Chief of Staff for Diversity and Equity - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts - NORTH ADAMS

Chief of Staff for Diversity and Equity

NORTH ADAMS, MA

Full Time

Office and Administrative Support

Location: North Adams, MA Category: Administrative Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Thu Aug 6 2026 Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The Chief of Staff for Diversity and Equity serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and provides strategic leadership to advance the College's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The position collaborates with academic and administrative leaders to develop, implement, and assess policies, practices, and initiatives that promote access, inclusion, student success, and institutional excellence.

The Chief of Staff for Diversity and Equity works to establish and sustain responsive institutional structures and practices that support all members of the MCLA community, with particular emphasis on students and communities that have been historically underserved or excluded from higher education. The position partners with college leadership, faculty, staff, and shared governance bodies to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are embedded in institutional planning, decision-making, and daily operations. In addition, the role supports efforts to advance equitable access and success across academic programs and high-impact educational practices while fostering a campus culture grounded in dignity, mutual respect, and belonging.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Reports directly to the President.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: This position does not provide direct personnel supervision. The incumbent works collaboratively with faculty, staff, administrators, and campus committees across all divisions and serves as a ex-officio member of the Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. The position is housed within the President's Office.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Coordinate and facilitate cross-campus initiatives that advance the College's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
2. Partner with the President's Chief of Staff to support the Cabinet and Leadership Team in advancing institution-wide equity goals through strategic planning, communication, collaboration, and team development.
3. Collaborate with offices across campus to develop, implement, and assess training and professional development programs that strengthen competencies related to equity, inclusion, and belonging and enhance effectiveness in working across differences and with diverse populations.
4. Work with Human Resources and executive leadership to sustain equitable recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention practices that support the development of a workforce reflective of and responsive to the College's student population.
5. Partner with campus-wide committees, including but not limited to Strategic Planning, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee, and the Racial Equity and Justice Institute, to develop, implement, and assess initiatives that advance institutional equity and belonging and align with accreditation standards, strategic priorities, and the mission of MCLA.
6. Review and assess institutional policies, programs, practices, services, and resources through a lens of access, equity, engagement, student success, and belonging.
7. Analyze and leverage institutional data and assessment tools, including the Campus Climate Survey and NSSE, to inform decision-making and improve enrollment, persistence, engagement, and graduation outcomes for all students, particularly those historically excluded from higher education.
8. Identify policies, practices, and conditions that impede the creation of an inclusive and equitable campus environment and work collaboratively, under the President's guidance, to develop and implement solutions.
9. Lead campus-wide programs, initiatives, and communications that foster an inclusive and welcoming community by collaborating with faculty and staff on activities such as MCLA's Day of Dialogue, Lavender Lecture Series, Summit for Racial Equity, and other related programs.
10. Perform other duties as assigned by the President in support of institutional priorities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and student success.

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master's degree from an accredited institution.
2. Five to ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives within higher education, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or other public-serving institutions.
3. Demonstrated success leading organization-wide DEIB initiatives, programs, and strategic efforts.
4. Demonstrated experience using data and assessment results to inform decision-making and drive organizational improvement.
5. Demonstrated experience facilitating dialogue, workshops, training, or educational programs in higher education or comparable settings.
6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively, inclusively, and collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and experiences.
7. Experience teaching, training, coaching, or facilitating learning and skill development, preferably in a college or university setting.
8. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, apply critical thinking, and develop practical solutions to institutional challenges.
9. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across diverse constituencies.
10. Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, project management, and organizational effectiveness.
11. Demonstrated fiscal stewardship, budget management experience, and sound resource allocation practices.
12. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Earned doctorate or other terminal degree from an accredited institution.
2. Ten or more years of relevant leadership experience.
3. Current and relevant certifications, training, or professional development in areas such as cultural competency, restorative practices, conflict resolution, organizational change management, or related disciplines that support inclusive and equitable post-secondary educational environments.

DESIRED LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS:

The MCLA community has identified the following leadership characteristics as important for the Chief of Staff for Diversity and Equity:

1. Demonstrates action-oriented leadership informed by scholarship, reflection, and continuous learning.
2. Values collaboration, relationship building, and transparent communication.
3. Respects and encourages diverse perspectives, ideas, and approaches to problem-solving.
4. Actively listens to others and communicates ideas openly, respectfully, and constructively.
5. Fosters trust through transparency, integrity, and accountability.
6. Demonstrates a commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice.
7. Approaches student success from a growth-oriented and asset-based perspective.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, permanent, benefitted position starting in January 2027. There is some flexibility with the start date. Salary for this position is $115,000-$125,000 per year. 

Employee Benefits:

Health Insurance: MCLA offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.

Retirement: The MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.   Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.

Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.

Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources. 

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.  

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both. 

Lucas Morrill

Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator 

375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 

Telephone: (413) 662-5103

Titleix@mcla.edu 

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights  

33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424  

Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172  

OCR.Boston@ed.gov