Job Description

Assistant/Associate Director of Arts & Cultural Programming


Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center




Job Summary


Assist in the development, implementation, coordination, and assessment of education programs, services, and activities for the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) that educate and promote a campus-wide understanding of Black history, contributions, and issues/challenges of importance to Black communities with an emphasis on highlighting the arts. Assist with advising and providing leadership training for Black students and student groups.

Assistant

Director Duties


Supervision

Serve as the co-supervisor for the BNAACC Interns. Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, training, teaching, supervision, and evaluation of student interns. Provide professional learning experiences (leadership retreats/trainings) that enable student interns to develop the personal and professional skills needed to thrive in a diverse society. In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director may assume responsibility and provide management for BNAACC operations. Advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters (e.g. identity exploration) and provide appropriate recommendations and referrals. Determine appropriate course of action and proper technique to utilize while engaging with students in problem solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills.

Cultural Programming & Workshops

Develop and lead culturally responsive, interdisciplinary programs that promote student success and global awareness. Design and facilitate workshops and training for students and campus stakeholders on equity, advocacy, and community engagement. Oversee Food For The Soul weekly lunch-and-learn sessions, creating programs that foster belonging and support diverse student experiences. Coordinate First Fridays, a monthly forum promoting wellness, creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. Chair the Black History Month Committee, managing the campus-wide calendar and guiding collaborative programming aligned with the national theme. Partner with La Casa Cultural Latina to co-advise the Black and Latinx Summit planning committee. Develop educationally transformative programs that result in awareness of and appreciation for the importance and intersectionality of Black cultures, global connectivity, and solidarity.

Support Where Black Media Lives (WBML)

Assist with student recruitment and engagement for WBML initiatives. Help maintain connections with campus organizations and community partners under guidance from senior staff. Follow campus policies and broadcasting standards during production activities. Provide basic support for podcast development, such as organizing resources and scheduling. Participate in training sessions and help students learn podcasting basics. Offer ideas and light feedback on podcast concepts when requested. Assist with editing tasks and help ensure episodes meet quality standards.

Campus and Community Outreach & Engagement


Advise and oversee the Shelley Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and managing a team of up to 30 student volunteers who assist with prospective and admitted student visits. Serve as BNAACC's primary point of contact for outreach efforts; coordinate, organize, and attend campus resource fairs, off-campus presentations, and special weekend programs. Collaborate with the Admissions Office to plan and organize 2 Admitted Student Days that showcase BNAACC's programs, resources, and impact.

Administrative



Maintain and update BNAACC communications, including, but not limited to, the website, digital signage, and social media platforms. Collaborate with the main campus library to preserve documentation and digital archives showcasing the legacy of the Black community at Illinois (e.g., program flyers, marketing materials, photos, videos) within the university's student life archives. Reconcile expenses and ensure accurate financial tracking for related programs and initiatives. Assist with semesterly reporting and provide data to support assessment and planning. Perform other duties as assigned.

Associate

Director Duties


Supervision



Serve as the Co-supervisor for the BNAACC Interns. Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, training, teaching, supervision, and evaluation of student interns. Provide professional learning experiences (leadership retreats/trainings) that enable student interns to develop the personal and professional skills needed to thrive in a diverse society. In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director may assume responsibility and provide management for BNAACC operations. Advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters (e.g. identity exploration) and provide appropriate recommendations and referrals. Determine appropriate course of action and proper technique to utilize while engaging with students in problem solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills.

Cultural Programming & Workshops



Develop and lead culturally responsive, interdisciplinary programs that promote student success and global awareness. Design and facilitate workshops and training for students and campus stakeholders on equity, advocacy, and community engagement. Oversee Food For The Soul weekly lunch-and-learn sessions, creating programs that foster belonging and support diverse student experiences. Coordinate First Fridays, a monthly forum promoting wellness, creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. Chair the Black History Month Committee, managing the campus-wide calendar and guiding collaborative programming aligned with the national theme. Partner with La Casa Cultural Latina to co-advise the Black and Latinx Summit planning committee. Develop educationally transformative programs that result in awareness of and appreciation for the importance and intersectionality of Black cultures, global connectivity, and solidarity.


Oversee Where Black Media Lives (WBML)

Provide full oversight of student recruitment and engagement for WBML initiatives. Build and maintain relationships with campus organizations, local artists, and community leaders, serving as a liaison between BNAACC and the broader arts community. Ensure compliance with all campus policies and broadcasting standards throughout the production process. Secure necessary tools and resources to support every stage of podcast development, from concept to final production. Develop a podcasting curriculum and deliver training for students interested in hosting podcasts. Provide creative input and constructive feedback on podcast concepts, scripts, and production plans. Manage editing and ensure quality of final podcast episodes.

Campus and Community Outreach & Engagement



Advise and oversee the Shelley Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and managing a team of up to 30 student volunteers who assist with prospective and admitted student visits. Serve as BNAACC's primary point of contact for outreach efforts; coordinate, organize, and attend campus resource fairs, off-campus presentations, and special weekend programs. Collaborate with the Admissions Office to plan and organize 2 Admitted Student Days that showcase BNAACC's programs, resources, and impact. Co-advise the affiliated RSO group (BLOC) and lead monthly meetings to support student engagement and organizational success.

Administrative



Maintain and update BNAACC communications, including, but not limited to, the website, digital signage, and social media platforms. Collaborate with the main campus library to preserve documentation and digital archives showcasing the legacy of the Black community at Illinois (e.g., program flyers, marketing materials, photos, videos) within the university's student life archives. Reconcile expenses and ensure accurate financial tracking for related programs and initiatives. Assist with semesterly reporting and provide data to support assessment and planning. Perform other duties as assigned.




Additional Physical Demands


Some evenings and weekends are required as needed.
Assistant Director - Minimum Qualifications


Education:

Bachelor's degree.
Experience:

A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience in cultural, social, educational and/or social justice programs focused on Black students, staff, and/or faculty. Demonstrated experience in arts education and administration, such as digital, auditory, visual, literary, and/or performing arts.

Assistant Director - Preferred Qualifications


Experience:

Experience developing community and public outreach & engagement programs. Demonstrated success and ability to work/collaborate as a contributing member in a team-oriented environment with an understanding of the larger unit and University contexts. This includes collaborating with colleagues and non-University key partners.

Assistant

Director - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent relationship building skills, as well as the desire and ability to motivate, mentor and encourage students. Ability to demonstrate a high level of cultural community care. Good independent judgment, initiative, and flexibility to adapt to students' and center's operational needs. Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy. Ability to demonstrate empathy, problem-solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to think creatively and show initiative to solve problems and improve working procedures. Specific knowledge (history, culture, identities, etc.) of Black communities.

Associate

Director - Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree.
Experience:

A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in cultural, social, educational and/or social justice programs focused on Black students, staff, and/or faculty. Demonstrated experience in arts education and administration, such as digital, auditory, visual, literary, and/or performing arts. Supervisory experience. Experience providing staff training and leadership development.

Associate

Director - Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree in higher education administration, college student personnel, Media, the creative arts or related field.


Experience:

Experience managing and/or creating media arts and associated trainings/curriculums. Comfort and familiarity of podcasting, streaming and on-demand listening. Basic knowledge of audio, including research and analytics. Experience developing community and public engagement programs. Demonstrated success and ability to work/collaborate as a contributing member in a team-oriented environment with an understanding of the larger unit and University contexts. This includes collaborating with colleagues and non-University key partners. Professional experience advising and creating leadership development opportunities for students and/or organizations.

Associate Director - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Creative with strong project and time management abilities, including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Excellent relationship building skills, as well as the desire and ability to motivate, mentor and encourage students. Ability to demonstrate a high level of cultural community care. Good independent judgment, initiative, and flexibility to adapt to students' and center operational needs. Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy. Ability to demonstrate empathy, problem-solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to think creatively and show initiative to solve problems and improve working procedures. Specific knowledge (history, culture, identities, etc.) of Black communities.

Appointment Information



This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 3/16/2026. The budgeted salary range for the Assistant Director is $56,000 to $62,000 and the Associate Director is $71,000 to $76,000.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.



Application Procedures & Deadline Information



Applications must be received by

6:00 pm (Central Time) on Monday, January 12, 2026

. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please make sure to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references when applying. Additionally, if you have your transcripts please upload those as well. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Keri Collins at keric@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.



This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.



The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.



Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID

: 1033762

Job Category

: Professional and Administrative

Apply at:

https://jobs.illinois.edu