The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applications, inquiries, and nominations in its search for the next Vice Chancellor for Equity and Diversity (VCED). The University seeks a dynamic leader who will embrace UIC’s distinctive profile as one of the most diverse research universities in the country, supporting its mission to provide the broadest access to the highest levels of educational, research, and clinical excellence.
With over 34,000 students, UIC is Chicago’s largest and only public R1 research university.
UIC prides itself as a national leader among public higher education institutions in providing access to underrepresented students. It is a designated Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). As reflected in UIC’s fall 2023 undergraduate diversity data, the campus has no majority undergraduate population. Its 2023 freshmen class was the largest-ever, with more than 46% first-generation college students. Fifty-four percent of UIC undergraduates receive Pell Grants, and 80% of UIC students are commuters.
The Vice Chancellor for Equity and Diversity (VCED) serves as the senior diversity officer for UIC and is responsible for leading efforts to embed access, equity, and inclusion principles and practices into UIC’s institutional culture. The VCED will build upon and contribute to the ongoing visioning and expansion of UIC's equity and diversity practices and programs, which includes guiding efforts to conceptualize, define, assess, nurture, and cultivate UIC’s equity and diversity principles and practices. The VCED provides leadership and enhances the coordination and support for equity and diversity issues institution-wide.
Reporting to the Chancellor, the VCED advises the institution’s senior leadership on infusing equity and diversity into the core of UIC’s mission of educational, research, and clinical excellence. The VCED works collaboratively with Vice Chancellors and Deans across UIC and participates fully in the Chancellor’s Cabinet.
The VCED has 15 direct reports and is responsible for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Equity and Diversity (OVCED), which has 34 full-time staff, eight part-time staff, two faculty fellows, and 81 student employees. The OVCED guides UIC’s strategic efforts to advance access, equity, and inclusion as fundamental institutional values underpinning all aspects of university life. Additionally, the OVCED manages UIC’s key diversity resources and infrastructure, which includes initiating educational programs to promote a supportive University climate and partnering with campus units to formulate systems of accountability, cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships with different communities.
Competencies and Qualifications
The Chancellor, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, and college stakeholders more generally anticipate and appreciate that each candidate will possess strengths in different measure. Nonetheless, the successful candidate will bring a majority of the following qualities to the role:
- A master’s degree or doctoral degree in a related field from an accredited institution of higher education and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively comprehensive equity and diversity program-building and administration leadership within a large, complex environment.
- Working knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, concepts, and programs, as well as relevant regulatory environment considerations and national trends, particularly relating to higher education.
- Experience with developing and implementing institutional policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Knowledge of the compliance infrastructure in relation to reports of alleged discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct, and appreciation for the need to work in partnership with the Offices of Access and Equity, Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs, Human Resources, and University Counsel to ensure appropriate institutional responses.
- Strong management and leadership skills, including exceptional team leadership, training, coaching, and mentoring ability.
- Crisis management and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to manage multiple high-pressure demands.
- Excellent communication skills with demonstrated experience in making high-level presentations to senior and board-level leaders.
- Demonstrated understanding and appreciation for a consultative and collaborative approach to planning and management that matches the UIC process and culture.
- Experience in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with various stakeholders.
- Highly developed interpersonal, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to design bold, creative, and innovative initiatives and to command the respect of colleagues within and beyond the University.
- Commitment to making higher education more inclusive.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience within a large public research university, preferably with an academic health system, is highly desirable.
- Experience navigating federal and state budgets, laws, regulations, and rules.
- A record of ensuring that organizational resources (e.g., budget, personnel, etc.) are aligned to optimize the ability to reach institutional priorities and are managed responsibly.
- Demonstrable experience leading change across a unit, department, or institution.
To Apply
The University of Illinois Chicago has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Partner, Ann K. Adams, Associate Partner, and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be submitted by email to Marisea Rivera at marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net. To be considered by the University’s search committee, candidates must provide a CV/resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above, and submit these through an electronic application by November 21, 2024 for fullest consideration. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.
The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
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