Associate Director, American Indian and Indigenous Student Empowerment

About the role

Cornell University's Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) and its Centers for Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging support roughly 25,000 students across multiple campuses. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students and the Director of the LGBT Resource Center, this position is the primary point of contact for American Indian and Indigenous students. It fosters belonging, engagement, leadership development and holistic well-being, implements educational programs and works with campus partners to help students navigate their transition to Cornell. The position is on an administrator on-call rotation for after-hours crisis situations involving physical and psychological safety.

Key responsibilities

• Implement educational programs that raise awareness and collaborate with campus partners to support American Indian and Indigenous students.
• Foster student belonging, engagement, leadership development and well-being.
• Advise, train and guide student organizational leaders and student staff, helping them build self-advocacy, coalition-building and governance skills.
• Plan and run programs and workshops, and respond to student needs proactively.
• Work in a fast-paced office with diverse audiences, advocating for achievable solutions and maintaining trust.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years of full-time professional experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Essential direct experience with American Indian and Indigenous students, communities, culture and issues, and intercultural competency.
• Experience advising or working closely with students from diverse or historically marginalized populations.
• Experience with events planning and program development.
• Ability to handle confidential information and to refer students appropriately while setting boundaries.

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree in College Student Development, Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education, Educational Administration or a related field.
• 2-4 years of experience working with American Indian and Indigenous students.
• Knowledge of indigenous, native or First Nations peoples.

What we offer

• Live-in optional residence in Akwe:kon, Cornell's Indigenous program house; anticipated salary $62,400 if live-in, $74,500-$78,000 otherwise.
• Final offer depends on education, experience and qualifications.
• No visa sponsorship; occasional night and weekend hours required.