Program Associate, Diversity, Equity, and Student Success (DESS)

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the vitality and democratic purposes of undergraduate liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. In addition to accredited public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities and state higher education systems and agencies throughout the United States, our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions in more than twenty-five countries as well as other organizations and individuals. To learn more, visit www.aacu.org

The DESS Program Associate is responsible for providing administrative and program support for grant-funded projects and summer institutes sponsored by DESS. These include the Institutes on High-Impact Practices and Student Success, and Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

These tasks include, but are not limited to:

  • Coordinate and assist with the implementation of the summer institutes on HIPs and TRHT Campus Centers
  • Manage communications with project participants, institute faculty, speakers, and campus teams
  • Provide administrative support for sponsored projects and institute application and selection processes
  • Maintain and upload programming and institute attendance tracking as well as data entry
  • Edit programs, brochures, correspondence, and other written materials
  • Develop and maintain DESS and Institute web pages
  • Prepare and handle mailings and correspondence
  • Process expense reimbursements and bills
  • Manage specified budget records, conference calls, project meetings, and webinars
  • Maintain and organize DESS electronic files
  • Collaborate with other DESS staff and internal offices on the logistics and programs for DESS events
  • Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication, and editing skills
  • Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills
  • Strong computer skills and database management skills, including MS Office suite
  • Outstanding attention to detail, with understanding of larger contexts
  • Experience working with diverse populations
  • Dependability, flexibility, and strict confidentiality
  • Experience maintaining and monitoring budgets
  • An understanding of and commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Ability to work both collaboratively, as a member of a team, and independently to accomplish goals
  • Effective time management skills with the ability to balance and set priorities among many tasks and meet deadlines
  • Self-directed ability to thrive in a fast-paced advocacy organization at the center of higher education reform

At least 1-2 years of work experience in higher education and/or meeting planning required. A bachelor’s degree is also required, and a master’s degree is plus.

Please submit a resume, a cover letter describing relevant work and educational experience and salary requirements to AAC&U, Box DESS, 1818 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, or to [email protected]. Review of applications will begin on September 12, 2022.

AAC&U believes that a broadly diverse staff is critical to achieving excellence as a national higher education association. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity and compliance with the full range of fair employment practices and non-discrimination laws.