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.