Assistant director of affairs

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

Job Summary

Equity and InclusionJob Description

Reporting to the Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Director of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, develop, coordinate, and facilitate student engagement programming to lead initiatives that focus on student development and implement programs and resources that support the work of all recognized cultural heritage organizations. Collaborate with campus partners from the faculty, staff, and student communities to identify and implement various activities and educational opportunities that support diversity and inclusion within a social justice advocacy context. Serve on the Cromwell Day Committee.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Multicultural Advising (25%):

• Serve as an adviser, resource, and advocate for recognized cultural groups known as the Unity organizations.
• Identify student leadership and budget management training opportunities for Unity organizations with on-campus stakeholders.
• Be recognizable on campus by attending events sponsored by the Unity organizations, including evenings and weekends.
• Meet regularly with the Unity Presidents’ Council (UPC), the governing council for the Unity organizations.
  
  

Supervision (25%):

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a staff of student coordinators to staff and work in the Mwangi Cultural Center during the academic year.
• Provide training focused on customer service, space reservation consultations, and room setup.
• Oversee student coordinator projects, including distribution of the weekly online newsletter, social media management, and special projects.
• As part of training, facilitate a workshop on the history of the two cultural spaces on campus.
  
  

Space Management (25%):

• Manage the Mwangi Cultural Center and Unity House.
• Meet and collaborate with relevant stakeholders regarding the college’s reservation system, 25 Live, which supports space reservations for Unity House.
• Stay abreast of required facility upkeep and facility agreements.
  
  

Multicultural/Pre-Orientation Programming (25%):

• Plan and oversee the summer Bridge Pre-Orientation —a program for first-year students.
• Coordinate programming efforts to help first-year students find meaningful social connections, cross-cultural friendships, resources, and a network of people invested in collective success.
• Recruit, interview, select, and train upper-class students to serve as Bridge leaders.
• Recruit faculty to lead academic seminars.
• Work with various campus stakeholders to secure facilities and essential information for program development activities.
• Evaluate all program activities to determine their effectiveness related to student learning outcomes and general student satisfaction.
  
  

Other Functions

• Assume responsibility for special projects and committee work and other duties as assigned
  
  

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, Skills, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licenses)

• Bachelor’s degree required, and a Master’s degree preferred, in higher education administration or related field preferred with at least 5 years experience in multicultural or social justice education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Have solid leadership skills, a passion for helping and mentoring students, and experience in training and experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred, in higher education administration or related field preferred
  
  

Skills

• Demonstrate an ability to communicate, both orally and in writing; exercise effective independent professional judgment; establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and student organizations; and relate successfully in one-on-one and group situations with persons representing diverse backgrounds and interests.
• Show knowledge of principles, practices, and theories of student learning and development and understand students' cultural, social, recreational, and educational needs.
• Illustrate an understanding of leadership theory with the ability to integrate it into practice and student programs.
  
  

Additional Information

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit.
• Tasks may involve using a computer screen continuously for long periods.
• In addition, the employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

July 13, 2025

Position Type

Regular

About Smith College

Located 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.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.