Vice President for Social Equity and Inclusion

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), known internationally as one of the leading art and design colleges, requests nominations, recommendations, and outstanding applications for its Vice President for Social Equity and Inclusion (VPSEI). RISD seeks a strategic, collaborative, and engaged leader who thinks and acts efficaciously and has the capacity to understand and appreciate the unique role that production, scholarly review, and curation of art, design, and culture play in advancing global equity and inclusion.

Recognized for its renowned faculty of artists and designers, RISD offers a breadth of specialized facilities and the intensity of its studio-based approach to learning—an approach where critical thinking informs the making of works by hand. Approximately 2,500 students from around the world study at RISD, pursuing full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in the fine arts, architecture, or design majors, complemented by essential study in the liberal arts. The mission of RISD, through the college and the RISD Museum, is to educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge, and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship, and innovation. 

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the VPSEI will be a strategic partner to the president while overseeing and guiding college-wide initiatives related to social equity and inclusion. In this role, the VPSEI will oversee the Office of Social Equity and Inclusion and will build upon foundational SEI work to develop action-oriented strategies and policies to guide the implementation and execution of solutions by setting the vision for and leading all campus initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, the VPSEI will work with key constituents to design constructive and intentional programming for the university community and serve as a strategic advisor to various campus offices, supporting students, staff, and faculty. As a highly visible leader with a strong understanding of neurodiversity, the VPSEI will help the RISD community continue to celebrate the diversity of thoughts, ideas, and perspectives to foster and promote systemic and cultural change. 

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, optimistic, and forward-thinking subject matter expert in social equity and inclusion, with a demonstrated ability to lead, collaborate, and engage empathetically across differences. A demonstrated track record of success in developing and implementing equity and inclusion strategic plans within a complex environment, commitment to the arts, and an appreciation of the creative mind are essential qualifications for the role.

Keight Tucker Kennedy is leading this search with Lehman Robinson. 

Rhode Island School of Design is an equal employment institution.

RISD is looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of the globe and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in their community. When you join the team at RISD, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at RISD, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Mission + Values, our SEI Accountability Commitments, and our Strategic Plan.