Program Manager for the Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community

About Simon’s Rock

Founded in 1860, Bard College is an international network of highly innovative and admired educational institutions grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. A division of Bard located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Bard College at Simon’s Rock is the only four-year college in the U.S. specifically designed for motivated adolescents to fully realize their academic potential by beginning college immediately after the 10th or 11th grade. BA and AA degrees are granted in over 35 areas of study. Simon’s Rock attracts a diverse student population of approximately 400 students, drawn nationally and internationally, with a significant population of students identifying as LGBTQIA+.

For over 50 years, Simon’s Rock has practiced the simple yet radical idea that many students are ready for college before the age of 18, an idea that launched the Early College movement in the United States and beyond. In 2015, Simon’s Rock launched Bard Academy, a two-year high school program for boarding and day students, with courses designed and taught by college professors and leading to entry into college after the tenth grade. In doing so, Simon’s Rock has connected high school and college in one cohesive, coherent six-year arc. In 2019, Simon’s Rock established the Early College Research Institute (ECRI), a locus for research into “what’s next” in Early College. In 2023, Simon’s Rock launched the Bard Queer Leadership Project, a B.A. degree program designed for, and by, LGBTQIA+ college students, aiming to elevate LGBTQIA+ college graduates into leadership roles in fields across the workforce.

Position Description

At Bard Academy and Bard College at Simon’s Rock, we seek a dynamic and student focused Program Manager for the Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Community (CEIC) and Queer Leadership Advocacy to provide leadership on the strategic priorities and daily operations of CEIC and to collaborate with Admissions, Communications and Marketing to develop strategies for promoting holistic student engagement and learning. The Program Manager will possess a commitment to the emotional and social development of all students, and will be a visible, engaged, and active member in the campus community. The Program Manager is a key member in the CEIC reporting directly to the Dean of Equity and Inclusion and will work collaboratively across departments to serve and strengthen all aspects of the Simon’s Rock community. 

Essential Duties

• Oversight of CEIC and operations within the building (approving room use and reservations, student events in building, maintenance requests)
• Queer Leadership outreach w/ Marketing
• Student Advocacy and support
• LGBTQIA2S+ community support (trainings, programs, etc)
• Co-Chair to Council for Inclusive Community (CIC)
• Oversight of Affinity Organizations and budget 
• Student intern supervision 
• May require some weekend and evening commitments 

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, counseling, psychology, or related field is preferred
• Experience working with diverse student, faculty, and staff populations
• Two to three years of progressively responsible experience in student advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Experience creating trainings and presenting trainings on different topics 
• Supervisory experience and ability to effectively delegate, train, and mentor professional and student staff
• Adaptability to complex work environments
• Ability to troubleshoot and utilize reasonable judgment in complex and confidential situations
• Experience with budgeting and finance
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills

This position is a full-time position with benefits. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. 

Simon’s Rock is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applications from those who contribute to our diversity, as the values of equity and inclusion are core to our institutional mission. 

To Apply

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Upload these documents to Interfolio at: http://apply.interfolio.com/125526.

No phone calls, please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About Organization

Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences with a 150-year history of academic excellence. From a 540-acre parklike campus in the Hudson River Valley, the College offers the bachelor of arts degree with concentrations in nearly 50 academic programs in four divisions: Arts; Languages and Literature; Science, Mathematics, and Computing; and Social Studies. Bard also offers dual-degree options, including a five-year B.A./B.S. degree in economics and finance and the undergraduate program at the Bard College Conservatory of Music, in which students earn both a bachelor’s degree in music and a B.A. in another field in the liberal arts or sciences.

Over the past 30 years, Bard has broadened its scope beyond undergraduate academics. The College now operates high school programs and graduate programs, and has expanded to encompass a network of regional, national, and global satellites. Bard has built such programs as the Bard Prison Initiative, which grants college degrees to New York State inmates, and the Bard High School Early Colleges, where students earn a high school diploma and an A.A. in four years. Bard’s philosophy sets a standard for both scholarly achievement and engagement in civic and global affairs on campus, while also taking the College's mission to the wider world.