The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

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University of Delaware — Director, Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers (RISE) program
Filed in Administrative on February 3, 2023

University of Delaware
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

Job No: 499678
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Full Time, Program/Project Management

PAY GRADE: 32E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The College of Engineering at the University of Delaware is home to seven academic departments devoted to building a community of problem-solvers focused on challenges associated with sustainability, energy, health care and the environment. Ranked as one of the top 50 Engineering Colleges in the United States, last year we welcomed over 3,700 College of Engineering students to campus, including nearly 700 new undergraduate students and 200 new graduate students.

Our almost 200 person internationally recognized faculty includes named professors, National Academy of Engineering members, NSF and DOD faculty career and young investigator award winners, and University teaching award recipients. World-renowned initiatives led by college faculty include college-based research centers and university-based research centers and institutes, all of which provide a fertile training ground for future engineers.

The primary focus of the Director position will be serving as the Director of, and managing and directing the day-to-day operation of, the college’s Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers (RISE) program. The Director will assist and advise the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education on strategic planning and budget-related decisions to further a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for students. The Director also will work with academic departments, Career Services and other units in the College and across campus to create a diverse, welcoming, and engaging environment for students.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILTIES:

Provide strong and innovative leadership that supports the mission and vision of the College of Engineering Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers (RISE) program. Provide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of the program. Manage the day-to-day operation of the program.
Develop and provide programming to support the success of the students in the RISE program. This might include, but is not limited to, individual advising/counseling sessions, seminars with guest speakers, workshops, networking events, study groups, group and individual tutoring sessions, mentoring opportunities, conferences, graduate school information sessions, professional development sessions, and field trips.
Lead, as Principal Investigator, efforts to secure federal (e.g., NSF, DOE), state, or local grant funding to expand the resources and opportunities for the RISE Program and its students.
Work with the UD Development Office to secure gifts, foundation grants, and to support alumni outreach efforts.
Develop and manage a summer residential acclimation program for underrepresented minority students to help prepare them for matriculating at UD.
Develop and manage budgets for the RISE program and related activities.
Liaise with the Career Services Center to provide career and professional development and placement programming. Provide leadership for the development and execution of internship and job placement programs.
Provide supervision and management for RISE Program staff, student workers and/or volunteers.
Co-advise affinity student groups (NSBE, SHPE, SWE) with their designated faculty advisor.
Expand, build, and foster relationships with alumni.
Contribute to the scholarship of engineering education. This may include but is not limited to, research in pedagogy that is directed toward the needs of underrepresented minorities, developing new methods of teaching and assessment, and assisting faculty in developing new courses.
Support other diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and priorities related to the undergraduate student experience within the College of Engineering.
Represent the University and College in national professional service in areas related to education and development of underrepresented communities.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree and six years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree or Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred.
Experience advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Leadership with proven ability to develop, implement and assess strategic initiatives that advance an affirming and inclusive culture, and that educates our majority students on equity and inclusion and the power of diverse teams and interactions.
A record of accomplishment as a student advocate and a champion for student success.
Interpersonal and community relations skills, and the ability to establish and maintain collaborative and effective working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and administration.
Experience with professional staff supervision and fiscal management.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to take initiative for projects and development of services.
Experience leading or supporting externally funded research projects preferred.
Independent judgment to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload with attention to detail.
Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
Active participation in national professional associations and scholarly activities, preferred.
Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.