What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Multicultural Affairs position at St. John Fisher University?
Position Title
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Overview
St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.
The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.
The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.
Job Responsibilities
Position Summary
The Director of Multicultural Affairs supports the success and well-being of students with varied educational, socioeconomic and lived experiences, serving as an advocate, mentor and resource. This role engages and educates the student body through learning experiences and educational programs focused on belonging, self-understanding, inclusion, and advocacy. Through student support, intentional programming, and campus partnerships, the director fosters a welcoming community contributing to our students’ personal, academic, and leadership development.
The Director of Multicultural Affairs supports the success and well-being of students with varied educational, socioeconomic and lived experiences, serving as an advocate, mentor and resource. This role engages and educates the student body through learning experiences and educational programs focused on belonging, self-understanding, inclusion, and advocacy. Through student support, intentional programming, and campus partnerships, the director fosters a welcoming community contributing to our students’ personal, academic, and leadership development.
The director provides strategic leadership for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, overseeing its vision and operations to ensure a breadth of perspectives and meaningful outcomes. The director partners across the institution with students and colleagues to deepen a shared sense of connection and belonging preparing students to positively contribute in today’s complex, global world.
The director reports to the assistant dean of students and Title IX coordinator and collaborates closely with Student Affairs and campus partners to advance institutional priorities related to student success and community engagement.
Responsibilities
Student Support and Engagement
Responsibilities
Student Support and Engagement
- Serve as a trusted resource, mentor, and advocate for students seeking connection, guidance and access to campus resources
- Develop supportive relationships with students and student leaders to promote engagement, belonging and success
- Maintain a visible and accessible presence for students interested in exploring identity, culture, and belonging
- Collaborate with the Offices of Student Conduct and Safety & Security to enhance education related to preventing and responding to bias related incidents, in compliance with NYS 129A law
- Facilitate resolutions under the University Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
- Provide appropriate referrals for academic, personal, and professional support
Education
- Develop and implement student workshops and trainings focused on inclusion, belonging, and related topics
- Assess program effectiveness, alignment with Fisher Outcomes, and incorporation of the Fisher Creed utilizing data and student feedback to guide continuous improvement
- Collaborate with faculty and staff colleagues to offer educational opportunities for employees
- Participate in ongoing professional development to remain current with emerging practices and issues
Leadership
- Provide strategic direction for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, including vision, program development, and operations
- Foster multicultural awareness and cross-cultural interaction among students
- Collaborate with, and provide guidance to the division related to student success and belonging
- Engage with the restorative practices model at the University and assist in mediating conflicts or student incidents that pertain to students’ sense of belonging
- Support Strategic Plan initiatives, particularly the priorities of Student Success and Community Engagement
Additional
- Review student life policies and make recommendations to ensure student success, belonging and inclusion on campus·
- Support Student Affairs Division events such as Move-in, Orientation, Welcome Week, Family Weekend, Commencement, etc.
- Represents the Office of Multicultural Affairs at recruitment events on campus as needed · Complete other duties as assigned
Education / Experience
Minimum Requirements:
- Master’s degree in student affairs, counseling, higher education administration, or other discipline, or a terminal degree in a relevant field required
- Three to five years of progressive relevant experience in a collegiate setting in multicultural affairs, student life, or related fields
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with persons from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and belonging
- Experience in advising and programming
- Experience with budget management
Competencies / Skills
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and initiatives independently
- Established pattern of high attention to detail
- Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Multicultural competence and the ability to work effectively with all students
- Effective human relations skills and a thorough understanding of student development
- Strong desire to build relationships with students, colleagues, and college partners
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to engage one-on-one and in public forums
- Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
- Demonstrated history of working with integrity and sound judgment, as well as the ability to make difficult decisions
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Primarily sedentary work, requiring extended periods of sitting while working at a computer, preparing materials, and engaging in meetings.
- Regular verbal communication with students, staff, faculty, and campus partners in one-on-one and group settings.
- Ability to stand and move for extended periods during workshops, trainings, campus events, and student programs.
- Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials (e.g., program supplies, educational resources, or event materials) weighing up to approximately 15–25 pounds.
- Ability to navigate campus facilities to attend meetings, events, and student activities, including evenings or weekends as required.
Supervision of Employees
Program Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs
Work Environment
Well-lighted, well-ventilated and pleasant work area.
Equipment to be Used
General office environment and equipment
Job Type
Full-time
Work Hours
12 months and 35 hours per week
Special Conditions for Eligibility
Minimum Number of References Requested
3
EEO Statement
It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.
The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone (585-385-8232), email (titleix@sjfc.edu<>titleix@sjfc.edu>), in-person in Campus Center 209, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security (585-385-8111).
The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone (585-385-8232), email (titleix@sjfc.edu<>titleix@sjfc.edu>), in-person in Campus Center 209, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security (585-385-8111).
Work Location
3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
FLSA
Exempt
Salary / Hourly Range
$65,000.00 - $76,500.00 per year
Notes
The salary range for this role is set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, qualifications, experience, and education. The above hiring range is one component of the University’s competitive Total Rewards package which can be viewed here
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S00808P
Desired Start Date
08/17/2026
Open Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Salary : $65,000 - $76,500