Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist - University of Alberta, Edmonton

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Officer, Student Programs and Services, and working closely with the Manager, Advising and Engagement, the Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist is a member of the Faculty of Arts Engagement team. This in-person position is based primarily at North Campus in Edmonton and oversees two critical areas that facilitate Indigenous student success in the Faculty of Arts.

Your impact

The role encompasses specific responsibilities across student engagement, holistic advising, and strategic planning within the faculty.

• Develops, implements and maintains electronic initiatives including websites, chat rooms, message boards, e-newsletters, and blogs.
• Manages the Indigenous Student Gathering Space by stocking it with snacks and other items, keeping it clean, and providing events and activities.
• Plans and implements engagement events and cultural ceremonies in collaboration with First Peoples House, the Indigenous Student Union, and other Indigenous offices.
• Liaises with alumni and community members to provide professional development opportunities for Indigenous students.
• Provides holistic advising supports to current Indigenous Arts students and prospective students from admissions through to graduation.
• Evaluates and posts transfer credit, advises on course selection and program-specific requirements, participates in academic standing processes, and clears students for convocation.
• Schedules and monitors appointments with students identified as academically at risk to determine problems and refer them to relevant assistance.
• Supports the development of strategic plans aimed at increasing Indigenous student retention and engagement while building the Faculty of Arts Indigenous student profile.
• Works closely with the Indigenous Enrollment Management and Recruitment team and contributes an Indigenous lens to the faculty's overall student engagement strategy.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree, with Arts or Native Studies preferred.
• Two to three years of experience in post-secondary advising and/or student services preferred.
• Must be First Nations, Métis, or Inuit with a strong understanding of cultural protocols and ceremonial practices.
• Demonstrated personal experience with Indigenous practices and relational ways of knowing required to connect with Indigenous communities, schools, and students, plus familiarity with Treaty 6, 7, and 8 First Nations and Métis communities in Alberta.
• Familiarity with Indigenous Post-Secondary Institutions and transfer student processes, including post-secondary transfer articulation agreements, considered an asset.
• Strong cultural sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to speak and communicate in any Indigenous language is considered an asset.
• Experience with strategic planning and/or project management an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong public speaking skills.
• Knowledgeable in PeopleSoft Campus Solutions an asset.
• Computer proficiency in a Windows environment using MS Office applications, social media, and Google applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a large complex organization with diverse stakeholders while maintaining high levels of professionalism.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision to meet research targets, goals, and expectations.
• Knowledge of University of Alberta policies and procedures an asset.