Administrative & Support Staff Opportunities

Whittier College is an independent, four-year liberal arts college distinguished by its small size (1600 undergraduates) and a nationally-recognized liberal arts program.

Whittier College has a history of strong and innovative interdisciplinary programs and a diverse student body. The College is ideally situated in the scenic hills eighteen miles east of downtown Los Angeles and is an AA/EOE employer.

Campus Safety Dispatcher
Campus Safety Officer
Campus Safety On-Call Officer
College Supervisor
COMPASS Program Coordinator
Director of Admission
Director of Development (Academic Success)
General Counsel
Student Data Specialist
Theatre Lighting/Production Tech On-Call Pool
Title IX Coordinator
Veteran Services Coordinator
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Pool of Eligible Temporary Staff (P.O.E.T.S)

Campus Safety Dispatcher

The position of Dispatcher is responsible for answering incoming calls to the College Campus as well as the Department of Campus Safety. Dispatchers provide information to faculty, staff, and students on the telephone or when visiting the Department of Campus Safety. Dispatchers also monitor, and dispatch radio traffic to officers, student officers, facilities, and other departments on the College campus.

Dispatches enter data into the department's CAD system for both radio traffic and incident management. Additionally, dispatchers coordinate with outside agencies utilizing both radios and phone

This position is considered a mandatory reporter / Campus Security Authority

Salary Range: $14.00 - $15.00 per hour.

Position Responsibilities

Provides dispatching services to Campus Safety Department. Answers calls for assistance, contacts officers in the field. Determines appropriate response in accordance with established procedures and assessment of the situation.
Utilizes CAD system for report management
May contact back-up or follow-up services for assistance such as Whittier Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department or other agencies.
Maintains department logs using PC. Log must be accurate and maintained on a timely basis.
Answer telephone for campus and overflow calls from the automated attendant. Transfer calls as requested.
Monitors and dispatchers officers to Emergency Blue Light System (EBLS)
Utilizing CAD systems enter parking tickets, citation history, and vehicle registration into a computer using data entry skills.
Perform clerical functions such as filing paperwork, light typing.
Train and supervise student employees to serve as student dispatcher.
Other related duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Functions of the Job

Assist officers during emergency situations and special events (e.g. commencement.)
Take incident report in the office as directed by the shift supervisor
Card Access Issuance (CAI)
Completes monthly duties and audit reports as directed by Command Staff

Requirements

Minimum 6 months experience working in a busy office with multiple/concurrent duties. Prior security experience preferred. Dispatcher training will be provided during the first year of employment. Good typing skills, general computer knowledge, and experience with database programs.

Knowledge and Education

High school graduate or equivalent required. Some college preferred.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices, and Software

Knowledge of personal computers, spreadsheet programs, word processing programs (Microsoft Office.) Able to use telephone, copy machine, fax machine, and other typical office equipment. Ability to type a minimum of 30 WPM.

License(s) and Certificate(s)

Any certificates for related experience/training a plus.

Physical Activity/Effort

Sitting for prolonged periods of time.

To Apply

The position is based in Whittier, California. To be considered for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume to: whittierjobs@whittier.edu or mail to Whittier College, Attn: Human Resources Manager, 13406 E Philadelphia Street Whittier, CA 90608. AA/AOE.

Whittier College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, religion creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, or sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal Law

Campus Safety Officer

Whittier College is seeking a qualified Campus Safety Officer. The successful candidate must be able to interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff. Under the general guidance of the Director of Campus Safety, the candidate will perform a variety of duties to ensure the safety of the College Community and campus facilities.

Hours: 40 hours per week, schedule varies
Exempt/Non-Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Status: Full Time
Salary Range: $15.00 - $17.50 per hour.

Reports To: Campus Safety Captain
Location/Department: Whittier College (main campus- Whittier, CA)/Campus Safety Department

This position is considered a Campus Security Authority.

Position Responsibilities

Patrols campus property, in a vehicle or on foot, to provide security and traffic control
Performs physical security checks of campus facilities, ensuring facilities are in use by appropriate personnel
Responds to emergency and non-emergency radio calls
Must be available and ready at any point during shift to respond to community needs
Observes, reports, and identifies persons involved in suspicious activities or manner and ensures that unauthorized persons leave the campus and community
Enforces campus policies, regulations, and municipal, state and federal laws.
Assist local law enforcement as necessary
Conducts thorough investigations as assigned and completes detailed reports as to those investigations
Participates in crime prevention programs
Assist Student Life and Residential Life personnel as required
Provides on-campus escorts to College students and personnel as requested
Performs other duties as deemed necessary under the guidance of the Director, via chain of command

Requirements

High School diploma
Required certification; PC 832, Guard card, CPR, First Aid, and AED must be in possession at time of hire. Tear gas and collapsible baton certification required within first month of employment
Must have no criminal record
Must possess a current CA driver license
Experience working campus safety/security/law enforcement in a College or University environment

To Apply

The position is based in Whittier, California. To be considered for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume to: whittierjobs@whittier.edu or mail to Whittier College, Attn: Associate Director of Human Resources, 13406 E Philadelphia Street Whittier, CA 90608. AA/AOE.

Campus Safety On-Call Officer

Whittier College is seeking a qualified Campus Safety On-Call Officer. The successful candidate monitors and provides protection and security for the buildings and premises for students, faculty, staff, and visitors during the assigned shift. On-call employees utilized mostly to cover other staff members when needed and have shifting hours. May be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays.

Salary Range: $15.00 - $16.00 per hour.

Position Responsibilities

Respond to emergency situations such as accidents, injuries, crimes in progress and safety hazards. Provides assistance, summons proper authorities and polices to maintain order, safety and to protect life and property. Ensure proper and appropriate safety methods and procedures are followed. Prepare report(s) as required.
Inspect buildings and grounds to watch for and guard against fire, theft, illegal entry, infraction of safety regulations and other irregularities.
Admit authorized persons, check to see that company articles are not removed from property without proper approval.
Make periodic tours through buildings and grounds, examine doors, windows, and gates to ensure they are properly secured.
Cooperate with local law enforcement agencies on investigations or irregularities connected with campus security.
Provide information and directions to campus visitors.
Represent the College as appropriate in community relationships, and with government agencies, professional associations, and similar groups.
Other related duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Functions of the Job

Act as dispatcher; answer phones, field calls, and dispatch fellow officers.

Requirements

High School diploma
Required certification; PC 832, Guard card, CPR, First Aid, and AED must be in possession at time of hire. Tear gas and collapsible baton certification required within first month of employment
Must have no criminal record
Must possess a current CA driver license
Experience working campus safety/security/law enforcement in a College or University environment

To Apply

College Supervisor

The Department of Education at Whittier College seeks a College Supervisor.

Hours: Varies-Monday-Friday
Exempt Status: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Part Time
Salary Range: $1,000 for semester

Reports To: Director of Student Teaching
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Department of Education

Responsibilities

A College Supervisor ensures, through weekly observations and follow-up conferencing, that our teacher candidates

Progresses through fourteen-week student teaching assignment; during which time the candidate takes on more teaching responsibility.
Writes appropriate lesson plans using the department template. Incorporated into each lesson plan template includes, but is not limited to: attending to (1) students’ prior academic knowledge, prior experiences, as well as assets and needs; (2) learning activities, student grouping, and instructional strategies that facilitate learning, academic language development; (3) diagnostic, formative and summative assessments; and (4) developmental considerations and accommodations for EL, SN and students with academic/emotional support needs. Lesson plans must also (6) explicitly reference all Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) as appropriate.
Understands the Teaching Performance Assessments, Instructional Cycles 1 and 2, and are supported during as they complete these cycles during student teaching.
Applies techniques of classroom management to ensure best possible learning environment for students.

College Supervisors need to fulfill the following for each teacher candidate

Observe weekly and use observations to complete all required evaluation forms.
Conference with the candidate after each observation.
Confer with Master Teacher at each observation about the candidates’ progress, strengths and areas of concern.
Communicate with Master Teacher and school principal about responsibilities of a Master Teacher and paperwork due throughout student teaching assignment.
Communicate any concerns about the candidates’ progress during a student teaching placement with the Director of Student Teaching.
Ensure that each Master teacher completes all necessary paperwork as it pertains to their role during the candidates’ assignment.

Additional Responsibilities

Attend Master Teacher Workshop each semester to continue to develop professionally, connect with Master Teachers, and understand local school district’s educational focus for the academic year.
Attend all College Supervisors’ Meetings, so as to stay apprised of all changes to the college’s student teaching program, CTC requirements, and develop professionally as an educator.
Attend one adjunct-faculty breakfast per semester (held on Saturday mornings) to continue professional development and stay apprised of all college and Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requirements.

The Department of Education and Child Development has a tradition of preparing highly qualified elementary, secondary, and special education teachers. Offerings include undergraduate studies in child development, and graduate studies in elementary, secondary, and special education, including several credential programs and Master of Arts degree program.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Five years of successful teaching experience in a public school.
A teaching credential in subject area(s) related to credential programs offered at Whittier College.
Excellent organization and communication skills (both written and verbal).
Ability to work professionally with the public, as well as college and district students, faculty, administrators.

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Applications should include copy of teaching credential, resume, and statement of interest. Applicants must submit materials electronically (PDFs preferred) to Dr. Marybeth Murray, Director of Clinical Practice, Whittier College, at mmurray@whittier.edu. Review of completed applications is ongoing. AA/EO Employer.

COMPASS Program Coordinator

Center for Engagement with Communities (CEC) seeks a Program Coordinator, COMPASS. Founded on the principle of reciprocity, the Whittier College – Center for Engagement with Communities (CEC) is dedicated to deepening the practice of service and the pursuit of programs and activities based on the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, information and resources. Our various initiatives develop and strengthen partnerships with individuals and institutions that benefit community-based organizations and enhance student academic learning. Together, faculty, students and community partners identify and address important needs, encouraging a culture of civic engagement that promotes healthier and more educated local communities.

The Program Coordinator supports and leads activities of the COMPASS Program. This position requires a dedication to issues of educational equity/access and a passion for working with midle school and college students who serve as mentors to the middle school students/ Most workshops take place in the afternoons but must be willing to work Saturdays as necessary.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 10-12 hours per week
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Part Time
Salary Range: $15-$16 per hour; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: Director, Center for Engagement with Communities (CEC)
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/CEC

Responsibilities

Plan, lead and coordinate the activities of COMPASS in consultation with CEC Director and in partnership with liaisons at participating high schools. These responsibilities include:
Facilitating communication and supporting partnerships between the CEC and partner schools;
Facilitating college-readiness workshops and individual advisement at Whittier College and school sites for participating students and parents;
Monitoring students’ progress on their research;
Recruiting, interviewing and selecting students for the new program year;
Assist the Director in recruiting new schools and students to participate in the programs
Provide administrative support involved in coordinating all aspects of the Program.
Work with the other Mentor Program Coordinators to ensure that all programs are moving forward in parallel.
Assist with managing and supervising of undergraduate CEC student coordinators and mentors;
Assist with conducting workshops that introduce, train and prepare College mentors to guide, advise, and engage participating high school students.
Develop and maintain the program’s social media and communication designed to inform and highlight activities, projects and events for students, mentors and community partners.
Collect and sort program data and assist with data analysis.
Lead in a style and spirit that deepens and cultivates ties with the community, including individuals, public organizations and non-profit and community-based organizations.
Assist with the coordination of CEC events on campus that further community partnerships and the mission of the CEC.
Serve as a representative of the CEC at events in the community and with community partners.
Other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Bachelor's degree necessary.
Must be passionate about working with high school students and about college access programs.
Some experience with outreach to high school and/or middle school students.
Must be organized and self-starting with outstanding written, oral, research and analytical skills, and a willingness to learn quickly.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Interest in learning to administer service learning/community engagement programs and university/community partnerships within a higher education setting.
Must have a commitment to the mission of the liberal arts college, and commitment to community engagement.
Grant writing experience a plus.

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Director of Admission

The Admission Office at Whittier College seeks a Director of Admission. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director of Admission is a senior-level administrator who will be responsible for coordinating the recruitment, outreach, application review, and communication for prospective undergraduate and graduate students. The position is expected to inspire staff, cultivate a positive office culture, and lead a productive work environment. The Director will also be expected to contribute to the overall strategic planning process of the Enrollment Management Division to help the institution successfully achieve all enrollment, retention, and revenue goals.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
Exempt Status: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Full Time
Salary Range: $88,000-$100,000; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: Vice President of Enrollment Management
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Admission

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the Enrollment Management Leadership team that sets policies, procedures, goals, and initiatives relating to admission and financial aid
Analyze recruitment data to develop a yearly recruitment plan for prospective domestic undergraduate first-year and transfer students entering in the Fall and Spring semester
Oversee the yearly recruitment plan for the Graduate Programs in Education, including co-supervision with the Department of Education & Child Development Chair over the Graduate Admission Counselor
Manage the processing of all undergraduate and graduate applications, and the process for evaluating and selecting prospective students
Ensure effective and efficient use of the office’s Customer Relationship Management tool (Slate by Technolutions)
Help develop and manage the communication work-flow and marketing strategy for recruitment, outreach, and the admission and financial aid processes
Supervision of professional and administrative staff
Oversight over the planning and coordination of Admission Office events
Manage an assigned recruitment territory
Assist in budget management
Serve on various committees to help set campus policies and standards

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Previous Experience

Minimum 7 years of admission related experience
Management experience is preferred

Knowledge and Education

Bachelor’s Degree from accredited institution, advanced degree preferred

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Electronic Devices and Software

Experience using Slate by Technolutions greatly desired

License(s) and Certificate(s)

Must maintain a valid driver’s license

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Director of Development (Academic Success)

The Director will play a critical role in generating transformational change, benefitting Whittier College’s students and faculty for generations to come.

The DoD will work closely with a key group of alumni, parents, and other friends who have the potential to make either outright gifts/pledges of $50,000 or higher, or significant deferred gifts, such as bequests or gift annuities. Most of this work will involve building relationships via face-to-face meetings with potential donors. As such, the Director must be a natural connector, storyteller, and closer. S/he also needs to be results-oriented, with an ability to set goals and evaluate progress.

The DoD will be also responsible for Academic Success fundraising initiatives to encourage curricular and co-curricular successes of Whittier students. He/she will plan, direct, and implement a comprehensive fundraising program for academic success, working to establish long-term partnerships with individual donors that will result in funding for the immediate and long-term goals of the College. The DoD will provide expertise to advance the College’s interests by researching and identifying sources of support, proactively seeking opportunities to generate new proposals, and by maintaining strong ties with interested donors.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
Exempt Status: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Full time
Salary Range: $80,000-$89,500: Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: Associate Vice President of Development
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Advancement

Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities for this role fall into these primary areas:

Driver of fundraising pipeline and results – owner of a donor/prospect portfolio and associated goals; responsible for relationship management from strategy development to successful execution.

Manage portfolio of high-value relationships, at all stages of the fundraising cycle, for the purpose of meeting goals.
Own two or more fundraising territories, becoming resident expert on all prospect activity, volunteer activity, staff travel, and other opportunities in those areas.
Formulate effective goals, strategies, and activities for securing outright gifts/pledges of $50,000 or higher, as well as deferred gifts, engaging other members of the College’s leadership as needed.
Adopt a metrics-driven approach to interpersonal fundraising and meet regularly with supervisor to review plans (revising as needed) and outcomes.
Conduct aggressive outreach to secure 10 personal meetings per month with current and new prospects in order to maintain and grow pipeline of JGWS donors and $50,000+ donors.
Effectively articulate the case for support so that individuals "buy in" to the vision, mission, and goals of the College.
Manage follow-up and stewardship activities for assigned prospects, coordinating with other team members as needed.
Maintain knowledge of planned giving options, opportunities, and applicable laws.
Participate in regular gift officer team meetings to share best practices and ensure accountability and progress toward fundraising goals.
Recommend and assist with Advancement programming and travel involving the President, Vice President for Advancement, other senior administrators, and leadership volunteers.
Must be able to travel around the region and to other areas of the country and work selected nights and weekends for College events as necessary.

Driver of major gifts pipeline and results for fundraising activities related to Academic Success initiatives – instrumental in developing and executing an Academic Success major gifts fundraising strategy as part of Whittier College’s comprehensive campaign.

Maintain an active, current body of knowledge about academic success relative to Whittier College in particular and higher education and philanthropy in general. Work with administration and faculty to be well-informed about Whittier College’s academic success needs and priorities. Research and identify funding opportunities to meet resource needs for institutional priorities and special initiatives related to academic success.
Collaborate with other departments / programs on campus including, but not limited to, offices of Academic Affairs (e.g. Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS), Wardman Library, the Whittier Scholars Program, International Programs, individual academic departments, faculty development initiatives, etc.). Work with faculty and staff on identifying a champion for each fundraising initiative.
Prepare briefing materials, campaign and proposal ideas, and solicitation strategies.
Draft, write, and submit persuasive and successful funding proposals.
Work effectively with other coworkers to promote and maintain a positive work environment and partner, as needed, with other Advancement team members (e.g. Annual Giving, Foundation Relations) on moving forward ideas related to academic success.

The Director will also fulfill other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Previous Experience

The candidate should have a rich development background (minimum 7+ years), preferably in higher education, with a proven record of success in fundraising experience in major gifts and planned giving.
Candidates with experience in marketing, sales, business development, and other areas outside of higher ed advancement who can demonstrate the right set of transferrable relationship-development skills are encouraged to apply and will be considered as well.
Must be a highly energetic and determined professional with a track record of building successful relationships and meeting established goals and objectives.
A track record of building performing organizations, developing successful teams, and managing for success is a must.

Qualities and Abilities

An ideal candidate for this position:

Genuinely loves fundraising/sales – a natural connector who loves telling an organization’s story and
boldly asking for support of its plans.
Has a high marketing and communications IQ – is fascinated by messaging and motivation. S/he communicates well in writing, over the phone, and in person. S/he likes learning what makes a person tick and connecting someone’s passion with opportunity.
Is competitive about results – not with others, but against his/her goals. S/he can’t wait to show people what’s possible.
Is coachable, life-long learner – s/he has grown in past roles, been entrusted with more and more responsibility, and is now ready to take on a new challenge. S/he loves to uncover best practices, learn from his/her peers, seek honest feedback, and take advantage of growth opportunities, both personal and professional.

Knowledge and Education

The candidate must possess exceptional organizational skills, strong written and oral communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, keen attention to detail, proven negotiation and mediation skills, and a creative and positive attitude toward the advancement of Whittier College.
Requires ability to handle multiple assignments with minimum supervision while meeting strict deadlines.
Should have fundraising success working during a comprehensive campaign.
A Bachelor’s degree is required, a Master’s degree preferred.

To Apply

Application Deadline: Until Filled

General Counsel

The President’s Office at Whittier College seeks a General Counsel. The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Whittier College’s legal affairs. This includes representing the College in litigation, employee matters, interfacing with donor trusts and estates, contract review, and state and federal legal and regulatory compliance. The General Counsel is responsible for directing the work of outside counsel as needed. Of critical importance is the incumbent’s ability to interface with other attorneys in higher education and within state and federal agencies. Understanding pending and proposed legislation and recommending appropriate courses of action to the College is a critical aspect of the role. The General Counsel reports directly to the President and indirectly to the Board of Trustees and is a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
Exempt Status: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Full Time
Salary Range: $150,000-$210,000 Annually; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: College President
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/President’s Office

Responsibilities

Responsible for managing all legal matters for the institution.
Provides a high level of professional legal service by representing and advising the institution on a broad range of legal and administrative matters.
Ensures financial control and oversight related to legal matters.
Assumes oversight responsibility for ensuring the campus conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Designs and delivers appropriate compliance training/education to College stakeholders.
Provides advice to key leaders and administrators on legal matters affecting the institution, including advising the Trustees on their legal duties to the corporation.
Drafts, negotiates and reviews contracts.
Oversees intellectual property and trademark matters for the College.
Serves as a key resource to College leadership on the legal implications of new legislation and regulations, academic freedom, and risk management.
Serves as a legal advisor for employee and labor relations including advice for faculty appointments and reviews, tenure/promotion issues, and non-renewal or potential termination of faculty, review and assessment of intellectual property/technology transfer policies affecting faculty work (including patent and copyright issues), discrimination and harassment complaints, compliance with American with Disabilities Act and other anti- discrimination laws as well as compliance with state and federal wage, overtime, and employee benefit laws.
Serves as legal advisor for Student Life related to student conduct, student disciplinary proceedings, institutional responses to student health and safety issues, student records and student organizational activities
Advises College leadership and the Board of Trustees on matters involving Title VII, Title IX, Clery Act, FERPA Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, I-9 employment eligibility verification, etc.
Serves as a legal advisor to the Office of Advancement in reviewing donor trust and estate matters, and compliance with donor tax laws.
Serves as legal spokesperson to the media, when deemed necessary.
Drafts proposed policies and works collaboratively with key leaders to seek the adoption of such policies.
Supervise outside counsel and others representing the College in litigation or claims.
Play an active role in the College’s Emergency Response/Disaster Recovery Teams.
Maintains and catalogues legal documents and contracts for the purpose of ensuring accurate reference materials.
Provides staff development for the purpose of educating others on their legal responsibilities.
Apply data collected to resolve problems.
Formulate recommendations, proposals, and counter proposals.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Previous Experience:

Ten years of experience in the practice of law preferably with significant supervisory experience or experience managing a legal department or law firm.
It is highly desirable that the candidate has significant and broad experience with higher education legal issues and employment law.
General familiarity with the areas of non-profit, real-estate, taxation and constitutional law.
Has a strong understanding of shared governance and academic freedom in the context of a private institution based in California.

Knowledge and Education:

Juris Doctorate degree. Ability to pass a criminal background check.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong legal research abilities.
Strong analytical, advocacy and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work collegially in a diverse and complex environment. This position interacts regularly with senior-level administrators and trustees.
Ability to create, compose and edit legal opinions and other written materials.
Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
Ability to draft legal documents such as legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
Ability to represent College officials in litigation, mediation, arbitration, or administrative proceedings and/or oversee outside counsel to do so.
Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
Negotiating skills.

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Student Data Specialist

The Registrar’s Office at Whittier College seeks a Student Data Specialist to provide administrative support and supervisory support to department staff and faculty in fulfilling department objectives, as well as campus community in fulfilling college-wide objectives.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Full time
Salary Range: $58,000-$60,000; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: College Registrar
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Registrar’s Office

Responsibilities

Trains and provides additional instruction as required. Schedules, assigns and prioritizes workloads on a daily basis. Sets appropriate goals and deadlines.
Develops and Maintains necessary records and files for efficient operations and for archival purposes.
Maintains confidentiality of faculty and student records and files as appropriate and required by law and/or by college and departmental policies.
Process repetitive documents and reports, records data, and files materials.
Follow policies and procedures in maintaining the quality and integrity of data entered in the student system, i.e. making sure data is entered correctly, completely, and consistently.
Maintains course code, schedule of classes and room assignments
Maintains students' major and minor tables and The College Catalog.
Responsible for providing information and reports to departments across campus.
Responsible for providing enrollment reports every 30 days to The National Student Clearinghouse and NSLDS.
maintain, troubleshoot, and enhance our student information system and related systems in coordination with IT.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Experience with Banner student information software. Able to build and run reports using the argos report writing tool that interfaces with Banner. Update and maintain (scribe) the progress to degree software, Degree Works.
Minimum of a BA degree required; fluency in speaking, reading and writing in English required.
Proficiency in student information systems required, specifically Banner, including a high level of competency in Degree Works, scribing and maintenance.
Ability to extract data using report writing tools such as Argos.
Ability to design data blocks in Argos.
Maintain the college catalog via acalog; ability to proofread documents for accuracy in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and content required.

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Theatre Lighting/Production Tech On-Call Pool

Whittier College seeks professionals for their Theatre Technical Production On-call pool. The candidate will provide technical direction, lighting design and supervision for Shannon Center performances and college-related events on an on-call basis when the need arises.

Hours: Vary
Exempt Status: Non-exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: On-call, as needed basis
Salary Range: $25.00 per hour. Minimum call will be 4 hours.

Reports To: Theatre Manager
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/ Shannon Center for Performing Arts

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Rigorously maintain a safe working environment and safe working practices as part of providing technical support for the Shannon Center.
Oversight of technical support operations, including: lighting, sound and staging load-in, setup and strike; maintenance of stage equipment.
Serve as lead lighting designer/technician. Must be proficient with ETC EOS family lighting consoles.
Provide supervision of stage rigging for Shannon Center productions.
Instruct and supervise a part-time, paid student technical staff and also theatre technology laboratory students.
Supervise student crews as needed during technical rehearsals and performances, as well as additionally assigned work calls.
Serve as chief technical liaison if Theatre Technical Director is not on site, cooperating with the performing arts center’s Theatre Manager, Theatre Operations Assistant, and the Theatre Departments Technical Director and Resident Designer, as well as maintaining a high level of professionalism as the contact person for visiting artists and technical personnel.

Non-Essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Previous Experience: Minimum two years relevant full time experience working in a theatre or play house.

Knowledge and Education: The position requires a minimum of a B.A. or B.F.A in theatre with a strong lighting, rigging, and technology emphasis, or the equivalent in work experience and training. Additional graduate training and experience in lighting technology, technical direction, stage rigging, and supervision of theatre students and student employees is preferred. Certification in stage rigging is a plus, as is experience in live sound reinforcement. Must be proficient with ETC EOS family lighting consoles.

Application Deadline: Until Filled

The position is based in Whittier, California. To be considered for this position, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary history to: whittierjobs@whittier.edu or mail to Whittier College, Attn: Human Resources Manager, 13406 E Philadelphia Street Whittier, CA 90608. AA/AOE.

Title IX Coordinator

The Dean of Students Office at Whittier College seeks a Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator coordinates and facilitates the institution’s compliance to Title IX. Develops and implements educational programs regarding discrimination and sexual harassment prevention, ensuring faculty, staff, and students understand their rights and, where applicable, responsibilities under the law. Oversees and coordinates investigations, responses, and resolutions to complaints, to include supervision of investigations and selection, training of Deputy Title IX Coordinators, advisors, investigators and hearing officers and recordkeeping. Regularly reviews responses to civil rights complaints and resolutions to address systemic concerns.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
Exempt Status: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Full Time
Salary Range: $80,000-$105,000; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: Vice President, Dean of Students
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Dean of Students Office

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, coordinates and conducts educational programs and initiatives designed to educate and support faculty, staff and students regarding their rights, responsibilities, and, where applicable, obligations under Title IX. This includes reporting options/obligations, support services, College policy and applicable disciplinary code, grievance procedures, confidential resources, etc.
Oversees, coordinates, and ensures:
- investigations of reports and complaints of discrimination and sexual misconduct are thorough, reliable, timely, confidential and impartial;
- hearing process is fair, timely and equitable;
- findings and resulting sanction are implemented to ensure that they are designed to stop sexual misconduct and/or discrimination and prevent its recurrence.
Trains and ensures investigators, advisors and adjudicators and those involved in processing Title IX complaints are adequately trained and evaluated.
Ensures that documentation of complaint, investigation, adjudication, appeal (where applicable), and sanctions are properly documented.
Identifies systematic problems related to complaints and determines appropriate use of campus or other resources in response, including review and revision of the College’s sexual misconduct and discrimination policies, increased monitoring, supervision or security and increased education and prevention efforts to targeted populations.
Collaborates with leadership and campus constituencies to disseminate information, redesign processes, and manage investigative processes; collaborates and coordinates with compliance partners across the institution to support the College’s overlapping compliance needs and responsibilities.
In conjunction with College leadership and the Public Relations, coordinates communication to the Whittier College community, as appropriate.
As appropriate, communicates with local law enforcement and government agencies to ensure reports are handled appropriately and in a timely manner. Coordinates with local victim advocacy organizations and service providers.
Maintains complaint database and provides President with monthly report of Title VII and Title IX related activity. Develop annual report including education and outreach, training, investigations, and resolutions for faculty, staff, and students.
Serves on various College planning and policy committees, recommends and participates in the development and revision of College policies and procedures, including annual review of Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination policies.
Serves as Campus Security Authority as outlined by the Clery Act.
Performs job-related duties and assigned.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
At least 5 years of experience working in civil rights/discrimination/sexual misconduct related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Preferred Education and Skills

Advanced degree in law or higher education.
10 years or more of experience in higher education working sexual misconduct prevention and response, including advocacy, investigations, adjudication, and decision making.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Ability to develop and present educational programs, workshops or training to a variety of audiences including students, staff, and faculty.
Ability to provide effective and appropriate support and information to students, staff, and faculty.
Ability to provide technical advice and information to faculty and staff in the area of Title IX compliance.
Knowledge of federal, state and institutional policies and practices specific to the applicable compliance.
Project planning skills.
Ability to investigate and analyze complex information, draw conclusions, and support those conclusions including during tense situations.
Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
Experience with crime prevention programs, policies, procedures and practices and ability to train others in these areas.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse college community.
Ability to use conflict resolution and mediation when applicable. Demonstrated experience with restorative practices.
Advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking skills and the ability to effectively summarize and present information.
Ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports.
Ability to use independent judgment while also managing confidential information, as appropriate.
Knowledge of federal and state of California public safety reporting requirements and other applicable crime data reporting, or demonstrated ability to develop that knowledge.
Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment within a complex and diverse community.
Knowledge of current and emerging legislation, policies, and trends in the civil rights arena.
Ability to review current practices and develop and implement new strategies and procedures at the direction of a supervisor and in collaboration with campus colleagues and partners.

Application Deadline: Until Finalist Selected

Veteran Services Coordinator

The Dean of Students Office at Whittier College seeks a Veteran Services Coordinator. The Veterans Services Coordinator is responsible providing and coordinating the necessary support services for the successful operation of the Veterans Success Office. The incumbent will perform a variety of administrative functions and will work collaboratively with administrators, faculty, and students to promote student academic and personal achievement with a student centered environment. Additionally, this individual must coordinate a comprehensive and collaborative campus-wide effort to maximize the recruitment, retention, and graduation of veterans.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 30 hours per week
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Full Time/Part Time status: Part Time, 11 months
Salary Range: $23.50-$25.50 per hour; Salary will commensurate with experience, skills, and knowledge.

Reports to: Associate Dean for Student Life
Location/Department: Whittier College (Main Campus)/Dean of Students Office

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Provides direct leadership for all aspects of the Veterans Service Office, comprised of selecting, training, and supervising student employees.
Developmentally advise students in academic, career, and success goal-setting and achievement via scheduled and walk-in appointments.
Provides leadership and direction related to programming for veteran students and advising the student veteran club on campus. In addition, work with faculty and staff to create programming to assist in the transition, persistence, graduation, and post-graduation placement of veteran students.
Serve as a professional resource to the college community regarding strategies for working with student veterans.
Develops partnerships with national organizations, community colleges, local service bases and community-based organizations with the intention of meeting local veterans' educational needs, establish best practices and increase the veteran population;
Collaborate with other Student Life departments to create programming to enhance the wellbeing of student veterans.
Develop engagement and community among Whittier’s veterans in order to create a "military-friendly" college.
Respond empathetically and accurately to student inquiries in a timely manner

Operational Leadership

Administration/Management
- Hire, train and supervise Whittier, Federal and VA work study students to assist in the support of veteran students
- Provide outreach and support of veteran students at Whittier College
- Maintain and update student records and data, including documentation of student interactions, accurately and in a timely manner, including providing regular reports and accurate data regarding activities.
- Works closely with institutional certifying officer and assists to certify Veterans.
Collaboration
- Participate and plan Veteran specific orientation, academic and career services events, student life and engagement initiatives.
- Assist admissions in the outreach and recruitment of U.S. Military veterans
- Serve as an effective liaison between VA certifying official, Student Life, Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Business Office, and other departments of the College.
- Refer veteran students to appropriate offices to assist them in their student success and preparation for post-graduate career opportunities

Additional Functions of the Job

Represent the College as appropriate in its relationship with the community, government agencies, professional organizations, and other groups.
Attend Division of Student Life, Campus Life and all staff meetings.
Serve on institutional committees as requested.

Non-essential Functions of the Job

None identified at this time.

Position Specifications and Requirements

Previous Experience

A minimum of one year working with US military veteran populations.
One to two years of professional experience in student affairs and a commitment to the ideals of a liberal arts education.
Demonstrated knowledge of veteran affairs/services.
Knowledge of issues relevant to the veteran/service member population and direct experience with this population
Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to cultural differences

Knowledge and Education

Bachelor’s degree required. A Master's degree in Higher Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling or a field related is preferred.
Effective interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to relate well to students, faculty, family and staff are essential.
Requires an organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented individual who is able to work well with enthusiasm as part of a team.
A strong intellectual framework for understanding and articulating issues of diversity and inclusion.
Knowledge of issues relevant to the veteran/service member population and direct experience with this population.
Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation required.

Application Deadline: Until Finalists Selected

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Whittier College announces a national search for an experienced, innovative, collaborative and visionary Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty (VPAA/DOF). Whittier is a four-year liberal arts institution inspired by a Quaker heritage that prepares students to be active citizens and effective communicators who embrace diversity and act with integrity. While non-denominational since the 1940s, Whittier takes pride in the social values of its Quaker heritage – respect for the individual, freedom of conscience, integrity, justice, service and internationalism.

Whittier enrolls approximately 1,670 undergraduates and 73 graduate students and offers over 30 majors in 23 disciplines leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree including business, political science, psychology, English and biology. In 2019, Whittier granted 382 degrees, 362 of which were at the undergraduate level. Additionally, the College’s long-standing graduate program in education offers both credential and Master of Arts in education degree programs that further the institution's tradition of excellence in the preparation of teachers. Broadoaks Children's School – a private, non-profit demonstration school on the Whittier campus – serves as a learning laboratory for Whittier faculty and students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Whittier is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and its graduation rate for Latino students is among the best in the nation. In addition, the College qualifies for the designation of an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC), when reaffirming accreditation, observed that "Learning outcomes have been established, and evidence has been collected on how students experience diversity on campus. The Commission joins the team in commending Whittier for providing a full and rich experience in the classroom, in co-curricular activities, in the living environment and in field experiences with respect to culture and diversity."

The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty reports directly to the President and manages seventeen direct reports overseeing the divisions of Academic Planning and International Study, Faculty Development, First-Year Programs, Institutional Research and Assessment, and Academic Support, as well the Library, Information Technology, the Writing Program, the Whittier Scholars Program, the Center for Engagement with Communities, Title V, Disabilities Services, Registrar and the Broadoaks Children’s School.

The next Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty will have an exceptional leadership opportunity to partner with faculty to shape a new and dynamic academic vision for the College. As the chief academic officer of a vibrant and diverse private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and experiential learning, service and leadership, the VPAA/DOF will drive teaching, learning and innovation in an effort to prepare a multicultural student body for future leadership opportunities that make a positive impact on society and the world. The next VPAA/DOF will collaborate with the President, senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students to develop a shared academic vision that is in synergy with the current ongoing development of the College’s strategic plan and curriculum visioning exercise. The VPAA/DOF will have the opportunity to leverage Whittier’s unique identity as one of the most diverse four-year liberal arts institutions in the country, and position it as a national model for the future.

As one academic voice of many, the VPAA/DOF will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of a new curriculum; advocating on behalf of a committed and dedicated faculty while considering the strategic objectives and vision of the president and Board; focusing on student success and outcomes of a student body that is overwhelmingly students of color; demonstrating actions and behaviors that make diversity and inclusion a high priority; supporting a culture of partnership, teamwork and collaboration in a consensus-driven decision-making environment; and maintaining a deep knowledge and understanding of current higher education trends and the future of private liberal arts education.

The incoming Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty should be an inspirational, entrepreneurial leader and an active listener with the ability to work productively across campus with faculty, staff, administrators and students. The VPAA/DOF should have an impressive track record of leadership experience within a private liberal arts institution or equivalent organizational environment. A background in the areas of finance and budget management, curriculum review and implementation, building strong, collaborative and productive relationships with both internal and external constituent groups, and working across divisions to support teaching, research and service is preferred. Finally, success in this role requires a clear understanding of, affinity for and commitment to the mission of Whittier College.

For information on how to apply or to submit nominations, please refer to the section “Procedure for Candidacy” at the end of this document.

Role and Responsibilities

Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty leads all aspects of Whittier’s academic program including the long-term planning and development of the curriculum and the ongoing professional development of the faculty serving the undergraduate population and the graduate program in education.

As Whittier continues to equip its students to face the challenges of the future, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty will support and operationalize an inclusive planning process led by the faculty to strengthen and enhance the curriculum of the College. This will be accomplished by drawing on emerging fields of inquiry as well as proven values and traditions of liberal arts education, new teaching and learning technologies, and the curiosity of faculty and staff. With commitment to creating a seamless learning environment for students, the VPAA/DOF works across divisions to support student success.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty also provides direction for the strategies and tactics that advance the growth and distinction of the faculty, plays an important role in promotion and tenure decisions, and works with faculty committees and the Trustee Academic Affairs Committee on all strategic aspects of Whittier’s curriculum and faculty affairs. Finally, the VPAA/DOF is responsible for guiding the accreditation process. In the Academic Affairs division, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty has seventeen direct reports overseeing academic and administrative personnel. They include Associate or Assistant Deans for Academic Planning and International Study, Faculty Development, First-Year Programs, Institutional Research and Assessment, and Academic Support, as well as Directors of the Library, Information Technology, the Writing Program, the Whittier Scholars Program, the Center for Engagement with Communities, Title V, Disabilities Services, and the Broadoaks Children’s School, along with the Registrar and an Executive Assistant. The VPAA/DOF also contributes to College leadership through participation in the Personnel, Educational Policies, and Assessment Committees of the faculty, among others.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty will play a key role in continuing to advance the three strategic imperatives established by President Linda Oubré in her first year: equity and inclusion in support of student success, new revenue generation, and aligning resources with mission. Now in her second year, the President has launched a comprehensive strategic planning process that will project a vision for the future, identify institutional strategic imperatives, and align College resources to achieve identified goals.

Stemming from a conversation across the institution and with its Board, initial priorities for the new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty to understand, define further, and pursue has been identified. These priorities include:

Work with the faculty, the President’s Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees to provide leadership to institutional planning for the future of Whittier’s curriculum and for preparing Whittier graduates for successful entry into graduate school and/or the world of work and for life-long learning.
Provide leadership in faculty recruitment and development by planning long-range hiring strategies, identifying opportunities for external/endowed funding, defining fields and disciplines in which the College will invest (possibly including additional graduate programs), and emphasizing the sustained excellence and diversity of the faculty.

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

Establish and Communicate a Compelling and Forward Looking Academic Vision

The new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty will arrive at an inflection point for the College. With the appointment of President Linda Oubré in July 2018, Whittier College have embarked upon a new era in the institution's history. The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty will play a pivotal role in shaping and reimaging the future academic vision for the institution. Building on a curriculum review process that is currently underway, the VPAA/DOF will work with campus leaders to create and implement an innovative and forward-looking culture of learning and success that responds to student needs and interests. The VPAA/DOF will lead and facilitate campus conversations on the development of new programs and initiatives that will serve and meet the needs of current and future students, while creating new revenue streams for institutional sustainability. Furthermore, the new VPAA/DOF should also assist and support scholarly research and innovation on campus.

Support the Institution's Strategic Planning Process

Currently, the campus is engaged in early stage planning efforts to develop a new College strategic plan. The VPAA/DOF will be a critical thought partner in this process, building on the institution’s distinctive areas of excellence while identifying new emerging areas for growth and development. The academic vision will play a significant role in guiding the finalization and implementation of this plan. The VPAA/DOF will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the strategic plan and lead implementation of the plan as it relates to the academic future of the College. The VPAA/DOF will provide leadership and vision to departments and programs so they can effectively align their goals to the wider College strategic plan and future ambitions.

Focus on Trends of Higher Education and Future of Liberal Arts Education

The VPAA/DOF will work closely with the President and Cabinet to chart the future of Whittier College. Being mindful of trends in higher education, the future of liberal arts education and the changing demographics of college going students, the VPAA/DOF will help Whittier be proactive and forward thinking about its role in this changing environment. As the College's academic leader, the VPAA/DOF will lead with enthusiasm and creativity to help the educational experience evolve in new ways and into new areas, while reflecting the institution’s history as a Quaker college and its ongoing commitment to the liberal arts and educating the students of the future. The VPAA/DOF will also lead campus-wide conversations on what it means to be a liberal arts college located in Los Angeles and serving a highly diverse population. The College has tremendous opportunity to be a leader in re-envisioning a liberal arts education in the 21st century. To accomplish this goal, the VPAA/DOF will be expected to be forward thinking and creative and to embody and fulfill a commitment to advancing diversity, academic excellence and teaching quality across all programs.

Create a campus culture grounded in diversity, mutual trust and respect, transparency, communication and collaboration

In September 2019, Whittier College was ranked in the top 15% of colleges and universities for diversity and inclusion by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education (WSJ/THE) college rankings. Students of color constitute 70% of Whittier’s undergraduate student body and nearly a third of full-time faculty are people of color. The College is also recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution. Leading from a place of respect, dignity and trust, the VPAA/DOF will be expected to articulate an academic vision that genuinely embraces diversity, increasing equity and access, and enhances communication, collaboration, transparency and inclusivity among and between staff, faculty and students.

Although no longer formally associated with the Quaker Society of Friends, the College's roots in Quaker values are still very much part of its institutional culture. These values are deeply embedded on campus and woven into the community. Respect for the individual, commitment to a diverse student body as well as faculty and staff, freedom of conscience, respect for human difference, and community involvement are in evidence in the student experience and across campus. As part of the Quaker tradition, Whittier’s faculty governance operates under a consensus based decision-making process. The new VPAA/DOF should be comfortable engaging in conversation and participating in a deeply rooted shared governance model.

The VPAA/DOF will be expected to bring both a personal and professional commitment to ensure steady and real progress, working with partners across campus. This requires a willingness to engage with the campus community in a truly inclusive way, listening thoughtfully with a deep desire to understand various viewpoints, making careful and thoughtful decisions in a timely manner, communicating clearly those decisions and the rationale for them, and putting those decisions into action to establish and maintain a strong sense of progress and forward momentum. The VPAA/DOF must be willing to engage the campus in difficult conversations and lead individuals involved and the community toward resolution through openness, transparency and mutual respect. Underlying these efforts must be a steadfast commitment to collaboration and to creating an inclusive environment where diversity of thought is championed and encouraged.

Grow, develop and empower faculty and staff

It will be important for the next VPAA/DOF to support faculty innovation through teaching and research and to ensure student success remains a top priority. Emphasizing sustained excellence, the VPAA/DOF will draft a strategic plan for faculty hiring, development and retention that aligns with the curricular change and comprehensive strategic planning underway at the College. The VPAA/DOF will also be an equal advocate for faculty and staff, recognizing the complexity of supporting both constituencies. Promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion among all staff and faculty will be paramount. It will be important to foster a culture of partnership, appreciation and trust between staff and faculty.

The VPAA/DOF will build a culture of professional development and continuous improvement. In addition, the VPAA/DOF will build a culture of engagement and consistency, clarifying policy and practice and building the infrastructure to support faculty engagement and scholarly productivity as the College grows and evolves.

Personal Qualifications and Qualities

Ideal candidates will possess:

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups, both internal and external to the College.
A data-driven decision making style based on transparency, collaboration, consensus and collegiality
The ability to listen, analyze and interpret information and feedback provided by the College's various constituencies to support academic decisions.
An awareness of the trends and issues impacting higher education nationally.
An appreciation and excitement for the diverse nature of the College's campus community, Los Angeles and California.
A high energy level and teamwork oriented leadership style.
Demonstrates honesty and integrity.
Ability to manage multiple competing priorities of faculty, staff, students and administrators.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Strong change management skills; ability to lead the evolution of an organization through significant change and development.
Flexible and adaptable; ability to think creatively and assume reasonable levels of risk.
Exceptional budget management skills; experience developing creative revenue streams.
Understanding and appreciation of operational functions, including HR and legal.
Experience with and knowledge of curriculum review and redesign.

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate an impressive track record of academic leadership, preferably in a liberal arts college or in a university with a strong undergraduate focus. An earned doctorate in a scholarly field or appropriate terminal degree is required.

In addition, strong candidates will distinguish themselves by their commitment to excellence in learning outcomes for a diverse undergraduate population and by leadership qualities that emphasize collaboration, consensus-building, and decision-making in a collegial environment with a strong tradition of shared governance.

The VPAA/DOF must be able to inspire and lead an accomplished faculty to sustain the College’s liberal arts focus while also embracing new fields of inquiry and instructional technologies. He or she must be an inclusive leader with strong interpersonal and communication skills as well as vision, energy, and integrity. The VPAA/DOF must also be effective in reaching out to foundations and individuals to garner support for the academic program and promoting the accomplishments of the faculty to a broad audience.

Finally, success in this role requires a clear affinity for and deep commitment to the mission of Whittier College.

Whittier College: An Overview

Whittier College, founded in 1887, was named for the Quaker abolitionist poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Since that time, the institution has grown into a distinctive, national liberal arts college serving a diverse student population with unique, widely praised curricula. The College campus provides an intimate environment in which over 1,700 students live and study with more than 100 distinguished faculty. Whittier encourages students to become broadly educated rather than merely trained for a specific career. Small, interactive classes led by full-time faculty members inspire students to cultivate the analytical, critical, and rhetorical skills that all liberally educated persons enjoy.

Although Whittier has maintained no formal affiliation with the Religious Society of Friends since the 1940s, the social values of our Quaker heritage—respect for the individual, freedom of conscience, integrity, justice, and internationalism—strongly influence the College’s ethos. From the beginning, the same egalitarian views that placed Quakers in the forefront of the battle to abolish slavery dictated that the College open its doors to persons of both genders, as well as all races and nations.

Today, Whittier ranks as one the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country—overall students of color constitute 70% of the student body and the College is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Moreover, more than 48 percent of Whittier students are the first in their families to attend college and most receive some form of financial aid. Whittier attracts students from every socioeconomic tier, from a myriad of religious and social backgrounds, and from 35 states and 27 countries.

In the College’s culture of diversity and inclusion, Whittier mirrors the changing global community. Through the power of a groundbreaking experience in the liberal arts and sciences, Whittier prepares the kind of leaders the nation and world most need. And, in fulfilling an educational mission of vital importance, Whittier changes lives and transforms communities.

Quick Facts

Whittier’s student-faculty ratio is 12 to 1 and nearly 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
The five most popular majors are: business administration, kinesiology, biology, psychology, and English.
Whittier’s graduate program in Education offers a Master of Arts in Education as well as three credential programs.
About 25% of students major in the humanities, 18% in natural sciences, 50% in social sciences, and 7% in interdisciplinary studies.
In 2019, Whittier granted 382 degrees, 362 at the undergraduate level and 30 at the graduate level.
As part of Whittier’s dedication to providing access, the College is committed to offering transfer students from two-year colleges the opportunity to earn a high quality, four-year degree. Whittier partnered recently with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) to create a pathway for California college students graduating with an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or an Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T).
Broadoaks Children's School – a private, non-profit demonstration school on the Whittier campus – serves as a learning laboratory for Whittier faculty and students, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Marketing Efforts

Whittier’s leadership team, in partnership with Whittier Trustee Jascha Kaykas-Wolff ’98, chief marketing officer at Mozilla, is undertaking a marketing study during the 2019-20 school year that is aimed at identifying the College’s points of distinction. In addition, the College is starting a website update in fall 2019 with a focus on improving user experience, content display, and other aesthetic elements.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program is small by design. Enrollment has remained strong despite increased competition with California’s well-regarded public universities and colleges. The past few years have seen significant increases in the numbers of applications and the academic profile of the student body has improved.

In the 2018-19 academic year, Whittier enrolled 1,732 undergraduate students representing a broad diversity of backgrounds. Approximately 70% were students of color, of which 73% were Latino, 4% Black, and 10% Asian. Whittier’s students come from 35 states, and 13 countries. More than 40% of the total are the first member of their family to attend college.

Students may graduate under one of two general education programs: either the Liberal Education Program or the Whittier Scholars Program. The Liberal Education Program focuses on writing, critical thinking, oral communication and quantitative skills in the context of a balanced curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary work and connectedness across disciplines. Students currently take courses in eight distinct areas of academic and cultural study.

The Whittier Scholars Program (WSP) is a rigorous, individualized, interdisciplinary program that offers an alternative approach to a liberal arts degree. Working with faculty advisors and their peers, students in the WSP construct an educational program that is unique to them, as well as designed to make them educated individuals in the world today.
Regardless of department or program, Whittier offers its students the opportunity to work in an intimate and collaborative learning environment where new and renovated classrooms, laboratory, library and student-activities spaces enhance the impact of Whittier’s 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Undergraduate Research

Whittier’s faculty exhibits a rare commitment to balancing the teaching of undergraduate students with scholarly accomplishment. Working closely with faculty, students have the opportunity to conduct research and put into practice the lessons they have been taught in the classroom. Whittier students will frequently co-author articles with peers and faculty members and present at professional conferences around the country. In addition, all student researchers are encouraged to participate in the Southern California Research Conference as well as Whittier’s Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (URSCA) Presentation Day. URSCA is an opportunity for students to showcase their work and to share their research with the College community.

Study Abroad

Approximately 40% of Whittier's undergraduates participate in study abroad programs by the time they graduate. Opportunities for international study are offered in over 30 countries at more than 70 locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America through direct exchanges and affiliations with a variety of academic institutions. The College has developed a robust catalog of short-term, faculty-led travel programs that make study abroad more accessible for all. Usually two weeks in duration, these courses enable a greater number of students to study abroad during the College’s January and May terms.

In 2017, the College launched the Global Poets Scholarship (GPS), providing a guaranteed scholarship of $2,000 to any student studying abroad. This scholarship affirms Whittier’s commitment to developing leaders with a global outlook and superior cultural competencies. Most importantly, the GPS scholarship has helped Whittier College foster inclusivity, both at home and abroad.

Service Learning

Whittier College’s Center for Engagement with Communities connects the College with non-profit organizations and local government in Whittier and the neighboring communities. On average, 300 to 400 students work in the community—in internships and classes, or in volunteer service. From tutoring at local schools and youth clubs, to serving as docents at museums, to conducting research for local hospitals, to working with environmental groups protecting the Whittier Hills, our students are vitally involved in the local and global community.

Career Development

Committed to preparing students for life after college, Whittier’s Weingart Center for Career and Professional Development provides services and resources for students and alumni to succeed in every stage of their career. The center’s career counselors help students create four-year career development plans that align with academic goals and offer support as students execute their plans via high-impact practices including undergraduate research, internships, service learning opportunities, on-campus jobs and study abroad experience.

Student Life and Campus Culture

Residential living is viewed as an integral part of the educational experience. About half of all students and more than 70 percent of all first-years live on campus in one of six residence halls and one apartment building.
Enriching campus life are two Faculty Residences that are integrated into the student living spaces. Distinguished faculty members who live in beautiful homes on campus link academic and residential life by coordinating dozens of on-campus and off-campus events such as concerts, museum visits, fireside chats, faculty-student dinners, and discussions with world-renowned guests and visiting scholars.

Students are involved with numerous cultural activities designed to enhance their co-curricular development. There are two exhibition spaces on campus for student art work, an artist lecture series and outings to art-related events in the greater Los Angeles area. The College choir and music ensembles perform throughout the academic year, and students engage in digital music production and engineering in the Chowdry Music Lab, a state of the art recording studio. Each year, the theatre department produces three productions in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, providing opportunities for students to become involved both on and behind the stage. The Shannon Center was cited as “arguably the finest theatre space in the state,” by On Stage blog.

The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) develops programming with the aim of nurturing a campus community that embraces, appreciates, and respects individuals of all identities and backgrounds. OEI works closely with students, faculty, and staff to provide meaningful opportunities that meet the needs of a diverse College community and connects underrepresented students to academic services, career counseling, and support networks that foster student persistence and success.

Whittier’s undergraduate students broaden their educational experience through participation in other co-curricular activities. The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) provides support to more than 70 student clubs and organizations ranging from The Quaker Campus student newspaper to the Associated Students of Whittier College to affinity, identity, interest, and service clubs, to Societies – Whittier’s version of fraternities and sororities. OSE also offers formal and informal leadership training opportunities for all interested students.

Library

Serving as the intellectual hub of Whittier College, Wardman Library offers a welcoming space for individual and collaborative learning. Whittier’s librarians guide and teach students to discover, evaluate, and utilize scholarly information through carefully curated print, electronic, and media resources. The Library’s dedicated staff foster a balanced and enjoyable environment conducive to research and reflection.

Athletics

The NCAA Division III Poet athletic program is designed to give students the opportunity to compete intensely while being challenged in a rigorous academic setting. Every season, Poet athletes are celebrated for their athletic victories on the field as well as their impressive academic achievements in the classroom. This past year, the overall average GPA for student-athletes was 3.08, while 36% of student-athletes had a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Five teams were awarded Academic All-American. Scholar-athletes also fully participate in co-curricular and leadership opportunities offered at Whittier. With a combined 22 men’s and women’s teams and almost one-third of Whittier students representing the Purple & Gold, Whittier Athletics’ positive impact on campus is palpable.

Athletics facilities dominate the eastern half of campus and blend into picturesque Worsham Canyon. The Donald E. Graham Athletic Center is the epicenter of these programs. Most facilities have seen enhancements over the last few years—new turf on the football field and a new track in Memorial Stadium, resurfaced Richard Ettinger Tennis Courts, a new dugout and scoreboard on the baseball field, aesthetic additions to the Charles and Marie Palmer Softball Field, and most notably the renovation of the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center.

Graduate Program

Whittier's longstanding graduate program in Education includes both credential and Master of Arts in Education degree tracks. Whittier is authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to offer Preliminary Multiple Subject (elementary), Single Subject (secondary), and Education Specialist teaching credentials. In addition, we offer three types of M.A. tracks: credential plus M.A., Induction program plus M.A., and M.A. only. Our faculty includes outstanding teachers and administrators with advanced academic degrees and professional experience in their specialty areas. Among the themes that unify graduate study at Whittier College are appreciation of diversity, active construction of knowledge, value of critical thinking, and lifelong learning. The college is looking to expand its graduate programs.

Accreditation

Whittier College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Department of Education of the State of California has granted the College the right to recommend candidates for teaching credentials. The College's programs are on the approved list of the American Chemical Society, the Council on Social Work Education, and the American Association of University Women.

The College received reaffirmation of its accreditation from the WASC Commission in 2013 and positive report on its interim report in 2016. Whittier College is scheduled for its next institution report in 2021 and an accreditation visit in 2022. This schedule demonstrates the confidence the Commission has in Whittier's current operations and plans for the future.

In their most recent accreditation visit report, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges said:

Culture and diversity. According to the team, “Whittier has made culture and diversity the cornerstone of the curriculum and co-curricular program.” Multicultural enriching activities, courses, and programs offer students the opportunities to learn about and actively engage with culture and diversity. Learning outcomes have been established, and evidence has been collected on how students experience diversity on campus. The Commission joins with the team in commending Whittier for providing “a full and rich experience in the classroom, in co-curricular activities, in the living environment, and in field experiences with respect to culture and diversity.”
Faculty, staff, and administration commitment. The team was impressed by the personal attention students receive, the small classes taught by caring faculty, the availability of faculty outside of class, and the support provided by student service units. The dedication and enthusiasm of those who work at Whittier were readily apparent to the team during the visit. The team concluded that stakeholders are “deeply committed to students and to the value the institution places on community.”

Faculty and Staff

As a visionary, President Linda Oubré is leading an exceptional executive team to create a transformational contemporary experience for the Whittier College community. The leadership team brings an extraordinary wealth of experience and impressive credentials that exemplify a high standard of excellence to a 130+ year-old institution. The President has promoted and attracted a leadership team with a blend of higher education, industry, and entrepreneurial experience to help accelerate growth opportunities for Whittier College.

In addition to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, the President’s Cabinet includes Vice Presidents for Advancement and Strategic Partnerships, Enrollment Management, Finance and Administration and the Vice President and Dean of Students. Also included are Associate Vice Presidents for Business Services and Controller, Development, Human Resources and Organizational Development, and Marketing and Commutations, as well as the Director of Athletics and the Executive Assistant to the President, who staffs the Office of the President and is Assistant Secretary of the Board. The President reports to the College’s Board of Trustees.

Very passionate about student success, the team embraces and reflects the diversity of the College, the Greater Los Angeles area, and the world. In a consensus driven organization, the leadership team has a collaborative, thoughtful, and results oriented approach to discovering “out of the box” solutions to complex issues affecting higher education today. With a commitment to growth, the President has introduced a culture of innovation to create interdisciplinary new revenue generation opportunities to attract a broad demographic of new learners to the College; launch a new curriculum review after 20 years; and build stronger ties to the Whittier and Greater Los Angeles business community.

There is a vital emphasis on high quality teaching at the College, and teaching quality is the most important factor in judging promotion and tenure. The faculty's commitment to undergraduate education includes not only outstanding classroom performance but also close and caring advisement, considerable interaction with students in co-curricular settings, and a belief that students and faculty learn together in common educational and research pursuits. A low student to faculty ratio, averaging 12:1, facilitates this close relationship. The College is proud of the extent to which the faculty's commitment to curricular initiatives, teaching innovations, and student advisement are nationally recognized.

Faculty members are actively engaged in research in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, and in creative work in the arts. Virtually all of the College’s 125 full-time undergraduate faculty have earned doctorates or other terminal degrees in their fields. They hold degrees from prestigious undergraduate and graduate schools throughout the nation and the world. As a reflection of the College’s student population, nearly one-third of faculty members identify as people of color. Many Whittier professors are recognized both nationally and internationally as experts in their fields. Recently, members of the faculty have received recognition and support from the BCM Foundation, NASA, the Department of Defense, Mellon Foundation and the Luce Foundation, among others.

The staff of Whittier College includes almost 300 individuals serving in a wide range of professional and support positions. With a customer service orientation, the staff takes great pride in the quality of their work and the collaborative relationships they have with faculty to promote student success. Many staff members have been members of the Whittier College community for more than a decade and dozens hail Whittier as their alma mater.

The Board of Trustees

The members of the Whittier College Board of Trustees are remarkable world leaders, as alumni, parents, and distinguished professionals who believe in making significant impacts on the lives of future generations of Poets. With a commitment to excellence, the Trustees are the architects of change at Whittier. Intentionally observing and discovering aspects of transposition in liberal arts institutions across the nation, the leadership sought to inaugurate a President with the vision and prudence to take Whittier College to a whole new dimension. Members of the Board of Trustees truly appreciate our culture of personal attention to student success and look forward to the prospect of a positive transformational future for Whittier College.

The Board is engaged and dedicated to serving the mission of the College. Currently composed of 31 members, they bring expertise in business and industry, legal affairs, academia, and the non-profit sector. Approximately two-thirds of Board members live in California, with others residing across the nation and in Asia. Board members are exemplary in their commitment to and support of the College; one hundred percent of trustees contribute leadership gifts. Recently, the Association of Governing Boards recognized Whittier’s trustees with the John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership, applauding their leadership in producing success of the Science & Learning Center project. The Board has three regular meetings each year and is currently organized into several committees including Executive, Academic Affairs, Advancement, Audit, Buildings and Grounds, Committee on Trustees, Enrollment and Student Life, Finance, and Investment. In recent years, the Board has created three ad hoc committees to aid strategic decision-making around enrollment directions, the future of higher education, and the law school.

Alumni

With more than 18,000 alumni worldwide, Whittier has an active and impressive alumni body. Our graduates are in virtually every industry imaginable. They are research scientists and doctors, captains of commerce and entrepreneurs, Peace Corps volunteers and educators, policy-makers and advocates, artists and musicians, among others. Alumni will often talk about how at Whittier they found their passion and developed the skills needed for their eventual career. In a recent comprehensive alumni survey, 90% of respondents felt that it was a good or great decision to attend Whittier. Likewise, 90% said that they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the course of their careers and that their education had prepared them adequately or very well.

Through special events, social media, e-newsletters, and publications, the College nurtures long-term connections that sustain a mutually beneficial relationship between the College and its alumni.

Notable Whittier College alumni include: Cheryl Boone Isaacs ’71, former president, American Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences; Carey Halio ’95, division CEO, Goldman Sachs; Cassey Ho ’09, fitness entrepreneur, CEO Blogilates; M. René Islas ’00, chief external relations officer, Leading Educators; Edwin Keh ’79, CEO, Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel; John Murdy ’89, creative director and executive producer, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights; Gilbert Ochoa '81, superior court judge, State of California; Miguel Santana ’91, president and CEO of Fairplex in Pomona; and Stephanie Wiggins ’92, CEO, Metrolink, among many others.

Whittier’s Campus

The 75-acre site of Whittier’s historic campus is visually attractive, with architecture that combines the Spanish mission style with more modern forms in its 34 major structures. A continuous renewal of facilities through new building and historic preservation is evident. The renovation of the Science & Learning Center (SLC)—the largest capital project in College’s history—was completed in fall 2016. The new SLC provides the campus with its largest academic building, modern laboratories and classrooms, and collaborative study areas used by students day and night. The Center’s construction also has enabled the expansion of Whittier’s science and allied health curriculum. Other key capital projects completed in the last ten years include refurbishment of historic Hoover Hall and upgraded media-ready classrooms, enhanced athletic facilities include the renovation of the Graham Athletic Center, the Lillian Slade Aquatics Center, and a renovation and expansion of Wallace “Chief” Newman Field and Aubrey Bonham Track.

Additionally, through a campus master plan, the College’s landscape is being converted to a sustainable plant palette filled with purple and gold, the College’s colors.

The campus’s charm and beauty are due in large part to its historic architecture, a designation that requires careful and cooperative planning that allows for renovation and refurbishment while addressing the changing demands of academic and residential life programs.

Finances

The College’s budget for the fiscal year is approximately $63 million. Student charges provide approximately 86% of the College’s revenue. Annual giving provides 3% of revenue and the balance is from endowment income and other sources. The College’s endowment totaled just over $119 million at June 30, 2019. The overall institutional undergraduate tuition discount rate (institutionally supported student aid to gross tuition and fee revenue) is 52.4%.

Fundraising

The Office of Advancement is currently developing a comprehensive portfolio of initiatives that will span every area of the Poet campus and will serve as the basis for ongoing conversations with prospective donors. The initiatives will focus on creating a bright future for all students in areas of academic and student success and secure the College’s reputation in its third century of existence as a place where students and communities are transformed.
The most recent capital project was the renovation of the Science & Learning Center. In the largest campaign ever at Whittier for any single capital project, the most important academic building on campus was funded with more than $25 million of gifts from individuals and foundations. This successful effort came on the heels of several recent capital improvement campaigns, including the Slade Aquatics Center at $2.4 million and the Campus Center at $7.2 million; several other athletics projects followed, most notably a new track and field surface at $1.7 million. In total, over $40 million was raised for capital improvements during the last decade.

Whittier’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Federal Government enables it to secure funding that benefits the entire student body. For example, a Title V grant totaling $2.6 million was secured in 2015 to enhance overall retention of students in STEM programs. Additionally, the College has excellent relationships with local and national foundations, including the Ahmanson Foundation, BCM Foundation, Fletcher Jones Foundation, Rose Hills Foundation, Weingart Foundation, Andrew Mellon Foundation, W.M. Keck Foundation, and others.

In 2016-2017, the College launched an ongoing Poet Legacies Campaign, an ongoing effort focused on planned gifts with the goal of increasing the number of bequests to the College. Since its launch, the Advancement Office has successfully secured or identified 57 new planned giving commitments totaling more than $12 million for all areas of the campus.

Whittier, California

Whittier's Community

On the eastern edge of the campus, just beyond the athletic fields, lie the Puente Hills. In the other direction, the hills look out over the San Gabriel Valley toward the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. On the west side of campus lies Uptown Whittier, still retaining some of the feel of the community mapped out in 1887 by the original Quaker settlers. Today, the tree-lined, revitalized Uptown district thrives with shops, restaurants of every description, banks, churches, civic buildings and library, a movie theater, a major hotel, and a farmers' market every Friday morning.

The greater Whittier area covers almost 15 square miles and has a diverse population of about 85,000 residents. Whittier and nearby cities support many large commercial centers and varied business enterprises. Opportunities abound for students to engage in service learning and internships in schools, retirement complexes, social service organizations, Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, PIH Hospital, and a variety of businesses.

Los Angeles’ center lies 18 miles west of campus; nearby Orange County is to the south. The commercial, cultural, and entertainment capital of the Pacific Rim provides outstanding opportunities for students and faculty of all interests. The Southern California region is home to over 300 museums and galleries, over 50 colleges and universities, more than 50 orchestras and cultural centers representing nearly every corner of the globe. For educational or recreational purposes, beaches and tide pools, mountain peaks and passes, and the high desert are less than an hour’s drive from Whittier College.

Whittier recognizes the richness of opportunities that lie within easy reach of its campus. The College has committed to maximizing its auspicious locations in Southern California, using this vast resource as a "laboratory" for observation, fieldwork and internships.

Procedure for Candidacy

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by November 27. Candidates should provide, as three separate documents, a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile, and the names and contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. These materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the Whittier College’s consultants Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D. and Alejandra Gillette-Teran at WhittierVPAAandDean@wittkieffer.com. Documents that must be mailed may be sent to WittKieffer, 2015 Spring Road, Suite 510, Oak Brook, IL 60523. The consultants can be reached through the office of Hillary Hmura at 630-575-6959.

Pool of Eligible Temporary Staff (P.O.E.T.S)

Temporary and On-Call assignments are periodically available in various departments of the College. Varying levels of experience, skills, knowledge, and abilities in secretarial and clerical work desirable. Candidates must be available on short notice and be flexible regarding duties and scheduled work hours. Qualified candidates interested in this opportunity are welcomed to send resume and cover letter to whittierjobs@whittier.edu.