Senior Coordinator Am. Indian Circle Program

The Senior Coordinator for the American Indian Circle Program supports American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) student success by providing holistic academic and personal services that imitate the family‑centered orientation of tribal life. The program builds initiatives, resources, and experiences that help cultivate a deeper cultural footprint during students’ college experience. It is designed to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and the greater community to support the overall mission of Northern State University and contribute to the personal and academic success of all AI/AN students at NSU. The director facilitates opportunities to celebrate and educate campus on Native American traditions; advocates for the continued needs of American Indian/Alaska Native students; and supports retention and student success.

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

• Plan, implement, and evaluate the American Indian Circle Program, ensuring alignment with Northern State University’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Assess the effectiveness of the program through data collection; adjust services as necessary to improve outcomes.
• Foster a sense of belonging among AI/AN students and strengthen the cultural competency of the NSU community.
• Provide staff development sessions.
• Collaborate with university faculty and staff, tribal colleges, and regional communities; strengthen relationships with American Indian/Alaska Native tribes, communities, and organizations to create partnerships that support students.
• Serve as a liaison with other SD BOR institutions to advocate for AI/AN student success.

Program Operations

• Execute and oversee core programs of the American Indian Circle Program including the Cangleska Waste pre‑orientation, scholarship recognition, and graduation Feathering celebration.
• Establish an active learning community for participants and a robust peer‑mentoring program.
• Support Enrollment Services in recruitment efforts and orientation programming.
• Engage faculty and campus partners to support academic programs – including the Native Studies Minor; referrals; and experiential learning.
• Chair the American Indian Advisory Committee and serve on various campus committees to advocate for and support students.
• Serve as a liaison to the Native American Student Association (NASA); assist with cultural events, workshops, and activities that celebrate Native American history, culture, and traditions.

Resource Management

• Assist with the preparation and management of department budgets.
• Collaborate with the NSU Foundation (NSUF) to build and allocate scholarships and initiatives that support AI/AN students.
• Oversee department funding for programming, scholarships, and student services.
• Facilitate tribal higher education financial aid and related workshops in partnership with financial aid.

Personnel Leadership and Supervision

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate peer mentors and graduate assistant(s).
• Collaborate with other Student Success Center partners for mentor training and annual CRLA certification.

Academic Advising Responsibilities

• Serve as an academic advisor to a caseload of assigned students.
• Provide personalized academic advising and support from time of acceptance to graduation, including implementation of stop‑out program.
• Utilize technology resources, including Navigate360, Self‑Services Banner (SSB), and Degree Works to empower students to take ownership of their degree plans.
• Apply academic coaching and success strategies; monitor academic progress and facilitate academic recovery initiatives.
• Outreach to students about course planning, registration timelines, related dates, and other essential academic information.

Additional Duties

• Ensure effective oversight of the American Indian Circle Program.
• Other tasks to support student retention and graduation.

Qualifications

• Direct experience in teaching and/or mentoring American Indian/Alaska Native students.
• Experience working with students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Strong organizational, communication, and technology skills required.
• Proven ability to design, manage, and assess effective academic support services.
• Ability to work effectively with other people, collaborate with other departments, and advocate for student support.
• Master’s degree in education, counseling, social work, or related fields required.
• Previous experience working with the American Indian culture.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; sponsorship not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Northern State University is committed to building a welcoming culture of belonging and collegiality that respects diversity in knowledge, culture and world view. Northern seeks faculty and staff who will engage with individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives to increase awareness, understanding, respect and opportunity for all.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

Physical requirements include balancing, carrying, climbing stairs, fine finger manipulation, lifting light, repetitive motion, sitting for sustained periods, standing for sustained periods, using both hands, walking, and wrist movement (twisting or rotating). Sensory requirements include hearing, speaking, and vision (with and without corrective lenses). The position may involve working in environments that require sustained physical activity and use of sensory faculties as described above.