The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) is searching for Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Outreach (DEIO) who will work with the entire faculty-staff-student-scientist community to mentor individuals and groups, to enhance awareness of DEI matters, and to steer initiatives that will improve the diversity and climate in the departments and in the school.   

Duties & Responsibilities

• Interact with faculty, staff, and students in each of the four SMCB departments and the Biophysics program to assess and enhance DEI awareness by holding town hall meetings, workshops, and small group discussions. Develop, implement, and run School-wide lectures, workshops, professional networking opportunities, and other activities designed to improve overall climate and retention of underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students. Act as liaison for such events with relevant SMCB student groups
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of SMCB Graduate Program, MCB departmental leadership, and the departmental graduate program directors to develop new policies and initiatives to address graduate student climate. Conduct climate survey in each department and program, prepare reports, and share it with the College of LAS
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of the SMCB Undergraduate Instruction Program to create programing for instructors and staff including workshops to increase awareness of and fluency with issues and topics related to DEI
• Collaborate with the Associate Directors of SMCB Undergraduate Instruction Program and Graduate Program to plan and execute initiatives to provide support for historically underrepresented students with the goal of improving retention of these students in our programs.
• Offer individualized support to graduate students through confidential advising, particularly taking a lead role in mentoring women scientists and students of color.
• Act in an advisory role to the graduate admissions committees in the School for recruiting women, students of color, and other groups that have been historically underrepresented in biology, and recommending fellowship offers to underrepresented applicants in the biological sciences
• Attend and coordinate SMCB representation at relevant conferences for graduate student recruiting purposes. Build long-term strategic recruiting partnerships with minority-serving institutions.
• Serve as an ombudsperson for graduate students, and as liaison to campus organizations such as OAE (Office for Access & Equity), OSCR (Office of Student Conflict Resolution), Women’s Resource Center (WRC), McKinley Health and the Counseling Center
• Organize student surveys and other information-gathering tools such as one-on-one and exit interview meetings related to diversity and departmental climate.
• Serve on and advise departmental committees on diversity and climate issues
• In partnership with the LAS Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, coordinate leadership and management training workshops for faculty and selected staff.
• Implement the School’s DEI and outreach initiatives by working with alumni, the Champaign-Urbana community and the School’s corporate partners to formulate initiatives and plans that will improve the diversity in the MCB departments and the School.
• Work with the SMCB Communications team to build a School-wide communications strategy for DEI relevant communications and outreach to the Champaign-Urbana community and beyond.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field such as Public Health and Education Policy (bioscience-related).
• Two years of demonstrated successful experience in at least 2 of these areas: working with graduate and/or undergraduate students? working with diverse populations? leadership in DEI programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in STEM or closely related field.
• Experience in higher education administration.
• Working in a STEM field either in public education, outreach, research, or industry.
• Certified Diversity Professional (CDE) or equivalent credential.

Successful candidates will have the following:  Ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities. Excellent communication skills. Commitment to working with diverse populations and diverse constituencies to forge practical solutions to complex problems. Familiarity with current national research and initiatives in the areas of diversity and multicultural issues. Excellent ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, with a wide range of on-campus and off-campus constituencies. Excellent intercultural skills and a commitment to inclusivity. Must be diplomatic and possess strong integrity.