UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC) will promote holistic student success through an intentional approach to access and belonging. The Director, Student Services Program Manager 3, will work in deeply collaborative ways to: (1) create and develop opportunities for the Latina/e/o community at UConn; (2) develop and administer inclusive cultural and social support resources for Latina/e/o undergraduate and graduate students; (3) support and advocate for UConn students from Latina/e/o communities; (4) prioritize collaborations across the UConn community that support the success of Latina/e/o students; (5) ensure that services related to advising, academic support, and well-being support are available through PRLACC; and (6) support the growth and development of PRLACC, including by expanding the center’s presence across the University.

About the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC)

For over 50 years at UConn, PRLACC has been a vibrant cultural center open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in promoting awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Latina/e/o issues and the rich diversity of Latina/e/o individuals and Latin American cultures. Whether using the physical space to learn, study, relax, or visit with friends; immersing oneself in an aspect of Latina/e/o culture at one of our events; or taking advantage of resources like our mentoring programs and student organizations, people find they can be themselves at PRLACC, just as they would at home.

PRLACC’s mission is to improve the status of Latina/e/o students and to promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Latina/e/o individuals and Latin American cultures. PRLACC works independently and collaboratively with other University departments and community organizations to sponsor educational and cultural programs, provide services and leadership opportunities, foster connections, and educate the greater University community about Latina/e/o issues. Our services and programs seek to enhance and support students, faculty, and staff recruitment and retention, as well as enrich the multicultural climate of our community.

Scope of Position

The Director of the PRLACC will

• Set vision, provide leadership, content expertise, and oversight for the Center’s services, programs, and administrative functions to support its mission of enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at the university through education, advocacy, and support services.
• Be knowledgeable of the unique challenges Latina/e/o communities may experience and contribute to creating culturally responsive engagement and outreach initiatives that foster resilience, well-being, belonging, and achievement for Latina/e/o students, faculty and staff, parents/families, and alumni.
• Provide leadership, direction, and overall administration for the development, coordination, and implementation of cultural programming, student leadership programming, and Latina/e/o student leadership development.
• Lead departmental strategic planning for the PRLACC and University-wide initiatives related to Latina/e/o student success.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to help grow and develop the PRLACC at UConn.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific Responsibilities

• Directs the day-to-day operation and administration of the Center in accordance with program goals and objectives.
• Recruit, train, develop, and supervise professional staff, graduate assistants, and student staff and leaders.
• Provide institutional advocacy through consultation and capacity building with key stakeholders to address barriers to access and to transform climate to support the success of Latina/e/o students, staff, and faculty.
• Lead, develop, and facilitate workshops, guest lectures, presentations, and programs related to identity, intersectionality, and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.
• Facilitate training and course instruction for the PRLACC peer mentoring program in collaboration with UConn’s Institute of Latina/e/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies (El Instituto).
• Provide crisis intervention, support, advocacy, information, and referrals for students, staff, and faculty on a wide range of issues impacting student success.
• Oversee multiple accounts including institutional, grant, and Foundation accounts.
• Collaborate with departments and various stakeholders to work on creating more welcoming and engaged institutional environments.
• Implement cross-center collaboration in support of student success, particularly as it relates to issues specific to individuals who hold a marginalized identity.
• Serve as the Chief spokesperson for the Center, liaison between the Center and University administration, and represent the University on internal and external committees.
• Implement and/or manage fundraising and alumni engagement efforts and coordinate grant activities.
• Implement and report on assessment activities and annual statistics and performance measures.
• Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in Higher Education, Social Justice, Ethnic Studies, Organizational Leadership/Development, or related field of study.
2. Six years of experience working on programs and or initiatives designed to support the success of Latina/e/o students.
3. Experience in budget creation and fiscal management.
4. Knowledge of the issues impacting Latina/e/o communities, locally, nationally, and on a predominantly white college campus.
5. Supervisory experience.
6. Knowledge and demonstrated practice of engaging diverse populations to promote access, student success, and belonging in higher education.
7. Documented history of successfully developing, implementing, and advancing strategic initiatives in higher education to promote holistic student success and belonging.
8. Experience overseeing training and education programs for a variety of constituencies.
9. A broad understanding of student support programs and services for Latina/e/o students, faculty, and staff.
10. Previous success establishing widescale collaborations in university settings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Prior experience working with Latina/e/o cultural centers.
2. Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Leadership, Counseling, Sociology, Latina/e/o American Studies, or another related field.
3. Understanding of the associated challenges and opportunities for innovation in programming related to enhancing campus climate and increasing students’ sense of belonging.
4. Experience in grant writing and/or management.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Salary range of $90,485 to $112,000, commensurate with the successful candidate's background and experience.  This is a full-time position. The University offers outstanding benefits including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. This position will be in person at the UConn Storrs campus. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA). 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498901 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will be open until filled, with preference given to applications received by 11:55 PM on March 19, 2025. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.