Posted: October 13, 2023
Summary of Position
The University of Connecticut School of Law seeks to hire an Assistant Dean for Diversity, Belonging, and Community Engagement (USP 3) to commence in January 2024. This position is a twelve-month management-exempt position. The successful applicant will have demonstrated commitment, knowledge, and experience in advancing an institution’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals. The Assistant Dean is a member of the Law School’s leadership team and reports to and serves at the pleasure of the Dean.
The Assistant Dean serves as a partner with the Dean to build upon efforts to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the Law School and legal profession in areas including, but not limited to, access, curriculum, classroom dynamics, hiring practices, professional development, and alumni/bar/community relations. In collaboration with appropriate members of the Law School community, the Assistant Dean participates in decision-making and strategic development impacting all Law School operations to achieve greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within and among constituencies; recruit and support a diverse student body, faculty, and staff; create and/or liaise with pipeline programs; and achieve true inclusion by all members of the Law School community. The Assistant Dean provides resources for cultural competency and anti-bias education for students, faculty, staff, and administration and partners with members of the legal and greater community to host programs and speakers appropriate to the issues of the day in furtherance of the Law School’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals.
Additional Information
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborating with the Dean, administrative colleagues, and relevant constituencies to develop an annual diversity, belonging, and community engagement work plan setting goals for the academic year and working collaboratively to achieve its execution.
- Collaborating with the chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Committee to strategize, develop programs, and implement new initiatives that achieve a diverse community whose hallmarks are equity and belongingness.
- Developing programming for students, staff, faculty, and administrators related to cultural competency, anti-bias, and the importance of forming an inclusive community.
- Collaborating with Associate Deans to host pedagogy workshops related to inclusive teaching.
- Working with faculty to incorporate discussions of the law’s interaction with race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic issues and disparities in a course’s curriculum.
- Collaborating with the Faculty Appointments Committee and staff search committees to ensure best hiring practices that produce a diverse pool of candidates and finalists.
- Partnering with Student Affairs to serve as a resource for addressing the concerns of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds (e.g. religious, socioeconomic, racial, gender/sexual identity, immigrants, veterans, individuals with disabilities, etc.).
- Partnering with Admissions to enhance the pipeline and recruitment of law students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
- Representing the Law School at various recruitment functions around the country, particularly those involving recruitment of traditionally underrepresented students.
- Speaking at select Admissions seminars and Open House programs and events and serving as a resource for prospective students, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, as necessary.
- Partnering with the Center for Career Development to ensure students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds understand the breadth of their opportunities and have the skills to identify career paths and employers that will enhance their growth and success in the legal profession.
- Partnering with the Dean and Director of Alumni Relations to engage alumni from diverse backgrounds and strengthen relationships with affinity bar organizations.
- Assisting the Dean in strengthening relationships between the Law School and community organizations.
- Creating and/or liaising with pathway programs in which the Law School is involved.
- Attending bi-weekly Senior Management and Reporting Team and Leadership Team meetings to support the infusion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging considerations in all policy and operational aspects of Law School operations.
- Serving as an ex-officio member on various faculty committees.
- Other responsibilities as designated by the Dean.
How to Apply
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #497944 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Any questions about the search may be directed to the search committee chair, Dean Eboni Nelson, at lawdean@uconn.edu.