Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Witt/Kieffer

DeKalb, Illinois

Posted in Education and Training


This job has expired.

Job Info


Northern Illinois University (NIU) invites applications for the position of vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer (VPDEI). NIU seeks an accomplished, collaborative leader to advance its strong culture of inclusive excellence consistent with the university's mission, vision and values. NIU celebrates diversity in all its forms including gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, language, physical ability, socioeconomic status, faith, political belief, age and sexual orientation.

NIU is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university with expertise that benefits its region, and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields. Located 65 miles from Chicago in DeKalb, IL, the university offers baccalaureate, master's, doctoral and law degrees across more than 40 academic departments and seven colleges. NIU serves a large, diverse, urban, suburban and rural population, including many first-generation college students. NIU's fall 2022 enrollment of 15,649 students consisted of 11,429 undergraduate students, 3,908 graduate students, 312 law students and included 966 international students from 76 different countries. NIU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral University/High Research Activity (R2) and Community Engaged University.

Reporting to President Lisa C. Freeman, the VPDEI serves as the primary advisor to NIU's president, provost and members of the university community on all matters related to maintaining and enhancing an inclusive campus environment, and provides strategic leadership and management in the development and implementation of relevant policies. The VPDEI is empowered to provide vision, leadership and counsel on strategies and priorities regarding DEI, as well as to ensure alignment of all DEI initiatives.

The VPDEI will join NIU at a time of great opportunity as the university transitions to a proactive, multiyear planning cycle that balances the institution's need for financial stability with its high expectations and aspirations for students, faculty and staff. NIU has a strong $421 million budget, and has benefitted in recent years from the state of Illinois' noteworthy support of an equity agenda that features significant investment in higher education, and financial aid for students from underserved and under-resourced communities.

The VPDEI will lead and provide strategic direction for the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) - the unit that leads the charge in establishing an equity-minded community through its educational programs, resources, partnerships and collaborative engagement with offices, colleges and departments throughout campus. The VPDEI must be an experienced leader with progressive responsibility for initiatives focused on increasing DEI in the academic setting through research; student, faculty and staff engagement; curricular innovation; and policy reform. They must possess a keen sense of the various challenges facing higher education - especially those specific to a public research university of NIU's size and complexity - and must have at least five years of senior-level leadership experience.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities

NIU seeks an innovative, collaborative leader with the vision, commitment and expertise to advocate and champion for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the university in concert with programs, centers and its communities.

Minimum Qualifications

  • A terminal degree in an academic discipline. Demonstrated understanding of the mission and goals of a research university; of academic culture and governance; of the needs and concerns of students, faculty and staff from underrepresented backgrounds; and of research and the national conversation on how best to promote equity, inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. Experience in higher education leadership with a minimum of five years of senior level leadership experience, including direct supervision of director-level professionals.

Preferred Qualifications and Personal Characteristics

  • Demonstrated success as an effective collaborator and team leader advancing university-wide strategic initiatives. Proven ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders in a collaborative, collegial manner. Experience promoting and sustaining a community that sees the values of equity-mindedness, inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity as fundamental parts of its mission. A record of thought leadership and administrative accomplishments, including a distinguished record of advancing diversity and equity in a complex organization. Experience as an influential communicator with the ability to clearly explain complex concepts to a variety of audiences and diverse constituencies.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at www.wittkieffer.com.

WittKieffer is assisting Northern Illinois University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by April 17, 2023. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Christine J. Pendleton and Meredith Davis at NorthernIllinoisVPDEI@wittkieffer.com.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.


This job has expired.

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