Director, American Indian Student Services

The Division of Student Affairs at The University of New Mexico is seeking a culturally responsive and collaborative professional to lead American Indian Student Services (AISS). AISS serves as the primary student support service program for prospective and currently attending students and specializes in the creation and implementation of programmatic initiatives providing academic, cultural, and social support to ensure student success. Leading American Indian recruitment and retention efforts, developing student leadership opportunities, and strengthening partnerships with New Mexico tribal constituencies are additional components of the department's work. The individual selected for this role will provide strategic direction, consultation, and support to the university community in developing integrated approaches for best addressing the educational needs, prospects, and related concerns of American Indian/Indigenous students and allies. The AISS Director is also responsible for assisting the university in providing an environment that promotes a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere that results in greater advancement and empowerment of Native students. Direct oversight of a variety of programs and initiatives associated with American Indian/Indigenous student success and belonging; carrying out student development best practices, empirical research, and cultural knowledge; and centering student advocacy are all critical elements of the role.

UNM is a highly research-intensive (R1) Public University with an enrollment of approximately 23,000 located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with approximately 300 days of sunshine annually. At UNM, we proudly hold Hispanic Serving University status and are distinguished in enrolling among the highest percentages of American Indian students, relative to our R1 peers. UNM is an important driver of equity lifts in NM; 46% of recent graduates are of the first generation in their families to earn baccalaureate degrees.

As an employee of UNM, being a Lobo means access to a robust benefits package, access to resources, and perks from discounted event tickets to tuition remission. We foster a work-life balance through our employee wellness programs, paid parental leave, and more.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for Divisional and University-wide American Indian/Indigenous student recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation initiatives.
• Initiate and enhance campus-wide collaborative relationships and partnerships grounded in an advanced understanding and articulation of American Indian/Indigenous student needs and concerns from a wide range of intersections including but not limited to: tribal, cultural, geographic, educational, sociopolitical, historical, and social perspectives.
• Advance targeted American Indian/Indigenous recruitment and admissions initiatives in partnership with the Division of Enrollment Management focused on the continuing development of innovative and purposeful student enrollment access goals and objectives.
• Plan, allocate, and monitor overall department budget and expenditures.
• Responsible for the oversight and delegation of tasks and programmatic operations, annual planning processes, and goal setting.
• Direct supervision of all department operations and primary responsibility for hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating all professional staff, graduate student staff, and student employees.
• Implement an assessment and evaluation strategy which informs a culturally significant approach to data-driven co-curricular design.
• Management oversight of recipient selection and scholarship award processes for department endowed and non-endowed scholarship resources.

• Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Master's degree in higher education/student affairs administration, college student personnel, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience working in a higher education environment providing direct support to students and ability to demonstrate integrating diversity, inclusion, and teamwork across various groups.
• Supervisory experience of student affairs practitioners.
• Demonstrated experience and philosophy that integrates empirical research on student success and commitment to holistic student support.
• Enthusiastic attentiveness to cultural tradition and culturally responsive practices.
• Knowledge of assessment culture, practice, and analysis.
  
  

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Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit . Refer to for a definition of Regular Staff.