Job Summary
The Associate Director of Black/African Student Engagement is responsible for assisting students who identify as Black or with the African/African American culture as they transition to and enroll at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver). As part of the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), the Associate Director plays a key role in fostering a sense of belonging, providing comprehensive support and encouragement, and guiding students to utilize academic, cultural, and personal resources to achieve success. This is accomplished through initiatives focused on student engagement, academic success, cultural pride, empowerment, volunteerism, and leadership development. The role will follow the four tenants used to build this new identity program, which are: Student Engagement and Programming, Support and Resources, Academic Collaboration, and External Partnership
This role is a front line, student-facing position that promotes a supportive, affirming, and inclusive environment, concentrating on awareness and understanding, and strengthening the co-curricular, personal, and cultural experiences of students. The position is responsible for creating and delivering a range of support services, including workshops, leadership development, peer and professional mentoring, and cultural awareness and social programs, all designed to contribute to student success, retention, and persistence to graduation.
Key Responsibilities
Program and Initiative Development 40%
Host a variety of social programming designed to create community and cultivate a sense of belonging for Black and African-identifying students. These programs include, but are not limited to welcome socials, monthly community-building activities.
Lead all Black History Heritage month program design, roll-out, and collaboration, along with other culturally-focused programs as determined throughout the course of the year creating a sense of belonging.
Responsible for hosting biannual graduate recognition programming for fall and spring graduates through the annual Spring Black/African Graduation Celebration, as well as a smaller fall program.
Participate with CMEI leadership in the development, planning and evaluation of the department’s new Critical Discussion Series, a social justice-based topical event series featuring the “Critical Discussion on Race” fall program, as well as coordinating with other CMEI and university staff for integration of other programming into the series.
Develop transitional programming and leverage existing campus positions and initiatives in support of transfer and incoming first year students including, but not limited to, orientation programming, mentorship programs, and other functions held during signature events such as Rowdy Rally and Ready, Set, ROWDY! Welcome month.
Host periodic meet and greets with students, as well as support meetings for students needing advocacy and resource support
In partnership with relevant units (Care Center, Academic Advising, etc..) develop an early alert system that uses data to identify students who may be at risk of attrition proactively to provide direct support-related services and programmatic functions from across the institution.
Department Leadership 25%
Serve as a key member of the CMEI leadership team, contributing to the creation, development and implementation of the BSSI's/BASE’s vision and mission, ensuring alignment with CMEI and the University's overall goals.
Supervise, support, develop, and evaluate 1 full-time staff member, while overseeing a shared team of student staff, interns, and graduate students.
Convene campus and external partners to collaboratively design, deliver, and review comprehensive services that support Black student success, ensuring a holistic approach by leveraging expertise from various departments, division and community organizations to create integrated and robust programs tailored to meet the needs of Black-identifying students.
Lead with a lens that centers on Black, African-American, and multiracial students, advocating for equity, inclusion, and social justice on campus.
Lead the build out of mentoring and leadership development opportunities for Black/African-identifying students, including collaborations with student organizations and campus partners such as our Black Student Association, African Student Association, and others.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director to manage the Brother-to-Brother program and assist in the leadership and program development of this initiative, collaborating with the professional and student staff.
Student Advocacy and Retention/Persistence Support 20%
Act as a key advocate for Black/African American students, addressing their concerns both inside and outside of the classroom and liaising with faculty and staff in support of student concerns.
Establish a network of faculty members across various departments who can serve as key connections for black-identifying students, fostering mentorship, academic support, and facilitating intentional conversations to promote student engagement and success
Regularly collaborate with the MSU Denver Campus to Career Hub for identifying speakers, internships and opportunities to introduce and develop entrepreneurial experiences to our Black/African American identifying students
Utilize student success and advising platforms (e.g.: Navigate360) to proactively track academic progress, identify students at risk of not being retained, as well as “off-path” to graduation, and implement timely interventions. Schedule meetings with students to provide advisement and support that strengthens their academic persistence.
Actively participate in advising system discussions to advocate for the inclusion of culturally responsive advising practices to enhance the overall support structure for Black-identifying students
Campus and Community Engagement 10%
Partner with external community leaders, organizations, and alumni to create support networks, programming and mentorship for Black/African-Identifying students.
Partner with our Enrollment Management team, as well as various academic and concurrent enrollment programs to assist in raising awareness with local schools and community organizations about the BSSI/BASE initiatives and support at MSU Denver.
Collaborate with departments, academic programs and colleges/schools on campus (e.g.: Africana Studies Program, Academic Advising, etc.) to provide, but not limited to, key points of engagement, support, and major/minor selection for students, as well as fostering an understanding of the unique challenges and needs of this population.
Partner with university advancement to identify and secure funding through grants and partnerships to support the BSSI/BASE's initiatives.
Administrative Responsibilities 5%
Responsible for regularly scheduled communications such as newsletters, marketing, and outreach to the Black and African Student community.
Develop and manage the BSSI/BASE budget, in coordination with the Executive Director of Student Life and Belonging. Ensure proper allocation of resources to support programming and operations.
Conduct ongoing assessment of BSSI/BASE initiatives to measure impact and effectiveness. Regularly analyze data to measure retention and graduation outcomes enduring a strategic, data driven approach to improving Black-identifying student success.
Provide staff and event support for broader departments events and functions as needed.
Other department and branch duties as needed.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree
Minimum of three years (3) experience creating, coordinating, or leading student engagement, involvement, or community‑building initiatives in a higher education or similar student‑centered setting.
Experience in program and event creation, management and implementation
Previous experience supervising professional staff and student teams
Experience developing and delivering programs, services, or student‑support initiatives for Black/African American communities, including culturally responsive advising, mentorship, advocacy, or community‑building.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree
Demonstrated experience advancing student success initiatives for historically underrepresented populations, particularly Black/African first-generation college students.
Experience developing partnerships across campus and external community organizations to support student engagement and success.
Experience designing and facilitating social justice education, leadership development, or culturally responsive programming.
Experience collaborating with alumni networks, community partners, or advancement teams to support student initiatives or program funding.
Demonstrated experience facilitating and leading cross-functional working groups to collaboratively develop and implement strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment and fostering trust among departments and stakeholders.
Work Hours
Full-time, 40 hours per week, Exempt
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Evenings and weekend work: As needed
Completely onsite with opportunity for Hybrid work
Travel: None
Salary for Announcement
We anticipate the qualified candidate to be placed between $67,000-$76,000 The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Full Consideration Date
Complete applications received by March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST will receive full consideration, however applications will be accepted after this date until the position is filled.
Instructions to Apply
For full consideration, please submit the following documents:
Resume
Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.
If you are an Internal applicant, please apply via the Career tab within the WorkDay Menu
Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.
Open Until Filled
The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.
For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.
Background Checks
Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.
We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.