SA: Campus Life Equity & Inclusion Peer Advisor (S99866)

Summary

About this Position:
Campus Life Equity & Inclusion Peer Advisors serve as a trusted resource for students engaged with BCSG-recognized clubs and Campus Life-supported organizations. Their primary role is to serve as consultants on issues relating to equity and inclusion, including but not limited to, creating and sustaining inclusive environments, ensuring consistency in club/org constitutions, leadership selection and development, and promoting a sense of belonging. Each Equity & Inclusion Peer Advisor will be assigned to support several specific Campus Life student organizations closely, as well as oversee a cohort of approximately 15-20 clubs to provide assistance as needed. This position will start in April and continue next academic year.

Leadership Development
Campus Life embeds the Bates Leads Framework into its student leadership and employment positions. The following competencies are most relevant to this position:

Consciousness of Self & Impact: Awareness of one’s beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions; recognition that these are shaped by cultural context and other external forces. Self-awareness, including one’s inherited and positional power and privilege. Awareness of one’s impact on individuals and community, recognizing the impact of each action and inaction
Peer Advisors will be most successful if they know their own strengths and social positionality, and work to understand the strengths and social positionality of the club/org leaders they work with.

Collaboration: Working reciprocally with others. Working across differences to achieve a shared goal. Bringing multiple perspectives, diverse experiences, and individual creativity to bear on a pursuit.
This position requires working with a diverse array of advisees, and identifying ways to collaborate is essential for success in the role.

Controversy: Acknowledging conflict, controversy, and dissent as opportunities for new insight, or new direction or deeper relationships. Disagreeing with others in a spirit of curiosity and learning. Disagreeing or dissenting from the norm without dehumanizing others.
This position engages with topic matter in which there is frequent controversy. Individuals in this role will learn strategies on how to educate about and be a resource for what may be considered controversial topics.

Basics

  • Department: Student Affairs
  • Supervisor: Erin Caswell
  • Office Location: Chase Hall G10
  • Email: ecaswell@bates.edu
  • Hours: 1-4
  • Workers: 1-2

Responsibilities

Regularly collaborate with assigned Campus Life student organizations (e.g.,BCSG, Ronj, Student Newspaper, etc) to support their operations and specialized systems applying an equity and inclusion lens to all partnership efforts.
Communicate with the assigned club cohort several times a semester.
Participate in once-per-semester training sessions for club and organization leaders.
Lead or co-lead workshops as part of an emerging leadership curriculum that incorporates the tenets of the Bates Leads leadership structure and is grounded in equity, inclusion, social justice, and anti-racism.
Make recommendations to Campus Life regarding systemic issues and collaborate with Campus Life staff on strategies for implementing changes.
Maintain ongoing weekly commitments in the role, including established group meetings at least bi-weekly, typically 60–90 minutes in length.
Lead group discussions as needed to support group goals and development.
Proactively seek out information and education on unfamiliar topics in order to apply new knowledge to the work.
Assist with the creation and curation of social media content.
Support BatesEngage-related tasks, including but not limited to reviewing club constitutions and associated materials.
Support the promotion of Campus Life student spaces and related programs.

Requirements

All class years are welcome to apply; for this hiring cycle, Campus Life is especially seeking representation from the Class of 2029.

Must be passionate and knowledgeable about social justice issues, both in general and within the Bates context.
Must be organized, responsible, personable, enthusiastic, and able to work effectively with others.
Must be able and willing to work with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff.
Must be able to respond to communications (primarily email) in a timely manner, generally within 24 hours except under special circumstances.
Should have strong multitasking and time‑management skills.
Must be able to adhere to established project timelines and deadlines.
Should be comfortable speaking in front of large groups, both in person and via video conferencing.
Should have awareness of Bates social life and a strong interest in campus events and programming.

In your cover letter please include your enthusiasm or experience with Campus Life clubs and/or Campus Life student orgs (specifically BCSG, CAT, CSB, FAB, Marketing, Ronj, Student Newspaper, VCS, WRBC), as well as describe any relevant experiences or interests you have in the following areas:
Building partnerships with established groups and cultivating more diverse attendance across events and programs.
Serving as a connector for students, helping all interested students find a place within the college.
Collaboration and coordination with multiple groups or stakeholders simultaneously, including faculty and staff outreach.
Marketing, promotion, and social media, with a creative eye for messaging, visuals, and campaign ideas.
Interest in the performing arts, café culture, and other creative or cultural programming.
Journalism or writing, including experience with storytelling, newsletters, or other written communications.
Civic engagement and understanding of policy or committee work within an academic institution.
Familiarity with basic hiring practices and processes, and an interest in improving systems and procedures.
Time management, process improvement, and experience developing and leading trainings or workshops.

Reporting

The student employees will report directly to the Assistant Director for Campus Life, Erin Caswell. They will work closely with other student employees and with students involved in clubs and organizations. They may also reach out to additional other Bates community members as needed to gather information and insights related to the leadership curriculum.

Working Conditions

Mostly sitting at meetings. Personal device that can access the internet required.