Director of LGBTQIA+ Student Services

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.  

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the Senior Director of Identity and Belonging, the Director of LGBTQIA Student Services will serve as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA ) Student Services leader at Whitman College. The Director of LGBTQIA Student Services advocates for institutional change and contributes to efforts to develop more equitable and inclusive  practices, policies, and procedures across the college in an effort to cultivate and nurture an environment at Whitman that affirms the unique and intersectional identities of LGBTQIA students. With more than 30% of Whitman students identifying as part of the LGBTQIA community, the Director  provides strategic leadership in the design, coordination, delivery, and assessment of programs and  services that support the wellbeing and success of LGBTQIA students and aids the entire Whitman community in better understanding the lived experience of LGBTQIA individuals. LGBTQIA Student Services also advances the diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA) values of the College. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Identity and Belonging (60%) 

• Provide leadership in the design, implementation, coordination, assessment and continuous improvement of programming, resources, and services that are responsive to the changing needs of the Whitman LGBTQIA student population. 
• Provide support and advice to student coalitions and organizations seeking partnership, guidance, or advising on projects or programs related to gender and sexuality. 
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to coordinate and implement programs to enhance the recruitment, well-being, and experience of LGBTQIA student populations, including: maintaining the Queer Resource Center, organizing guest speakers, film screenings, PRIDE celebrations, Trans Day of Remembrance programs, Lavender Graduation, and participating in related campus activities (e.g. Orientation, Summer Fly-In, annual RA training, Power & Privilege Symposium, Visitors Day, etc.).  
• Provide one-on-one advising to assist students in becoming more connected to Whitman College and guide students to appropriate resources for support if experiencing academic or personal difficulties.  
• Recruit, train, and supervise a student staff and volunteers to assist with the design and delivery of Queer Resource Center programs, events, and initiatives that serve and engage the LGBTQIA community, promote identity development, and educate the Whitman community about LGBTQIA cultural wealth and anti-LGBTQIA narratives and systems.
• Coordinate with other Identity and Belonging units (Religious and Spiritual Life, Intercultural, Third  Space) to ensure intersectional responsiveness to LGBTQIA student needs and a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA) in programming and services provided. 
• Provide guidance and administrative/logistical support to LGBTQIA identity-based student organizations to help advance their mission, and promote their programs, events, and activities. 

Management (15%) 

• Provide supervision, mentoring, coaching, and evaluation of student staff. 
• Serve as a responsible steward of institutional funds allocated each fiscal year to support LGBTQIA programming and address community concerns. 
• In collaboration with University Communications, develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and outreach plan to promote LGBTQIA programs and services, including but not limited to social media, newsletters, events calendar, campus presentations, and other strategies. 
• Maintain awareness and adherence to College policies and procedures and serve as a source of information to current and prospective students regarding the same. 

Leadership and Professional Development (10%) 

• Serve on institutional committees related to the advancement of inclusive excellence at the College.
• Build and foster vital relationships with colleagues across the campus.  
• Engage in regular professional development activities (e.g. webinars, publications, etc.) to maintain fluency on DEIA concepts and critical issues for LGBTQIA communities in higher education. 

Assessment (10%) 

• Establish data-driven programmatic goals and benchmarks that center LGBTQIA student needs around identity, wellbeing, and belonging. 
• Implement assessment protocols for LGBTQIA programs and initiatives in alignment with the vision and goals of the Division and the College. Identify procedures for collecting and producing data that measures success.  
• Provide quarterly and year-end reports on LGBTQIA Student Services, including assessments of the area’s activities as well as any financial or staffing needs.  

College and Division Service (5%) 

• Periodically serve as an Equity/Inclusion Advocate on staff searches. 
• Additional duties as needed when bandwidth is available. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree. 
• 3 years of full-time, professional experience in higher education or related field (graduate degree in related field can be used in place of 1 year of experience).
• Experience working with historically marginalized communities.  
• Experience working with college students in a programmatic and advisory capacity.
• Ability to take initiative for projects and the development of services. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Experience with budget management and ethical resource stewardship. 
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, including their intersections with race, class, ability, and other identities.  
• Experience studying and advocating for issues of justice. 
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs and experiences of LGBTQIA students, including an awareness of the unique issues facing LGBTQIA students of color at predominantly white institutions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master’s degree.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS 

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for one Whitman course per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Learn more about benefits eligibility here. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin March 11, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

June 12, 2024 (or sooner)