Opportunity

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Blacksburg, Virginia

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.

Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech has evolved into a comprehensive university of national and international prominence. With about 28,400 students in Blacksburg and 2,400 other students statewide, the university produces world-class scholarship in a challenging academic environment. Our nine colleges and Graduate School offer more degree programs – approximately 200 – than any other university in the state. Virginia Tech employs a full-time teaching and research faculty of 2,100 and a staff of over 3,200. The University has an annual budget of approximately $1 billion, an endowment currently valued at $ $454.7 million, and remains in the top 50 nationally with annual research expenditures nearly $373 million. The main campus is in Blacksburg, Virginia, approximately 38 miles southwest of Roanoke. For more information about the university, please visit http://www.vt.edu.

The position of Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion was established in 1998 as part of a larger effort to bring diversity, inclusion, and campus climate issues to the forefront of university life. Since its inception, this position has been instrumental in the development of the university’s first Diversity Strategic Plan, the creation of the Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity, and the formulation and adoption of the Principles of Community by the campus community (visit http://www.vt.edu/diversity/).

The Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion serves as the University's chief diversity officer and reports directly to the President, with responsibility for advancing the university’s goal of embracing diversity in pursuit of inclusive excellence. He/she is the senior advisor to the President on matters of diversity and serves as a member of the President’s cabinet. The Vice President is charged with producing measurable results in terms of improving the diversity and inclusiveness of the campus through innovative efforts to recruit and retain high-quality faculty, students, and staff; and with making steady progress toward ensuring that Virginia Tech is an inclusive community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. To that end, the Vice President is fully engaged with the faculty, student, and staff communities and forges strong collaborative relationships with the administration and an array of offices across the university. Additionally, the Vice President is an ambassador for the university, building relationships with external constituencies and playing a prominent role in fundraising activities for diversity initiatives.

The Vice President must have a passion for building an inclusive community that maximizes the benefits of a multicultural perspective, and be results-oriented. He/she must be an effective communicator—creative, energetic, inspirational, and resourceful in generating enthusiasm and support for the university’s diversity plans and goals. He/she must have a demonstrated commitment to diversity and a record of successful implementation of programs designed to enhance diversity and/or improve climate within a university setting, as well as the ability to forge constructive relationships and build consensus across organizational bounds and with external constituencies. A graduate degree and least seven years of progressive professional experience in higher education, including supervision of professional staff are required.

Apply on line at www.jobs.vt.edu posting number 0100169 and attach the following documents:  letter, resume, and contact information for five references. The review date is April 30, 2010.

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications can be made directly to William Spelman Executive Search at VT@wspelman.com or (585) 787-9742

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity.

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