Description
Director, Nyumburu Cultural Center
Job Requisition #: JR104623
CAMPUS/COLLEGE INFORMATION
The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Nyumburu Cultural Center has served the UMD community since 1971 and continues to build on its foundations. The mission of the Nyumburu Cultural Center is to promote an understanding of and appreciation for African-American Culture in all of its richness and complexity. In carrying out its mission, the Nyumburu Cultural Center strives to provide opportunities and support for all students interested in African and African-American history and culture; to foster greater involvement by students in campus programs and initiatives; to instill in students an informed awareness of and appreciation for African-American, Caribbean, and African heritages; and to improve retention and graduation rates for all students. In the various events and activities it sponsors, the Center also acknowledges, recognizes and solicits contributions of other heritages. As a unit of Belonging & Community at UMD, the Nyumburu Cultural Center works in close partnership and collaboration with all units within Belonging.
The director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center is responsible for overall strategic leadership and vision, operations, financial stewardship, programming, assessment, and ongoing campus community and external outreach of the Nyumburu Cultural Center, including staff supervision and facility oversight. The director seeks collaborative partnerships with campus partners internal and external to Belonging & Community. The director ensures effective signature programming occurs and that programming efforts have a direct connection to the academic support, retention, and graduation of students at the University of Maryland (UMD).
Operationally, the position manages the Center’s fiscal resources including state funds, grants, foundation accounts, and scholarships. The director serves as a spokesperson for the Center, and cultivates vital relationships and partnerships with alumni, donors, and local K-12 partners to advance fundraising, expand marketing communications, and support university-wide collaborative initiatives. The director serves on and/or leads internal committees. This position is supervised by the assistant vice president for belonging.
Led by the vice president for belonging, the following are functions in the Belonging & Community at UMD portfolio: Americans with Disabilities Act, Bias Incident Support Services, Equal Employment Opportunity, LGBTQ+ Equity Center, Nyumburu Cultural Center, Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct, Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education, and TerrapinSTRONG Education.
Physical Demands: Sedentary work performed in an office environment. Regularly required to attend meetings, events, etc. both on and off campus. Ability to travel both domestic and international. Regularly required to communicate and exchange information and to use technology/devices. Ability to attend events, meetings, and training after normal business hours. Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands. Ability to transport and/or deliver items and supplies.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION
To learn more about this position, the minimum qualification and preferred qualifications, please see full position description.
VISA SPONSORSHIP, APPLICATIONS, NOMINATIONS, BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Visa Sponsorship: UMD will not sponsor the successful candidate for work authorization in the United States now or in the future.
Interested individuals must submit an online application consisting of a letter of interest/cover letter, resume, and names with contact information for three (3) references to be considered.
The best consideration date for this position is September 5, 2026.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of background checks (i.e., CPS and standard background checks).
All applications will be treated in strict confidence. The identity of applicants will be kept confidential and references will not be contacted unless and until individuals reach the finalist stage of the search process and have given consent.
EEO Statement: The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
