Executive Equity Officer

Position Overview
Adams State is seeking its first Executive Equity Officer (EEO). This transformative leader will have a broad portfolio to introduce meaningful, equitable, and inclusive changes in the areas of evaluation, policy, hiring, professional development, programming, and support. The EEO will report directly to the University President and will serve on the Executive Council. The EEO will be instrumental in critical evaluation and assessment of institutional policies and procedures to reach equitable and inclusive outcomes. The EEO's equity lens will enhance outcomes for employees and students through direct oversight of recruiting, onboarding, retention, culturally-relevant programming, campus culture, and morale. The EEO will lead cross-divisional and university-wide work to create an environment of belonging for all members of Adams State. The EEO will foster an inclusive environment that supports the full spectrum of diversity at Adams State including all racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, national origins, disabilities, age, veteran status, religious/political beliefs, affectional and sexual orientations, gender identities and expression, and lived experiences.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate current policies and practices to implement more equitable procedures and standards
• Facilitate the creation of an institutional strategic plan for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) identified goals and objectives.
• Operationalize Adams State's designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
• Strategize ways to Increase the diversity of student enrollment and support a culture of belonging for retention of diverse students.
• Assess potential barriers and implement strategies focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty across all academic areas.
• Assess potential barriers and implement strategies focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty to increase the diversity of staff throughout all university units.
• Evaluate campus climate for students, faculty, and staff to inform data-driven decisions regarding EDI initiatives.
• Build and strengthen collaboration and an inclusive community
• Consult with leaders across campus operations, including but not limited, to Academic Affairs, Athletics, Student Affairs, and several shared governance groups, using institutional data to assess programs, policies, and services.
• Collaborate with, convene, and oversee EDI groups throughout the university
• Lead and oversee cross-divisional and university-wide work to create an equitable environment for all members of the university.
• Disseminate EDI related communication and develop training and educational programming to advance Adams State University's strategic plan.
• Apply an equity lens to campus operations
• Serve as strategic advisor to the President and Executive Council on university-wide inclusion, diversity, engagement, and communications issues and initiatives throughout the university.
• Examine policies through an antiracist and equity-minded lens and amend any policies or practices to be equitable.
• Lead efforts to gather and analyze appropriate data and develop campus metrics for assessing EDI-related programs and services to address potential systemic injustices and promote equity within the university.
• Evaluate campus climate for students, faculty, and staff and inform data-driven decisions regarding EDI initiatives.
• Ensure that revised policies and procedures will address identified barriers or hindrances to student success.
• Support and strengthen existing reporting and investigative processes and procedures.
• Recognize, celebrate, and enhance diverse cultures
• Support culturally-relevant programming, including, but not limited to, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, National Native American Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, etc.
• Provide expert guidance for diverse and inclusive recruitment and retention of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff in collaboration with Admissions, Graduate Studies, Human Resources, and the Office of Equal Opportunity Employment.
• Foster community relations among the university, city, region, and funding sources
• Represent Adams State University in both internal and external engagements, activities, and communications focused on inclusion, diversity, and engagement initiatives and leadership.
• Consider and support the identification and implementation of grants and grant objectives.
• Provide regular updates to university leadership and community stakeholders regarding progress and implementation of equity-related work.