Job Description

UMN Morris is federally recognized as a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) â“ the only NASNTI university in the upper Midwest. Just 1-2% of college students in Minnesota and nationally, over 300 Native American students comprise about 30% of the UMN Morris student body, Most Native students are from Dakota and Anishinaabe Nations, with 70 Tribal Nations, Alaska Native Villages, and First Nations represented on campus.

The Native American Student Success (NASS) Associate Director is a key leader in two US Department of Education funded projects - Pathways to Success: Cooperative Program Development Between UMN Morris and Minnesota's Tribal and Community Colleges and Fostering Native American Student Educational Equity & Attainment at UMN Morris. The position works with colleagues to facilitate the projectsâ™ plans of operations and to assess, enhance, and document their impact. The Associate Director leads efforts contributing to a welcoming campus environment where Native American cultures, histories, and lifeways are reflected and valued and students thrive. 

This is an administrative professional appointment, UMN 9703AC, Student Services Professional 3. The position is available with a NASS Associate Director title and responsibilities commensurate with the successful candidateâ™s background and experience. This position is supported by US Department of Education NASNTI funds through September 2025; UMN Morris and collaborating partners intend to seek NASNTI 2025 funding to further this work through Sept. 2030. 

Project management and leadership: Pathways to Success (.75 FTE) 

• Co-lead project teams in the implementation of new pathways for transfer students from tribal and community colleges to earn BA degrees at UMN Morris.
• Lead and co-lead team meetings, facilitate planning for project components, manage project budgets, and guide work outcomes to successfully implement the plan of operation. Ensure good planning, communication, and utilization of culturally relevant practices.
• Collaborate with the Student Success Center and the Transfer Student Services team in building and guiding support for new and continuing transfer students. 
• Supervise Transfer Pathway Navigators. Work with the navigator(s) in hiring, training, and supervising transfer peer mentor(s) and a project assistant coordinating with other NASS staff.
• For ADs with master's degrees, teach agreed upon Interdisciplinary Studies course(s) (e.g., IS 3002: Transfer Semester Experience); assist students with course selection, working closely with the Student Success Center; provide success and recovery coaching.
• Oversee a modest plan for transfer student programming (Tuesday lunch meetups, etc.), in collaboration with Student Success Center initiatives.
• Lead the development and piloting of a Transfer Pathway summer bridge program.
• Act as a resource for colleagues on tribal college collaboration and Native American student success. Coordinate professional development, immersion learning, and workshops. 
• Advance a welcoming environment for Native American and low income students by participating in campus governance, committees, programming, and initiatives.
• Lead collaborative efforts to anticipate, prevent, and resolve challenges inherent in program development and system change efforts with skill, creativity, and cultural sensitivity. 
• Lead project documentation, assessment efforts, and annual performance reporting areas..

Project management and leadership: Fostering Native American Student Educational Equity & Attainment (.25 FTE) 

• Assist in implementing NASS First Year Experience project components/ plan of operation (e.g., Gateway collaboration, NASS Extended Welcome Program, Morris 1101)
  • Participate in New Student Orientation and Welcome Week; assist new students with course selection; present workshops.
  • For ADs with masters degrees, teach agreed upon Interdisciplinary Studies course(s) such as Gateway IS 1051 summer bridge components and a Native-centric section of IS 1101: Morris 1101 transition course; coordinate with other instructors and peer mentors.
  • Serve as a success coach for Morris 1101 students in their first year and beyond.
• Assist in and support the hiring and training student staff.
• Assist students in achieving their goals utilizing intrusive and appreciative advising practices and intervention strategies. Partner with others to ensure that students access resources for learning and success. Serve as an academic recovery coach for designated students, Log student contacts, success plans, referrals and follow-up. 
• Support assessment activities and initiative enhancements to ensure services contribute to studentsâ™ learning, community building, academic success, retention, and graduation.

Required qualifications:  

• Bachelorâ™s degree plus at least 4 years of relevant experience or Masterâ™s degree and 2 years of relevant experience. (Masters degree required for teaching responsibilities; Education in Native American/Indigenous Studies, Student Affairs, Education, or related fields preferred.) 
• Experience working with Native American students, low-income students and/or students from other underrepresented populations. 
• Experience in an educational setting and knowledge of college programs. 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to diverse student populations and the ability to contribute to the Universityâ™s commitment to a diverse, inclusive learning environment.

Preferred qualifications: 

• Masters degree or doctoral degree
• Training in college educational success and retention strategies for disadvantaged populations.
• Experience with and knowledge about programs supporting Native American college success.
• 2+ years of professional experience coaching, mentoring, and/or supporting college students.
• Teaching experience.
• Cultural knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about Native American studentsâ™ support needs and build programs reflecting and valuing Native cultures, histories, and lifeways. 
• Background that includes overcoming barriers similar to those of participants.

About University of Minnesota Morris

The University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) provides a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship.As a public land-grant institution, UMM is a center for education, culture, and research for the region, nation, and world. UMM is committed to outstanding teaching, dynamic learning, innovative faculty and student scholarship and creative activity, and public outreach. Our residential academic setting fosters collaboration, diversity, and a deep sense of community.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Morris

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