Director, African American Student Services

The University of New Mexico invites applications for the position of Director, African American Student Services (AASS). This is an exciting opportunity for a student-centered leader to advance student success through educational, cultural, and community-based initiatives that promote engagement, belonging, leadership development, and academic achievement. The Director will lead programs and initiatives that increase awareness and appreciation of African American, African, and broader African Diasporic histories, cultures, experiences, and contributions.

Reporting to the Executive Director for Student Support within the Division of Student Affairs, the Director provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction for AASS, including its staff, programs, services, operations, resources, and campus and community partnerships. The Director leads the development of initiatives that support student retention, persistence, engagement, well-being, leadership development, and graduation while creating opportunities for students to connect, learn, and achieve their goals throughout their university experience.

The Director works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to enhance student engagement and support student success. Serving as a resource to the University, the Director provides consultation, expertise, and partnership to advance institutional initiatives, strengthen institutional practices, and support programs and partnerships that enrich the broader university community.

The Director represents AASS and the University through strategic partnerships, community engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and serves as a special advisor to the President on matters related to African American/Black student experiences and community engagement.

African American Student Services is a unit within the Division of Student Affairs and works in close partnership with other Student Support units and student resource centers across the University to advance student success, engagement, and belonging for all students.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and University Engagement

• Provides leadership and coordinates University efforts to advance short- and long-term goals, priorities, and commitments related to the mission of African American Student Services and the academic, personal, cultural, and professional success of students.
• Collaborates with University administration, including leaders from the Division for Change and Empowerment (DiCE), Enrollment Management, Office of Advising Strategies, academic units, and other campus partners to strengthen student success, engagement, retention, and graduation.
• Serves as a resource for the University on matters related to student success, engagement, and community partnerships, with particular expertise regarding African American/Black students, communities, histories, and experiences.
• Collaborates with University leadership and campus partners to advance the mission and strategic priorities of African American Student Services through the development and strengthening of institutional practices, programs, partnerships, and community engagement.

Student Success, Education, and Cultural Programming

• Develops and advances programs, services, initiatives, and partnerships that address barriers to student success and support academic achievement, persistence, graduation, engagement, well-being, and professional development.
• Provides consultation and expertise on effective and culturally responsive practices that support student recruitment, transition, engagement, retention, graduation, and overall success.
• Develops and delivers educational, cultural, academic, and community programs, conferences, workshops, and other opportunities that deepen knowledge and appreciation of Afro-Diasporic histories, cultures, experiences, and contributions. Facilitates and coordinates relevant University and community events at the local, regional, and national levels, as appropriate.

Assessment, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness

• Collects and analyzes relevant data regarding student experiences, needs, participation, retention, graduation, and other indicators of student success; identifies trends and opportunities for strengthening programs, services, and institutional practices.
• Develops and maintains appropriate assessment practices and utilizes quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the effectiveness, reach, and impact of unit-level programs and initiatives, including their contributions to student engagement, retention, graduation, and success.
• Prepares and disseminates periodic reports on the activities, reach, outcomes, and contributions of African American Student Services; analyzes relevant trends and uses findings to inform planning, program development, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.

Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Representation

• Establishes and sustains relationships between the University and community organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, alumni, and other partners to support community-based research, educational programs, community engagement, service initiatives, and opportunities that benefit students and communities.
• Develops relationships and provide leadership, as appropriate, with local, state, and federal governmental entities, educational institutions, and local and national organizations to advance educational opportunities, college access, student success, and pathways between secondary and postsecondary education.
• Represents African American Student Services and the University within the institution and externally with governmental agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, alumni, students and families, professional organizations, and the general public.

Organizational Leadership, Resources, and Administration

• Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational and staffing structure that effectively supports AASS's mission, goals, programs, and services; oversees the recruitment, training, supervision, professional development, and evaluation of staff.
• Develops and manages AASS's annual budget and resources; establishes priorities for the responsible stewardship of University resources and conducts appropriate financial, cost, and program analyses.
• Identifies and pursues external funding, grants, gifts, partnerships, and other resource-development opportunities that advance the mission, programs, services, and long-term sustainability of African American Student Services; develops and prepares grant proposals as appropriate.
• Serves as a Campus Security Authority as outlined by the Clery Act.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of African American Student Services at the University, impacting thousands of students, faculty, and staff. If you are a strategic leader passionate about student engagement and community well-being, we invite you to apply.

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs is comprised of student-centered units and services dedicated to advancing the quality, cohesiveness, and cultural relevancy of the student experience on the Albuquerque campus and beyond. Through a commitment to equity, belonging, and holistic student development, the Division partners across the institution to ensure students are supported academically, socially, and personally. This is an exciting time to join the Division as we advance our 2025-2030 strategic plan, Innovating the Student Experience, which positions Student Affairs to be a global leader in providing an innovative, equitable, and culturally responsive student experience grounded in a strong sense of place and tradition.

About The University of New Mexico

UNM is a highly research-intensive, R1 public research university with an enrollment of approximately 24,000 students, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico-a city with over 300 days of sunshine annually. UNM proudly holds Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status and enrolls the highest percentage of American Indian students among its R1 peers. As a vital driver of educational equity in New Mexico, nearly 50% of UNM students are first-generation college students.

Benefits and Work-Life Balance

As an employee of UNM, being a Lobo means access to a robust and comprehensive benefits package, extensive professional resources, and a wide range of perks, from tuition remission and discounted event tickets to comprehensive health coverage. UNM is committed to employee well-being and supports work-life balance through wellness programs, paid parental leave, and generous leave benefits.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Progressive professional experience in higher education, student affairs, student support services, community engagement, cultural centers, or a related field.
• Experience developing, implementing, and assessing programs or initiatives that support student engagement, leadership development, retention, persistence, and student success.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to advance organizational or student success goals.
• Supervisory experience, including the recruitment, development, evaluation, and management of professional and/or student staff.
• Knowledge of student development theory, leadership development, and culturally responsive practices that support student learning, engagement, and success.
• Experience utilizing assessment, program evaluation, and data-informed decision-making to improve programs, services, and outcomes.
• Experience establishing and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, alumni, or professional associations.

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Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.