Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence, College of LAS

Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The LAS Office for Inclusive Excellence is dedicated to building a community where everyone feels supported, respected, and empowered to succeed. We want everyone to be able to do their best work in the College of LAS. We champion equity and belonging through programs that uplift diverse voices, enrich the academic environment for all and develop principled academic governance in our units.

The LAS Office for Inclusive Excellence is searching for an Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence.

Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence - Duties & Qualifications

The Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence supports and coordinates key Inclusive Excellence (IE) initiatives across the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences(LAS) by managing project timelines, maintaining organized records, and preparing materials that communicate program impact. The role advances student engagement, cultural programming, and community building efforts by collaborating with campus partners, facilitating events, and strengthening relationships with student leaders. Additionally, the position assists with IE training efforts and contributes to data collection and reporting to inform ongoing program development.

Duties & Responsibilities

Inclusive Excellence Program Support

• Coordinating Inclusive Excellence (IE) initiatives across LAS.
• Support the development of project timelines and help track progress using project management software.
• Maintain organized records of IE initiatives, activities, and communication archives.
• Assist in preparing materials and presentations that highlight IE program outcomes.
• Contribute to updating website content and drafting materials for the IE newsletter.

Student Engagement

• Execute student engagement strategies that advance IE priorities.
• Work collaboratively with SAAO on student-related activities and assist with logistics, communication, and resource needs.
• Serve as a liaison with student affairs partners to encourage involvement in IE-related programming.
• Build relationships with student leaders and help incorporate their perspectives into IE efforts.

Cultural Event Coordination

• Execute IE cultural events, workshops, and educational programs.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to support events that promote cross cultural learning.
• Manage logistics such as scheduling, vendor coordination, publicity, and event materials.
• Gather and summarize event feedback to support continuous improvement.

Community Building and Support

• Help facilitate community building initiatives that foster inclusion within LAS.
• Assist in organizing forums, dialogues, and engagement opportunities related to diversity and inclusion.
• Collaborate with student services to offer supportive resources to students when relevant.

Inclusive Excellence Training

• Assist with organizing IE training sessions and workshops for students, faculty, and staff.
• Stay informed on current best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion training.

Data and Reporting Assistance

• Support collection and basic analysis of data related to student engagement and IE programming.
• Help compile summary reports and recommendations to inform program development.

Required Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree.
* Two (2) years of education, training and/or work experience in project coordination, inclusive excellence, student engagement, or related area. (Note: Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional work experience managing projects.
• Experience in higher education environment.
• Demonstrated experience with project management software.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to build rapport and establish effective working relationships with co-workers and invested parties from a wide variety of disciplines.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Ability to work independently while seeking guidance as needed.
• Demonstrated effective time management skills.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, data entry, and record keeping.

Senior Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence - Duties & Qualifications

The Senior Assistant Director for Inclusive Excellence leads and coordinates major Inclusive Excellence (IE) initiatives within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences(LAS) by managing project workflows, timelines, and communication. The role drives student engagement, cultural programming, community building efforts, and IE training while also developing strategic communications such as the IE website, newsletter, and strategic plan. Additionally, the position analyzes data to assess program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement efforts.

IE Project Administrator

• Create processes and systems to manage the flow of work for LAS Inclusive Excellence projects
• Operationalize projects, creating timelines and assigning tasks to team members.
• Oversee project review process, managing changes and edits from all invested parties.
• Anticipate and mitigate problems, create project timelines, and develop IE project benchmark reports.
• Lead user of the team project management software for IE projects.
• Maintain detailed, complete, and timely records with regard to IE projects.
• Develops presentations to highlight IE project outcomes.
• Co-lead the development of the LAS Inclusive Excellence website and the bi-annual LAS Inclusive Excellence newsletter.
• Co-lead the development and writing of the LAS Inclusive Excellence strategic plan.

Student Engagement

• Develop and execute student engagement strategies that promote IE initiatives on campus.
• Work collaboratively with SAAO on student-related activities and assist with logistics, communication and resources.
• Develop partnerships with student affairs professionals to enhance student involvement in IE-related activities.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with student leaders, ensuring their active participation in IE programs.

Cultural Event Planning

• Plan, coordinate, and execute IE cultural events, workshops, and seminars and promoting crosscultural understanding.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to identify key cultural events and celebrations to include in the annual calendar.
• Secure funding and resources for cultural events, including grant applications and sponsorships.
• Evaluate the success of cultural events through feedback and participation metrics, making necessary adjustments for improvement.

Community Building

• Cultivate an inclusive and welcoming campus environment where students from all backgrounds feel valued and supported.
• Organize regular community-building events, forums, and dialogues encouraging open discussions on diversity and inclusion topics.
• Collaborate with student services and counseling to support students facing IE-related challenges.

Inclusive Excellence Training

• Assist in developing and delivering IE training programs and workshops for students, faculty, and staff.
• Partner with our campus units to ensure IE training is integrated into various educational experiences.
• Keep up-to-date with best practices and emerging IE training and education trends.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Collect and analyze data related to student engagement and IE efforts, preparing reports to assess progress and impact.
• Use data-driven insights to make recommendations for program improvements and resource allocation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Three (3) years of education, training and/or work experience in project management, inclusive excellence, student engagement, or related area. (Note: Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)
• Experience in a higher education administration and project development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional work experience managing projects.
• Demonstrated experience working with project management software. (examples Basecamp and Microsoft Teams).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to build rapport and establish effective working relationships with co-workers and invested parties from a wide variety of disciplines.
• Outstanding organizational skills and with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Ability to communicate with others clearly to achieve desired results.
• Must be proactive, able to prioritize, and adapt in an ever changing environment.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Demonstrated effective time management skills.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets and data management.
• Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The budgeted salary range for the Assistant Director position is $70-80,000; the budgeted salary range for the Senior Assistant Director position is $70-88,000. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule (remote work and in-person work in Champaign-Urbana each week) after an initial on-site training period, per the University of Illinois workplace flexibility guidelines .

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 20, 2026 . To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at , use the Apply Now button on the posting and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all relevant experiences.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

For further information about this specific position, please contact [email protected] . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected] .

Requisition ID : 1035223

Job Category : Professional and Administrative

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