Diversity officer search continues

When one search ends, another one begins.

Following the appointment of the first joint president of CSB+SJU, the institutions are now looking to fill a new position: Senior Diversity Officer. The search, which initially began last spring, was reinvigorated with the introduction of Academic Search, a tool designed for colleges and universities to aid in the search and selection process for professional, quality candidates.

As stated in the search profile put forth by CSB+SJU, the Senior Diversity Officer “will serve as a member of the leadership team and lead institution-wide efforts to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus community.” This role is rooted primarily on the administrative level, with the Student Diversity Office working together with upper-level leadership to create systemic change. This position will also serve as an advisor to President Brian Bruess to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are reflected in campus policies and practices.

This position is the next step for CSB+SJU as focus on the celebration and promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice increases, especially coming from students. The Multicultural Center is an example of student led efforts to increase a sense of welcome for students from diverse backgrounds and to encourage others to learn and share in varying cultural practices. The SDO will help elevate cultural practices. The SDO will help elevate these efforts to the highest levels of campus leadership.

The search committee, chaired by Associate Provost for Student Success Mary Geller, will conduct an application review this week and choose semifinalists. The committee will hold Zoom interviews with the candidates next week. Finalists will visit the campus in October, and Bruess will select the final candidate in November.

The Senior Diversity Office is set to assume position in January 2023. While the committee cannot divulge details about the applicants, the search profile lists more than a dozen bullet points detailing the required and preferred qualifications for the position.

These range from leadership experience with diverse populations, program building skills, theory and best practices for addressing and incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and ability to involve Catholic and Benedictine values into these practices. Beyond this, the committee is invested in selecting the best possible candidate.

“This person is not just a checkmark,” Geller said. “They embed diversity into our work.”

Still, there are challenges trying to fill this role, especially in central Minnesota, where the population is not diverse. Additionally, this is a highly competitive position to fill, with many universities looking to fill similar roles. Geller emphasized that regardless of which applicant is chosen, they will be the most qualified candidate and are an individual committed to impactful change.

The specifics of the job and how diversity, equity, inclusion and justice will be implemented at this highest level is yet to be determined. The SDO will decide how and what changes they will bring to CSB+SJU based on their prior experiences and the atmosphere of campus.

Many students have not heard about the search for a Senior Diversity Officer. Upon hearing a bit about the position, however, some students were optimistic about the introduction of the position. CSB senior Kate Estrada expressed hope that the SDO can have an impact in classrooms in a way that students cannot. She recalled hearing from other students about situations where professors overstepped their boundaries in ways that made them uncomfortable in the classroom.

As a member of leadership, the SDO might be able to instigate change from an inside-out, top-down approach that will resonate with faculty and institutional practices which feel harmful to some. Some students still hold some reservations.

“I hope this truly makes a difference and does not remain at the executive level.” Estrada said.