Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Nestled in the heart of Washington’s Puget Sound region, Tacoma is a city that effortlessly blends natural splendor with urban energy. Surrounded by towering mountains, serene waters, and the iconic silhouette of Mount Rainier, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, boating, and camping at your doorstep. Known for its livability, Tacoma thrives on a strong economy, rich cultural diversity, and a tightly knit community. It’s a place where you can create lasting impact while enjoying a lifestyle that balances adventure, opportunity, and connection.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) embodies the inclusive and forward-thinking spirit of Tacoma. Since its founding in 1965, TCC has been a leader in providing equitable access to higher education. Serving over 11,000 students, at two campuses, TCC offers more than 60 associate degrees, four applied bachelor's degrees, 24 professional certificates, as well as continuing education and corporate training. The student population reflects the community's diversity, with 51% identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), 42% receiving need-based financial aid, and 20% participating in dual enrollment programs. 

 TCC’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism is a cornerstone of its mission, vision, and values. The college has undertaken transformative EDI initiatives, achieving milestones that include:

• Anti-Racist Training: Mandatory professional development for faculty and staff to address systemic racism and foster inclusive practices.
• Policy and Curriculum Reviews: Comprehensive evaluations to ensure equity is embedded in institutional policies and academic content.
• Hiring and Workforce Diversity: Strengthened recruitment, onboarding, and pay equity processes to attract and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Student-Centered Equity Efforts: Initiating the Center for Student Advocacy and Cultural Support, fostering culturally relevant teaching practices, and designing tailored retention programs, including those still in development, to better serve students of color and other historically marginalized groups.
• Data-Driven Accountability: Implementation of disaggregated metrics to measure progress in closing equity gaps in student retention and graduation.
• Community Partnerships: Active collaboration with organizations like the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, Mi Centro, Korean Women’s Association, and local Indigenous tribes to advance equity goals and foster community engagement.

 TCC’s innovative work, though still evolving, has already achieved significant results, including enhanced campus climate survey outcomes, greater employee diversity, increased satisfaction with diversity initiatives among students and staff, and a growing sense of community and belonging on campus.

 As the Vice President of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, you will join a dedicated team committed to fostering a culture of equity and belonging. 

Responsibilities

TCC places equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging at the core of its mission and has made significant progress in advancing these values across the institution. To build upon this foundation and create an even more inclusive and equitable environment, the college seeks a strategic, forward-thinking, and visionary leader to serve as Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (VPEDI).

 The Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (VPEDI), reporting directly to the President and serving as a vital member of the college’s Leadership Team, will drive transformative efforts to embed equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into every corner of the college experience. Partnering with leadership and key stakeholders, the VPEDI will champion a vibrant campus culture where every student, faculty, and staff member feels valued, supported, and empowered to excel. In addition, this leader will oversee the college’s professional development program, fostering continuous growth and creating an environment where the entire TCC community can thrive. 

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight on matters related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), fostering a culture of belonging and respect throughout the institution.
• Supervise and mentor a team including the Director of Equity, Leadership & Development; Associate Director of EDI; Administrative Operations Coordinator; Staff Professional Development Coordinator; and Faculty Professional Development Coordinator.
• Design and lead the implementation of a comprehensive EDI strategy that aligns with the College’s mission, vision, values, and goals, creating an inclusive environment where all students, faculty, and staff thrive.
• Analyze and recommend transformative changes to policies, procedures, practices, and institutional structures to eliminate barriers and advance equitable outcomes for students and employees.
• Collaborate with academic leadership and faculty to develop and implement inclusive curricula and innovative pedagogical practices that reflect diverse perspectives and learning needs.
• Partner with Human Resources to design strategic initiatives that attract, retain, and develop a diverse and talented workforce that is representative of the student population and broader community.
• Develop and sustain comprehensive and adaptable metrics to monitor, assess, and report on the progress of EDI initiatives, drawing on data from focus groups, climate surveys, demographic analyses, and diverse quantitative and qualitative sources.
• Lead the development and execution of programs and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff that address the diverse social, educational, and professional needs of the campus community, emphasizing both EDI-focused growth—such as cultural competency and equity awareness—and broader professional skills development.
• Actively monitor legislation related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and develop and implement comprehensive strategies to ensure full compliance with all regulations and reporting requirements while proactively identifying and addressing areas for institutional improvement.
• Serve as a key member of the College Leadership Team, providing thought leadership on EDI challenges and opportunities while contributing to strategic decision-making at the executive level.
• Lead and oversee the Equity & Diversity Council, and actively participate in other college councils and committees to promote integration of EDI principles across all areas of the institution.
• Champion institutional progress by fostering innovative ideas and addressing emerging challenges that enhance the College’s ability to achieve excellence in EDI.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be an accomplished leader with a strong history of driving organizational change and a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in multifaceted environments. Their experience will include the following:

• Expertise in EDI, belonging and anti-racism: A deep understanding of EDI principles and practices, with the ability to engage and educate students, faculty, and staff while translating knowledge into actionable strategies.
• Commitment to Faculty, Staff, and Students: A track record of creating initiatives and programs that recruit, retain, and support a diverse workforce and student body, fostering professional development and inclusive environments that enhance belonging for all.
• Change Management and Organizational Leadership: Demonstrated expertise in leading transformative efforts, with a strong focus on managing change to address systemic inequities and foster inclusive cultures that embody the values of equity and diversity.
• Training and Facilitation Skills: Proven ability to design and facilitate impactful discussions, programs, and training on equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism for a range of audiences.
• Collaboration and Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build meaningful connections with diverse groups of individuals across the college community.
• Deep Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging: Demonstrates an unwavering dedication to cultivating a campus culture where all individuals—students, faculty, and staff—experience a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to thrive personally and professionally. Prioritizes the needs of underrepresented and marginalized groups, including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, non-native English speakers, and individuals with disabilities, ensuring equitable opportunities for growth and success.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in the development, implementation, and assessment of comprehensive equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) initiatives within complex organizations, preferably in higher education or a comparable setting.
• A proven track record of at least 3 years of effective supervisory experience, including building and leading diverse teams, fostering professional development, and promoting a culture of accountability.
• Proven ability to collect, analyze, and use data to inform and guide strategic planning and decision-making in support of equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.

 Preferred

• A terminal degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field.
• Significant experience working within a higher education (particularly community college) setting, with a deep understanding of its unique organizational structures, culture, and challenges.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing recruitment, retention, and professional development strategies that enhance diversity among students, faculty, and staff.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with the principles and practices of shared governance and collaborative leadership in higher education.
• Proven success in designing and implementing systemic change processes, including continuous improvement initiatives grounded in data-driven decision-making and assessment.
• Experience leading initiatives that address campus climate, fostering an inclusive environment, and managing programs that support marginalized and underrepresented populations.
• Strong background in facilitating complex and courageous conversations that address issues of systemic inequity and discrimination while achieving constructive and forward-looking outcomes.
• Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying policies, laws, and regulations related to equity and diversity, such as Title IX, ADA, Affirmative Action, and other civil rights laws.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, including internal and external community members, to advance EDIB priorities. 

• A visionary and strategic thinker who can effectively articulate and execute a compelling vision for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated cultural competence, emotional intelligence, and ability to lead with empathy in diverse and multicultural environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, consensus, and strong relationships across varying constituencies, including students, faculty, staff, and external community members.
• A collaborative and inclusive leader who inspires, motivates, and fosters a positive and equitable workplace and learning environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a demonstrated capacity to address challenges with creativity and innovation.
• Commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability in leadership practices.
• An adaptable and resilient leader who can effectively manage change, navigate complex organizational dynamics, and respond to emerging challenges with agility and foresight.

All complete applications received by the priority consideration date will be reviewed by a screening committee.  

Application Materials & Procedure
Complete application packages must include the following.

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Resume & cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications. 
3. Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.
4. Tacoma Community College is committed to eliminating barriers and systems of oppression so we may serve all learners AND support each other as colleagues. We strive to be an anti-racist institution and value compassion, respect, and continuous improvement. A critical component of this is the understanding that the work of establishing, cultivating, and championing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) belongs to all employees. Please share with us, in an attached statement (maximum two pages), how your experiences and understanding of EDI will contribute to, foster, and support this crucial work here at TCC.

Timetable - The priority consideration deadline is January 25, 2025. The selection process will begin in mid-February, to identify and onboard a candidate by July or August 2025.