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Position Title:

Director for the Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement

Job Category:

Limited

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Student Affairs Director (C)

Job Duties:

The Director of the Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement (CDCE) at UWL provides strategic leadership in advancing campus-wide initiatives that foster belonging, inclusive excellence, civil dialogue, and principles related to civil rights. With a focus on creating opportunities for engagement, the Director plays a central role in conducting campus climate research, supporting bias education, and coordinating efforts to enhance our understanding of ourselves, our world, and our place in it. This includes overseeing programs that promote self-awareness, empathy, and respect for all identities and empowers students, faculty, and staff to navigate complex social dynamics. In this role, the Director will manage the daily operations of the CDCE, supervise and develop the Program Manager of CDCE, and student staff, and oversee the budget, ensuring the effective execution of programs. The Director will also collaborate with key campus partners to promote free expression and inclusion, advocating for policies that foster a supportive environment for all members of the campus community. Through data-driven strategies, the Director will work to create a culture that supports student success and prepares individuals to thrive in diverse workplaces, communities, and relationships, as aligned with division and university mission and values.

• Sedentary position, sitting and standing occasionally.
• May be required to lift to 15-20 lbs on occasion.

The review of applications starts on June 2, 2026. Applications received on or before June 2nd are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Promotion of Civil Dialogue

• Provide opportunities for teaching, learning, and practicing positive intellectual inquiry, academic freedom, freedom of expression, and fostering belonging for all individuals.

• Foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

• Integrate civil discourse into orientations, workshops, and classroom settings to promote democracy and strengthen a resilient campus community.

• Lead programming and initiatives that ensures compliance with Regent Board Policy 4-21

• Work with key stakeholders to address harm and support impacted communities by serving on the Joint Campus Climate and Belonging Committee

• Participate as a UW-La Crosse staff liaison in the Universities of Wisconsin's Office of Civic Engagement

Oversight of Office

• Analyze operations and recommend improvements to optimize efficiency.

• Oversee the budget, including preparing and submitting requests to the Academic Initiatives Differential Allocation Committee; and ensuring compliance with external sources of funding.

• Conduct End of Year reports and present findings to campus partners.

• Other duties as assigned, reflective of unit and divisional mission and values.

Development of Campus Climate Initiatives

• Collaborate with campus leadership, Institutional Research, Assessment, and Planning (

  IRAP

  ), and other campus partners to develop and implement campus climate research.

• Coordinate analysis of research and assessment efforts. Propose data-driven action steps to the Chancellor’s cabinet and campus stakeholders to foster a welcoming environment that embraces individuals from all backgrounds and experiences.

• Work with key stakeholders to address harm and support impacted communities by serving on the Joint Campus Climate and Belonging Committee

• Serve as co-lead on the Bias Support and Education Team (BSET) to advance anti-bias programming.

• Analyze and disseminate findings to appropriate stakeholders. Review data for trends and collaborate to improve campus climate.

Staff Supervision

• Supervise and support

  CDCE

  staff to empower and provide updates.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive CDCE staff handbook.

• Promote professional development opportunities for staff.

• Convene regular staff meetings and training to foster communication and team cohesion.

Coordination and Facilitation of Training and Development

• Develop, facilitate, and assess educational training programs focused on campus access and belonging across classrooms, residence halls, and departments, promoting. awareness, embracing differences, and fostering essential skills for inclusive excellence and building a global workforce.

• Organize annual training related to civil discourse protocols aimed at faculty and staff.

• Curate and implement learning opportunities on various topics related to civil dialogue and free expression to build a common understanding and foster a resilient campus community.

• Research best practices for institutional and educational programs to make recommendations to administration.

• Collaborate with other UWL divisions and departments on curricula, pedagogy, training, and development as needed.

Connection with Campus Partners

• Foster collaboration and communication with campus committees, councils, and other partners, including but not limited to the Student Life Office and the Residence Life Office.

• Build relationships with the external campus community that foster institutional accessibility.

• Represent the

  CDCE

  at various meetings and advocate for initiatives and recommendations that align with the division’s mission, vision, and values.

Department:

Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement

Compensation:

$68,000 / Year

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 3+ years’ experience of demonstrated ability to work with students from varying backgrounds with an understanding of barriers to student success.
• Ability to educate on topics related to civil dialogue and free speech.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Experience in curriculum development, instructional design, training, assessment, and research.
• Understanding of belonging and access issues that affect students of promise.
• Familiarity with university practices, policies, and issues related to campus climate and building an environment of belonging.
• Experience conducting program assessment or program evaluation of student learning outcomes for improvement.
• Experience developing educational content, including digital and multimedia presentation.
• Excellent verbal, and written communication.
• Demonstrated proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working with and supervising full-time employees.
• Experience working/collaborating with faculty.
• Record of experience effectively utilizing cultural intelligence in the workplace.
• Data-driven with attention to detail.

How to Apply:

Required application documents

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications)

Resume

Contact Information:

Nevin Heard nheard@uwlax.edu

Special Notes:

Application deadlines
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university.
Highlights include:

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.

• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.

• Paid holidays and paid sick days.

• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.

• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.