Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
The Director of EAS Programs for Student Success will support the EAS Division as it strives to be an environment where each member of the EAS community can develop their potential and reach their goals unhindered by racism, sexism, or other forms of bias. Reporting to the EAS Chair and EAS Division Operations Officer, the Program Director will oversee Division-wide efforts that support the Division's goals supporting student academic success and inclusion; as such, the Program Director will provide leadership and coordination across the Division's options managers to develop new initiatives and to support continuing Division-wide programs. The Program Director will work closely with the EAS Division Academic Council, faculty, graduate and undergraduate option representatives, and executive officers in these efforts. The Program Director will also work closely with the Graduate Admissions Office, Dean's Offices, Equity and Title IX Office, undergraduate Admissions Office, and others on campus to support best practices and fully integrate EAS programming with that of campus partners.
The Program Director will act as a resource for students, option managers, and others in the Division on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, the Program Director will connect students who are experiencing difficulties to appropriate resources, and generally actuate activities to improve the quality of life for graduate and undergraduate students in EAS. The Program Director will lead the Division's efforts in coordination with EAS staff, including faculty option representatives and staff option managers, to ensure that all EAS students have the information and resources they need to thrive at Caltech.
This position plays a strategic role in influencing and recommending design and implementation of EAS student programs to ensure that their goals and objectives are met at the departmental, divisional, and Institute levels.
This is an Organizational Critical position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as organizational critical is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible to assist in division/department response and recovery efforts.
Essential Job Duties
Serve as a division-level resource for faculty, students, staff, and postdocs on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and support the Division's goals in these areas.
Develop and share across the Division best practices that support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment of graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff.
Provide training to staff and faculty in best practices to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment of graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff.
With input from EAS student communities, ensure a student-focused culture where diversity is encouraged and where students and community members respect differences and exercise leadership.
In collaboration with the Division options managers and faculty, plan and organize Division and Institute-wide activities supporting graduate student recruitment, such as Future Ignited and Caltech Shines, and facilitate graduate student recruitment through national organizations, such as NSBE, SWE, Rising Stars, etc.
With support from the EAS option managers, coordinate initiatives to promote and enhance visibility of graduate and undergraduate academic programs as well as student research opportunities. Identify and utilize various sources and media to advertise and communicate programs for students both on- and off-campus including internships, fellowships, and scholarship opportunities.
In collaboration with the Admissions Office, Division options managers, and faculty, plan and organize undergraduate student recruitment activities such as DiscoTech.
Organize and run the cohort program for the Chair's Scholars and EAS Presidential Scholars.
Support the EAS Trailblazers program and Symposium.
Coordinate the EAS New Horizon's Award Program.
Create opportunities for community building across the Division, such as the Women in Engineering program.
Support the work of the EAS DEI committee, including data gathering, assessment, communication within the Division administration and Caltech administration; and support new Division-wide initiatives that are generated from the committee.
Keep abreast of EAS demographics and how EAS compares with other institutions and national-level data.
Ensure that the EAS DEI webpages are accurate and up-to-date.
Support division-level fundraising for DEI associated activities.
Support and coordinate programming for EAS postdocs in collaboration with the EAS Academic Affairs Manager.
Evaluate exit survey data from students and postdocs in EAS and use the results to guide improvements, as appropriate.
Coordinate follow-up activities to campus climate surveys for the EAS Division.
Serve as a liaison to the student-facing/serving offices on campus, including Dean of Graduate Studies, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Registrar, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach, Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CCID), Student-Faculty Programs (SFP), Alumni Association, Financial Aid, Development, the Office of Career Advising and Experiential Leaning, etc.
In collaboration and with the support of campus offices (such as CCID, the Equity and Title IX Office, the Dean's Offices, and Student Health and Wellness Services) and EAS option representatives and option managers as appropriate:
Act as a resource for students who are experiencing academic difficulties.
Act as a resource for individuals who consider reporting incidents of harassment or discrimination.
Serve as a resource regarding student services, including Health and Counseling Center and Student Affairs.
Support programming and training around issues of DEI, including trainings for faculty and staff in leadership positions.
Develop division-level materials on resources and avenues for reporting discrimination, harassment, and bias.
Consider the EAS responses from option-level and Institute-wide climate surveys and work within the Division to respond to areas of concern.
Working closely with the EAS option managers:
Provide and coordinate best practices for student success across the Division.
Support and enhance option-level DEI initiatives, including option-level affinity groups.
Support options in tracking students, creating a process for regular student check-ins, and in developing best practices to support the success of all EAS students.
Develop systems/metrics designed to improving tracking of academic progress to allow for early intervention if/when problems are identified.
Create best practices for hiring students, such as undergraduates in TA positions, that ensures transparency and equitable access to these opportunities.
Create and implement programs related to student engagement and outreach.
Basic Qualifications
Advanced degree in a relevant STEM, education, or social science field.
5+ years increasingly responsible experience in student affairs management and academic administration.
Exceptional analytical and organizational skills, excellent communication skills, a strong service orientation, and an ability to exercise independent judgment while working in a team-oriented environment.
Demonstrated administrative acumen, working in higher education, possessing a demonstrated commitment to multicultural, gender and individual diversity.
Excellent counseling and advising skills are essential to successful performance in this role, as well as excellent judgement.
Proven ability to engage and work with faculty, staff, and students effectively and with diplomacy and discretion.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are critical.
A strong interest in student welfare and a personal commitment to enhancing their development is also required.
Preferred Qualifications
A doctoral degree in a relevant STEM, education, or social science field.
8+ years increasingly responsible experience in student affairs management and academic administration.
Familiarity with Caltech's mission, an authentic curiosity about science and technology, and a strong appreciation for the extraordinary intellectual accomplishments of Caltech students.
Previous experience in an academic setting with a STEM-focused curriculum.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Copyright 2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering research and education institution, where extraordinary faculty and students seek answers to complex questions, discover new knowledge, lead innovation, and transform our future.