Director, Asian American Center

The Asian American Center (AAC), founded in 1983 as a result of student activism, is a resource for the Asian and Asian American communities at Tufts University. The AAC fosters a supportive environment for the personal and social development of students through its programs and resources.

Asian American Center recognizes the diversity within the Asian American identity and other intersecting identities in the Tufts community, and advocates for students to have a successful college experience.

In collaboration with students, staff, faculty, and alumni, the AAC coordinates year-round programs and offers resources for the transition to college, provides social opportunities to learn from and engage with peers, and informs students of campus events and opportunities. The AAC is part of the Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) which aims to center diversity, inclusion, and equity issues on campus to support all students with a focus on those from historically marginalized communities.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Student Inclusive Excellence, the Director of the Asian American Center serves as a campus resource and educates the community on issues impacting the Asian and Asian American community. The Director provides support for undergraduate and graduate students primarily enrolled in the schools of Arts and Sciences, and Engineering. The Director will:

• Manage and oversee the Asian American Center in all aspect.
• Take the lead on strategic planning, administration, and leadership of the Center, including establishing its mission and vision.
• In partnership with the Associate Director, Program Administrator, and student leaders, the Director will create and maintain an atmosphere within the Center that serves as an intentional space in which students engage in ongoing dialogue around issues pertaining to the Asian and Asian American community.
• Work closely with students and student organizations to build leadership skills, plan events, develop relevant programming and initiatives, and address and respond to student concerns and crises.

As a member of the Division for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the AAC Director collaborates frequently with the staff of the other seven identity-based centers in the division (Africana, Center for STEM Diversity, FIRST, Indigenous, Latinx, LGBT, and Women's), in addition to other departments (Office for Campus Life, University Chaplaincy, Counseling and Mental Health Services, etc.). The Director will serve on a variety of school- and University-wide committees and working groups and will take on special projects and other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean for Student Inclusive Excellence.

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired by a Bachelor's degree; superb judgment, demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial and oral and written communication skills
• 8+ years relevant experience supporting student growth and development within an educational setting, preferably within a selective university or liberal arts college environment
• At least 5 years of experience developing student-facing programs, ideally within a university setting
• Deep expertise on how social identities will impact the experience of college students; strong background in understanding issues impacting the experience of students historically underrepresented at Tufts, including students of color, first-generation and undocumented students; and an awareness of various models for identity-based resource centers
• Demonstrated sensitivity, imagination, and effectiveness in developing educational and community programs; facility in designing programs and resources that consider cultural constructions of race as it intersects with gender, class, ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, and ability
• Experience working with students in crisis, with the demonstrated ability to respond effectively and appropriately
• Exceptional judgment and demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, take initiative, and independently produce high-quality work
• Previous supervisory or management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or doctorate degree preferred with 5+ years related experience

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

The role requires a strong presence on campus, with in-person interactions, some evening and weekend availability, and responsiveness outside of scheduled hours for student support and emergency response.