Director of Belonging

Working Title: Director of Belonging

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Accessibility and Belonging

Department: 100154 - Ctr for Multicultural Student Services

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $90,000 - $95,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 06/24/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

Student Affairs is currently seeking applicants for the Director of Belonging. This Director will lead the Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) and other belonging programming and initiatives. CMSS is an integral part of the student experience at James Madison University and strives to support campus through dialogue, leadership experiences, and celebrations beyond the classroom that honor all students. CMSS remains steadfast in assisting the university in its overall goal of promoting a welcoming community. The Center also seeks to encourage students to achieve and maintain academic excellence while assisting them in making successful adjustments to university life.

This area is a part of Student Affairs at JMU. Student Affairs' mission is to engage all students in accessible and inclusive learning, growth, and personal development opportunities and experiences.

Student Affairs Values:
Focusing on Students
Leading Courageously
Transcending Boundaries
Creating Belonging
Embracing Innovation and Change
Honoring and Valuing Our Staff
Promoting Health and Well-being

Duties and Responsibilities:

#1: Departmental Leadership

• Serves as a member of the Student Affairs Senior Leadership team and will attend all meetings. They will actively participate in university and Student Affairs initiatives and decision making.
• In situations not addressed by policies and procedures, decision-making is in alignment with the highest professional and ethical standards.
• The Director of Belonging oversees Center for Multicultural Student Services department to include programming, student and community support, assessment efforts, fiscal management, budget development, and administrative task load.
• Oversees the creation, implementation coordination, of student support initiatives to provide direct services and holistic student development opportunities for students at JMU.
• Leads departmental assessment efforts to include outcomes creation, aligning with Divisional and University strategic priorities and curricular approach, gathering and analysis of collected data, and creation of reports, presentations, and utilization of results to improve student service and experiences. Collaborates with CARS, SA Assessment Team, etc.
• Supervises departmental fiscal management in alignment with relevant rules and processes.
• Serve as a model for administrative task management, decision-making, and community builder.
• Completion of administrative tasks and assignments in a timely and professional manner.
• Responsible for policy interpretation and decision-making aligned with the department's and division’s mission and goals.  
• Leads the development and execution of strategies that empower staff to design and implement programs that promote cultural awareness, appreciation, and celebration of cultural heritages and contributions.
• Oversees the flow of information within and beyond the department regarding University and Departmental missions, visions, values, goals, policies, issues, and decisions.
  
  

#2: Departmental Function:  

• Knowledgeable about all department student support services, including all programs, events, initiatives, presentations, committee assignments, policies, partnerships, graphics, communications etc. Provide support and direction to staff when appropriate.
  (e.g., Pre-Weeks of Welcome Program, Empowerment Network (mentor program), THE DONNING: An Academic Recognition Celebration, student leader conference, Dukes Care Days, peer education (DEEP Impact), heritage celebrations, lounges etc., Intercultural Greek Council, LGBTQ+ programming, Multicultural Student Leadership orgs, summits, etc.)
• Directs the development of departmental and individual goals and objectives tied to the university and divisional missions/strategic plan (e.g., Health & Well-being model).
• Develops strategies for accomplishing goals and objectives and manages resources effectively.
• Leads the staff in periodically reviewing and revising department vision, mission, values, goals, and objectives.
• Provides strong leadership and direction for the department’s strategic plan.
• Anticipates, identifies, and responds to issues related to departmental functions.
• Investigates new methodologies and technologies that may have impact on the effectiveness of departmental functions.
• At times, to maintain connection to students, serve as a supplemental advisor or student support staff, who works to improve student success outcomes, holistic development, and academic success for the students who utilize student spaces in the department. Otherwise, work to support and ensure staff are equipped to do so.
• Foster a safe environment where all students can share their lived experiences, feel seen and heard, and develop a strong sense of belonging within the JMU community.
• Serve as an advocate and ally for all students and those from underrepresented communities. 
  
  

#3: Departmental Supervision of Staff:  

• Oversees the recruitment, selection, orientation, development, and incorporation of staff from different backgrounds.
• Supervise senior staff and selected support staff and delegate authority and responsibility for effective goal achievement.
• Creatively addresses staff shortages, vacancies, and all other personnel matters.
• Supports staff in increasing their capabilities to contribute through departmental training and professional development.

#4: Department Organizational Development: 

• Creates a safe working environment for staff and students that advances individual and professional goals of staff members and department.
• Promotes a productive, creative working environment.
• Demonstrates fairness in decisions that impact staff members.
• Neither avoids nor exacerbates problematic issues. Addresses challenges and conflicts in a mature and healthy fashion.
• Works cooperatively with other staff members to advance the general mission of the department.
• Model high performance standards when under pressure.

#5: Departmental Collaboration and Consultation

• Acts as an expert, collaborator, and advocate within their field and contributes to the field’s body of knowledge.
• Collaborates with other departments to create educational environments for students by integrating learning and leadership opportunities.
• Coordinates with other offices to ensure the availability of services and to avoid duplication of services.
• Demonstrate managing and building relationships with multiple stakeholders including but not limited to JMU alumni/associations/groups.
• Serve as a liaison to other departments within Student Affairs and mandated reporting resources when needed.
• Promotes an environment of collaboration and partnerships both within and outside the department serving on various committees to ensure that the department, Student Affairs, and university goals are in alignment.
• Contributes to comprehensive hazing prevention strategies in alignment with divisional strategic planning,  institutional values and national best practices. Including educational programming, policy enforcement, and collaboration with student organizations and campus stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Required:

• History of progressive leadership in Student Affairs or related field; candidates should possess a minimum of three years' experience in leadership position at an assistant director level or higher
• Experience supervising full-time staff
• Experience advocating for and working directly with students and student groups
• Strong commitment to holistic education and student development
• A record of collaboration across functional work areas
• A record of evidence-based strategic planning and assessment
• Ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders
• Knowledge of current policy and trends in higher education

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.