University of Washington – Intellectual House Director Position is now open for applications

The UW has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of the Intellectual House! The mission of the Intellectual House, a facility modeled on a traditional Northwest Coast longhouse, is to create a space for and nurture relationships with American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nations students to ensure their academic success. In service of this mission, the Director relies on vision, leadership, diplomacy, and a team approach to guide strategic planning, communication, and implementation of initiatives.

Through programs and services and in partnership with units across and beyond the campus, the Intellectual House serves as a hub in providing education, leadership, and cultural experiences for American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nations students and the broader campus community. Fundamental to this work is building relationships with the Coast Salish peoples of this land and its presence ensures that American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nations perspectives continue to enrich the learning environment of the University of Washington.

The Director provides leadership, management, and oversight of the Intellectual House, which serves as a primary resource, facility, and place of connection for American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nation students and communities. The Intellectual House Director reports to the Vice President for Minority Affairs and Diversity with dual reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Success.

Beyond the walls of the Intellectual House, the Director is also charged with developing the relationships necessary to promote a robust campus-wide culture of support and connection for American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nations students in their educational, cultural, artistic, leadership development, mental health, and other needs.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Promoting Student Success & Engagement

• Create programming in collaboration with the American Indian and Alaska Native groups and units on campus, including the Department of American Indian Studies, the Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies, the Native American Law Center, the Indigenous Wellness Center, and First Nations at UW student group, The Graduate School Graduate Student Equity and Excellence, and other groups;
• Collaborate with the leadership and staff of the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) and Student Activities Office (SAO) on policies, procedures, and issues relevant to American Indian, Alaska, and First Nations Native student organizations and their activities;
• Work closely with Student Life staff on issues that impact the social and cultural success of American Indian and Alaska Native and diverse students on campus;
• Work with the Intellectual House Assistant Director in evaluating and assessing programmatic impact through student satisfaction surveys, tracking of student use of facilities and resources, and attend conferences to share and learn about best practices, and develop reports for inclusion in the literature focusing on American Indian and Alaska Native centers.
• Develop relationships with American Indian and Alaska Native students and staff.

Program Administration & Operations:

• Develop policy and strategy for short- and long-term planning in consultation with the Vice President for Minority Affairs and Diversity and the Associate Vice President for Student Success and provide effective leadership for the Intellectual House staff and the implementation of operational goals;
• Ensure that the Native American Advisory Board works effectively with the Vice President for Minority Affairs and Diversity, tribal representatives, students, staff, and faculty to foster collaborative and productive relationships;
• Plan and convene the University President’s annual Tribal Leadership Summit in collaboration with Tribal leaders, the Director of Tribal Relations, and appropriate campus officials and staff;
• Interface with Tribal Nations, American Indian and Alaska Native focused agencies and organizations as it relates to student recruitment, retention, and success;
• Supervise daily operations of the Intellectual House program and staff, and work with the Intellectual House Assistant Director in ensuring efficient use of resource

Fiscal Management & Planning:

• Manage, monitor, prepare, present and implement the annual budget, requiring finance and statistical analysis;
• Develop an annual budget proposal for the Services and Activities Fee Committee;
• Write and assist with internal and external funding proposals related to American Indian and Alaska Native students and leadership development and success;
• Work collaboratively with campus committees and the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity to facilitate the fundraising, construction, and program development for Phase 2 of the longhouse-style learning center on the Seattle campus;
• Work closely and in consultation with the University’s Capital and Space Planning Office for facility and project planning, construction, repair projects, and long-term capital planning discussions.
Other duties as assigned

Lead Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate the Intellectual House administrative functions;
• Oversee and manage a budget with periodic assessments, adjustments, and recommendations;
• Supervise daily operations of the Intellectual House program and staff and ensure efficient use of resources;
• Coordinate and work collaboratively with the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Fiscal Office on short- and long-term budget strategies
• Develop strategies for short- and long-term planning with the Associate Vice President for Minority Affairs and Diversity and provide effective leadership for the Intellectual House staff and the implementation of operational plans.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise two full-time professional staff and oversee student staff

Required Qualifications and Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree in American Indian/Native American/Indigenous Studies, Education or related field and 4 -5 years
• Experience working with undergraduate and graduate students.
• Experience in student services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of American Indian and Alaska Native people and tribal sovereignty issues;
• Prior experience working directly with Indigenous people and/or communities
• Administrative experience managing budgets, developing and implementing programs, and working collaboratively with other leaders.

Desired Education, Work Experience:

• Experience in higher education with a Master’s Degree or higher in American Indian/Native American/Indigenous Studies or Education/Policy Studies;
• Experience working collaboratively with tribal governments, students, faculty, staff, and other college/university and community constituents;
• Demonstrated knowledge of American Indian and Alaska Native education policies and practices, particularly issues related to American Indian and Alaska Native faculty and/or student recruitment and retention;
• Experience managing a building/facility;
• Prior knowledge and experience working with tribal communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm