Job description

Whitman College invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Inclusive Excellence (VPIE).

Whitman College provides a rigorous liberal arts education of the highest quality to passionate and engaged students from diverse backgrounds. Whitman students develop their intellectual and creative capacities in a supportive scholarly community that prioritizes student learning within and beyond the classroom. The College helps each student translate their deep local, regional, and global experiences into ethical and meaningful lives of purpose. Situated within the rich and complex landscape and history of the Walla Walla Valley, Whitman’s town of Walla Walla, Washington, boasts an award-winning downtown with boutique shops and gourmet restaurants, world-class outdoor experiences, and a mild climate with ample sunshine. Its close-knit, caring, multicultural community provides an excellent environment in which to live and learn.

Whitman is deeply committed to inclusive excellence. The board of trustees approved a shared statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values in 2018, and the President has consistently reiterated the College’s commitment to this work. All cabinet members advance inclusive excellence within their areas, and the cabinet has undertaken collective work on learning and capacity building. The board of trustees opens every board meeting with a discussion of a key topic in inclusive excellence, led by the VPIE in collaboration with other cabinet members and external experts. The Division of Inclusive Excellence coordinates, cultivates, and contributes to institutional efforts to advance inclusive excellence and is guided by principles of cultural pluralism, cultural humility, and cultural wealth. The Division’s work enhances Whitman’s collective awareness and capacity around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism.

Reporting directly to President Sarah Bolton and serving as a member of her cabinet, the VPIE will oversee the Division of Inclusive Excellence and partner frequently with the Inclusive Excellence Council. The VPIE will take on many priorities, including the opportunity to prioritize, communicate, and focus work while responding to evolving expectations with care; deepen learning across campus to create a welcoming climate for all; advance work in equity and compliance; unify and institutionalize IE efforts across campus; and lead through complexity and sociopolitical tension.

Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree (with a graduate degree preferred), ten or more years in the IE space, demonstrated leadership success, experience supporting a diverse array of communities, knowledge in the equity-centered compliance space, comfort utilizing evidence-based approaches, and strong facilitation skills. Candidates will also be approachable, communicative, collaborative leaders who demonstrate an openness to feedback and a management style that embraces delegation and mentoring. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of and commitment to advancing IE in a small, residential college environment via a team mentality and visible engagement across a campus. They will also be able to operate at both the strategic and community levels, inspire progress and vision, and demonstrate strong ?scal and budget management skills, with an eye toward resource stewardship and equity.

The full position specification can be found here: https://dsgco.com/search/22298-whitman-college-vp-inclusive-excellence

How to apply

DSG Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which Carly Rose DiGiovanni, TaJuan Wilson, and Anne Koellhoffer are leading. Application materials (including a CV and cover letter) should be submitted using DSG Storbeck’s Talent Profile, and all inquiries are strictly confidential. If you wish to nominate a prospective candidate or have questions regarding this role, please reach out to us at [email protected]

Carly Rose DiGiovanni EdD, Managing Director
TaJuan Wilson, EdD, Managing Director
Anne Koellhoffer, Managing Associate

Whitman College is building a diverse academic community of highly qualified students, faculty, and staff. Diversity is fundamentally important to the character and mission of Whitman College. Diversity enriches our community and enhances intellectual and personal growth. The College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws.