Call for Applicants

Assistant Dean for Interfaith Leadership

Dean of Students Office

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College.

About Student Affairs

Student Affairs’ Aspirations for Student Learning serve as a framework for our roles as educators as we work alongside students to encapsulate their learning into a strengths-based discovery of their talent so they may: commit to unwavering curiosity; pursue self-understanding and integrity; practice civility; prepare for a life of courageous leadership; and ultimately, embrace Ut Prosim as a way of life. We operationalize these aspirations through ExperienceVT whereby we work alongside undergraduate, graduate and professional students to create a customized plan for their experience designed to accomplish their individual goals. We measure our success by the success of our students. To that end, we will do whatever it takes to support the individual well-being and success of every student at Virginia Tech. 

Moreover, we pay significant attention to those within the Virginia Tech student experience that feel marginalized and isolated. Student success hinges upon each person being able to bring their whole selves into our community. Identifying commonly held beliefs and perspectives that can be agreed upon despite differences is an end that we continually seek.

The Opportunity

The Dean of Students Office (DOS) is committed to offering care and support to students to assist them in flourishing personally, academically, and socially. Guided by a strategic framework that engages, educates, equips, and empowers students, the Dean’s team stands ready to support all students and community members at Virginia Tech. The Dean’s team is comprised of passionate and student-centered professionals, who work closely with the seven undergraduate colleges and administrative offices throughout Virginia Tech.

The Dean’s team employs a focused pursuit of care to assist students through a relationship-rich approach. Members of the Dean’s team embrace a strengths-oriented paradigm, and believe that they can shape, respond to, and advocate for a dynamic,

inclusive, and learning-centered Virginia Tech experience. The primary functions of the Dean of Students Office are: Advocacy; Academic Engagement; Student Engagement; Interfaith Leadership; First-Generation Student Success; and Off-Campus Life.

The Assistant Dean for Interfaith Leadership will work alongside the Dean’s team to offer programmatic development for interfaith experiences – a strategic priority of Student Affairs and critical part of how we advance inclusion and diversity. Interfaith development rests upon the belief that people of different faiths and worldviews can seek common ground through compassionate learning and listening. The friendships which evolve from dialogues and partnerships across faiths creates the ideal holding environment for students to make meaning of their world in relationship with others.

Primary Responsibilities

The Assistant Dean for Interfaith Leadership will:

• Facilitate interfaith dialogue and develop/deliver appropriate interfaith educational programming, in addition to weekly programming promoting spiritual wellness in inclusive and varied formats (social media and in-person programming).
• Supervise and evaluate the work of the Graduate Assistant for the Dean of Students Office.
• Develop and implement programs of intellectual, social, ethical, aesthetic, and spiritual and religious interest to encourage student development and increase learning.
• In collaboration with religious groups and affiliates, promotes religious/spiritual identity, diversity, and expression through celebratory programs and events.
• Provide leadership to the Aurora living-learning program as program director, which will begin its inaugural season during the 2021-22 academic year.
• Directly advise the student-run Synergy: Interfaith Collective, which exists to create safe, structured environments for continuous interfaith dialogue and experiences of faith and non-faith to increase understanding across different faiths and worldviews.
• Facilitate the Common Ground interfaith leadership development experience.
• Foster relationships with faith communities at Virginia Tech and their professional leadership to create opportunities for interfaith engagement on campus.
• Regularly convene the Interfaith Advisory Council and Aurora Steering Committee.
• Identify and implement opportunities for faculty/staff interfaith professional development.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs Advancement in its stewardship efforts to support the growth of interfaith development and engagement.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing Specialist to implement communications strategy for interfaith programs.
• Identify grants and other opportunities that can assist in scaling efforts to support interfaith engagement throughout Virginia Tech’s campuses.
• Assess the impact of programs and services – using data to inform practices.
• Oversee and responsibly manage programming budget.
• Serve on division and university-wide committees as needed.

Desired Qualifications

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experiences and capacities:

• A passion for building bridges through interfaith leadership.
• Commitment to inclusive and diverse practices that recognize intersectionality and multiple identities.
• Advising and/or advocacy for students in a higher education environment.
• Facilitation of leadership programming for students in a higher education environment.
• Managing confidential and sensitive information with high levels of discretion.
• Enthusiasm for a team-oriented philosophy when advancing strategic goals of an organization.
• High degree of curiosity and generosity when seeking and developing relationships.
• Comfortable with change and energized by creating innovative resources/programs for students.
• Collaborative spirit when working with students, faculty, staff, families, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, student affairs, higher education or field related to the responsibilities of the position.
• 5- 7 years of professional related experience.

Our Search Process

A review of interested candidates will begin June 1, 2021 and continue until a successful candidate is identified. For a full description of the position and requirements, and to apply, please visit www.jobs.vt.edu. Attach a résumé, cover letter, and list of three professional references to the online application. Virginia Tech responds to the needs of dual career couples and has a variety of policies in place to provide flexibility for faculty careers.

Virginia Tech has a strong commitment to the principle of diversity and in that spirit seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify the search chair by the deadline.

Search communications should be directed to Byron Hughes, Dean of Students, at bahughes@vt.edu or 540-231-6272.