Director for LGBTQ+ Support and Success

Reporting to the Dean of Students in the Division for Student Success, the Director for LGBTQ+ Support and Success champions an inclusive, affirming environment where LGBTQ+ students at Roanoke College feel seen, respected, and empowered. In alignment with Roanoke’s commitment to a “student-ready, student-first” culture, the Director provides leadership, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ students, fostering their sense of belonging and well-being. Through targeted programming, mentorship, and collaboration, the Director advances Roanoke’s strategic priorities, ensuring LGBTQ+ students and allies have meaningful opportunities for connection and growth. As a key advocate, the Director partners with students, faculty, and staff to create a visible, empathetic network of support integrated across campus, centering the LGBTQ+ community in initiatives that promote academic, personal, and community success.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an active member of the Dean of Students Office, prioritizing advocacy, support, and care for students, with a specific focus on LGBTQ+ students.
• Work closely with the Sr. Advisor to the President for Belonging, Inclusion, and Title IX, ensuring alignment with the institution’s strategic plan for inclusion and belonging, the College’s strategic imperatives and values, as articulated in Imagine Roanoke: A Strategic Plan for Roanoke College and the 21st-Century Learner, and ELCA’s “Rooted and Open".
• Participate actively in college-wide events, such as open houses, summer orientation, and college traditions to welcome and support LGBTQ+ students from their first introduction to campus.
• Working closely with faculty partners, provide leadership for Mosaic Affinity House, a gender-inclusive living-learning community dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community and well-being among LGBTQ+ students and allies.
• Contribute to division-wide assessments focused on student engagement and learning outcomes, leveraging insights to enhance the LGBTQ+ student experience.
• Collaborate with student organizations, faculty, and colleagues across the Division of Student Success to create initiatives and programs that foster a campus climate where LGBTQ+ students and allies feel valued and supported.
• Design Roanoke-specific trainings for faculty, staff, and students to deepen understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and ally ship.
• Develop a visible network of trained allies and advocates on campus who actively support LGBTQ+ students, making support both accessible and tangible.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications, Academic Affairs, and others to produce materials for faculty and staff on best practices for creating welcoming and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ students.
• Curate a robust online presence for LGBTQ+ resources and services, ensuring students can access information easily.
• Advocate for inclusive campus policies and practices with a focus on LGBTQ+ students’ well-being, safety, and belonging.
• Establish and sustain partnerships with local community organizations to provide additional resources and support for LGBTQ+ students, extending Roanoke’s commitment to inclusion beyond campus.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of Students and the Vice President for Student Success and the Roanoke Experience, contributing to the college's overarching mission to be “student-ready, student-first” and fostering an inclusive environment for all students.

Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• A Master’s degree or higher in a related field (such as social justice, post-secondary education, sociology, or social anthropology).
• A passion for students and the transformational power of education.
• Demonstrated understanding of LGBTQ+ identity development, intersectionality, and the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students.
• Knowledge of relevant literature, current trends, and best practices in LGBTQ+ student belonging and support and creating inclusive campus environments.
• Significant experience supporting LGBTQ+ students through advocacy, programming, and community building within higher education.
• Proven ability to design and implement programs that foster student belonging, retention, and holistic well-being, particularly for marginalized student populations.
• At least three years of experience in creating inclusive, affirming spaces and developing programs that support LGBTQ+ student success.
• Strong skills in working across departments and engaging effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• At least three years of experience in supervising student staff, with excellent organizational skills for managing multiple initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities; experience supervising and mentoring student staff; capacity to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize effectively.
  

About Roanoke College

Roanoke College is a place where every student who works hard has the opportunity to succeed. We champion potential, providing essential learning and leadership through innovative academic programs and transformative educational experiences, giving students the mettle, mindset, and empathy to pursue lives of purpose, build meaningful careers, and meet society’s most pressing needs. Located in scenic Salem, Virginia, Roanoke College is an intimate, welcoming community that has served the local region and beyond for nearly 200 years. Now, we’re building on momentum and offering a Roanoke experience for today’s students and a legacy that belongs to every Maroon.

Roanoke College is a nationally ranked residential liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran Church (ELCA), located in the beautiful Roanoke Valley of Virginia. A Phi Beta Kappa institution, Roanoke College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its faculty, staff, and students; women and members of under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply.