Director of the Residential Commons Program

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY

ID: 7136140 (Ref.No. 3855 Colgate)
Posted: March 24, 2023
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

Colgate University is a highly selective liberal arts institution known for its intellectual rigor, world-class professors and staff, a campus of stunning beauty, and alumni famously loyal to their alma mater. Ranked among the top twenty liberal arts colleges in the country by US News & World Report, Colgate offers a challenging academic environment and close contact with faculty and staff. Established in 1819, the university seeks to continue its tradition of academic excellence with a comprehensive Third-Century Plan designed to take the institution into the next century. Providing over 55 bachelor's and master's degree programs, Colgate is predominantly residential and enrolls 3,000 students representing 50 states and 74 countries. The university is located in Hamilton, New York, recognized as one of the country's most friendly towns, and is within one hour's driving time of Syracuse and Utica. Colgate was named in 2022 as one of the Top 30 Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs by ACPA and Diverse Issues in Higher Education for a second consecutive year.

Reporting to the assistant vice president for residential planning and programs, the director of the residential commons program is an integral member of the dean of the college division. The director has significant responsibility for ensuring the success of the residential commons program, launched in 2014. The director will help to advance the original goals of the program, outline a continuing vision and assessment process for the program, and have frequent, collaborative interactions with faculty and staff co-directors, residential life staff, faculty and staff affiliates, residential fellows, and students residing in the four (eventually five) residential commons. The residential commons program, which includes over 1,700 students in 22 residential facilities, is foundational to the first- and second-year experience at Colgate. The director will work closely with the residential life staff and assistant director of new student programs and a broader team within the dean of the college division to advance the division’s goals for first- and second-year student development and engagement.

The successful candidate will have a master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, or a related field with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience working with living-learning communities and/or residential colleges. Preferred qualifications include a doctoral degree and demonstrated accomplishments in developing or contributing to creating a residential college system, collaborative living, learning communities, diversity and inclusion efforts, and student staff development. The successful candidate will also benefit from experience working with faculty in developing and implementing cocurricular or residential programs.

Review of applications will begin on April 21, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Laura Puckett-Boler at [email protected]. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [email protected].

New York is a state that does not require public salary disclosure. For salary information, please contact Laura Puckett-Boler.

Visit the Colgate University website at www.colgate.edu

Follow this link for more information on the Residential Commons

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.