California State University, Chico — Chief Diversity Officer
Filed in Administrative on June 4, 2022


Chief Diversity Officer
California State University, Chico
Spring 2022 – Fall 2022

California State University, Chico invites applications and nominations for the position of Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), which reports directly to the President.

The Chief Diversity Officer is an ex-officio member of the President's Cabinet and will provide counsel to the President and Cabinet on equity, diversity and inclusion issues, provide leadership and oversight to the University's equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives; collaborate with Cabinet and other University units and offices to advance the priorities and goals of the institution. The CDO will interface regularly with all Vice Presidents and divisions to ensure that active and viable initiatives are being developed and implemented in all divisions, continuously assess achievement of university equity, diversity and inclusion efforts, provide leadership to the University Diversity Council (UDC) and coordinate and assess the efforts of various campus units to increase pathways of success for all students, faculty and staff, especially those from historically marginalized populations.

The CDO is the chief administrator for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, responsible for providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction. The CDO is charged with overall management, planning, administration, and evaluation of the unit's programs, services, personnel, policies, procedures development, and budget, including supervising the associate director, administrative support assistant, student assistants, and the Director of the Office of Latinx Equity and Success. The CDO plays a key role in setting and enacting the University's strategic priority of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Priorities for the CDO will include:

  • Offering recommendations to campus administrators and leaders to assist them in resolving complex EDI issues, and in adopting policies or practices to reduce barriers to educational and workplace access and outcomes.
  • Providing expertise and guidance on EDI issues and implications in decision-making in areas where the approach is sensitive and uncertain.
  • Seeking internal and external funding to advance EDI strategic initiatives.
  • Partnering with Institutional Research and others to develop, maintain, and implement evaluation systems to monitor the University's progress in addressing and achieving goals related to EDI.
  • Effectively communicating EDI strategic initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Leading the University Diversity Council.
  • Supervision of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Latinx Equity and Success.
  • Creating opportunities for 360-degree communication amongst the campus community that engages diverse, intercultural, and intersectional viewpoints and identities to promote sharing, learning, and action to improve Chico State.
  • Strengthening relationships and serving as a liaison between the University and current and historically marginalized communities on campus and within our service area, including/especially Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
  • Actively engage in related California State University system-wide initiatives and meetings.

    The University seeks a passionate, culturally competent, student-centered, collaborative, and progressive CDO with an intersectional and growth mindset who can demonstrate or has the following:

    Required Qualifications:

  • A master's degree or equivalent in a related field.
  • Demonstrated leadership, a minimum of 5 years, in planning, implementing, evaluating, and advocating for programs that support equitable educational and workforce access and outcomes.
  • Knowledge of contemporary issues of access, social justice, equity, inclusion, diversity, and institutional racism, including the current scholarship and best practices that inform and address these issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage crises related to systemic and structural racism and other EDI challenges
  • Commitment to policies and practices in all areas of the university that engage diverse, intercultural, and intersectional viewpoints and identities
  • Experience with budget management, supervision of staff, and staff development and empowerment.
  • Experience with federal and state policy, regulation, and compliance issues.

    Preferred attributes:

  • Demonstrated cross-cultural competencies, including strong emotional intelligence and the ability to engage and build relationships with university constituencies and historically marginalized populations.
  • Evidence of strong decision-making, leadership and management skills.
  • Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills needed to navigate politically-charged situations to resolve problems, build consensus, and reconcile competing interests.
  • Experience in strategically implementing or supporting institutional change.
  • Experience creating, implementing, and evaluating long and short-term goals and plans.
  • Ability to apply forward-thinking and creative thought with high ethical standards to develop strategic vision.
  • Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

    The University:
    Chico State is a comprehensive public university and Hispanic-Serving Institution, consistently ranked as one of the best regional public universities in the West and regularly recognized as a top-value institution. We are unique among the CSU system for our high graduation rates and beautiful campus, as well as our dedicated faculty and friendly community who offer a personal touch that makes students feel at home. The sun-soaked, 119-acre campus—formally designated as an arboretum—is located in the Sacramento Valley, near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Chico State is comprised of seven colleges and five schools and the University's motto—“Today Decides Tomorrow”—emphasizes the institution's profound sense of place and mission to develop students who are critical thinkers, responsible citizens, diverse leaders, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources. Through the successes of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, Chico State will be known as a preeminent university solving the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century, as outlined in our 2019-24 Strategic Plan.

    Review of applications will begin August 24, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. However, only complete applications received by August 31, 2022 can be assured full consideration. As a condition of employment, persons will have to submit to a confidential background check and submit official, sealed transcripts. All information obtained will be strictly confidential.

    Applications/Nominations:
    Applicants should submit a complete and current resume or curriculum vitae, as well as names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of up to five references. California State University, Chico has retained Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. Applications can be submitted to Isaacson, Miller through the weblink:www.imsearch.com/8590. A cover letter of interest should indicate how the applicant's qualifications relate to each of the required and preferred attributes of the position. Applicants should succinctly articulate their administrative philosophy and the role of the Chief Diversity Officer in public higher education. Questions and inquires should be directed to Kathy Martinez (kmartinez@imsearch.com).
    The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.

    An annual security report disclosing crime statistics for California State University, Chico can be obtained by contacting the California State University Police Department (530) 898-5555 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.csuchico.edu/up/.

    Additional information about the University is available at: http://www.csuchico.edu.

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