuestBridge conferences.

People Management and Program Oversight (20%)

• Manage two assistant directors and seek out opportunities for their professional development and involvement in the Smith community;

• Oversee the execution of on-campus and virtual programming targeting students of color, including the admitted student program and Women of Distinction recruitment program as well as other virtual or on-campus programming in support of diversity and access recruitment;

• Initiate relevant marketing initiatives and communication plans in cooperation with the associate director for marketing/communications with respect to the recruitment and yield of students of color who are US citizens, undocumented or permanent residents of the United States;

• Coordinate relevant efforts across the college regarding the enrollment of students of color;

• Collaborate with college staff, faculty and students on efforts to increase visibility among students of color; and

• Partner with campus colleagues to support the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.

Reading and Selection (5%)

• Read applications and evaluate the admissibility of candidates for admission to the college; and

• Mentor others and advise on reading strategy and selection qualifications as needed as part of admission senior staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years college admission or related experience with progressively increasing responsibility.

• Knowledge and proficiency of best practices related to equity, diversity and inclusion, including knowledge of effective recruitment strategies in higher education.

• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Strong staff management and collaboration skills.

• Supervisory or management experience with the ability to train and mentor staff, and deliver constructive feedback.

• Excellent project and event planning skills.

• Proven ability to analyze data to make data informed decisions.

• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking and communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively across constituencies, including faculty, alums, students, parents, school counselors, and college administrators.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment balancing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.

• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations and circumstances.

To Apply:Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled; parties are encouraged to apply by June 5, 2023. Please submit a PDF version of your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in and suitability for this position.

To apply online, go to https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su359

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:

Tammarah Townes

Senior Consultant

Summit Search Solutions, Inc.

302-388-9480

[email protected]

Lyndi Hewitt, PhD

Senior Consultant

Summit Search Solutions, Inc.

615-423-0525

[email protected]

Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.Position Type:RegularAbout Smith CollegeLocated in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts.  A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges. Smith College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.