Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement

Position Description:

The Assistant Director for Multicultural Student Engagement (ME) is a member of the Office of Student Engagement & Experiences (SEE) and reports to the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement. The Assistant Director advances the department's commitment to helping every student find connection, purpose, and belonging at Valparaiso University. Through the interconnected areas of student identity development, leadership, student organizations, and cultural engagement, the Assistant Director creates transformative opportunities that empower students to explore who they are, learn from others, celebrate diverse perspectives, and actively shape their Valpo experience. Guided by the University's mission to lead and serve while building lives for good, this position fosters an engaged campus community where every student has opportunities to thrive. 

Major Responsibilities:

 1. Develop and implement a comprehensive student engagement strategy that advances identity development, belonging, intercultural learning, leadership development, and cultural celebration in alignment with Student Life strategic priorities.
2. Recruit, supervise, train, and mentor Multicultural Student Engagement Ambassadors, supporting their professional growth and peer leadership capacity.
3. Advise culturally-based student organizations by providing ongoing leadership coaching, organizational development, officer transition training, event planning guidance, and strategic consultation.
4. Lead the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of campus-wide cultural celebrations, heritage and awareness month initiatives, educational workshops, keynote speakers, performances, and community-wide engagement opportunities.
5. Collaborate with Office of Student Engagement & Experiences colleagues to ensure Multicultural Student Engagement is integrated throughout the student experience, including New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, leadership development, student organizations, campus traditions, and co-curricular programming.
6. Utilize assessment tools, student feedback, participation metrics, and national best practices to evaluate initiatives and continuously improve student learning and engagement outcomes.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

 Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Student Affairs, Leadership, Counseling, or a related field.

Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in student engagement, student affairs, multicultural student engagement, leadership development, or related areas.
Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and proven competency in engaging effectively with diverse student populations and community stakeholders.
Direct professional experience advising, coaching, and mentoring student organizations and student leaders.
Highly developed interpersonal, intercultural, and oral and written communication abilities.
Comprehensive understanding of student development theory, identity development frameworks, and student privacy standards (including FERPA).

Other Qualifications:

 Proven experience recruiting, training, supervising, and mentoring student staff and student ambassadors.
Demonstrated expertise in large-scale event management, including campus-wide cultural celebrations, heritage month initiatives, and speaker series.
Experience developing and facilitating student leadership curricula and structured dialogue programs.
Familiarity with student engagement software platforms, student organization management, and institutional financial/budgetary procedures.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across divisional lines with faculty, staff, alumni, and external community partners.
Capacity to operate independently, solve problems proactively, and prioritize multiple complex assignments simultaneously.
Alignment with the mission of a university dedicated to Christian higher education in the Lutheran tradition.

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon the clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, they will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

To be considered for this position, you must upload:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of 3 professional references
• Answer all application questions

Please address the cover letter to:

Office of Student Engagement & Experiences - Student Life

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana