Native American Student Services Manager

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Native American Student Services Manager to join our Tribal Relations team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

Reporting to the Office of Tribal Relations, the Student Services Manager will work closely with the Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations, collaborating with Northwest Tribal Nations, Native American organizations, and CWU student services units to develop and vision and direction for creating and implementing culturally responsive pathways and retention programming to support Native American student belonging and success. The Student Services Manager will partner with CWU units across campus, serving as an expert advisor to improve policies and practices affecting Native American students.

The Student Services Manager will lead in providing holistic, culturally grounded support for American Indian and Alaska Native (Native American), students across the student lifecycle-from outreach and recruitment through graduation. Core areas of responsibility include Native American student engagement, retention programming, non-academic advising, cultural programming, tribal community and family engagement and outreach that eases the transition into higher education and fosters a welcoming campus community.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success, belonging, and institutional excellence. This position directly affects the vision, mission, and values of CWU by creating and supporting programs and an environment where students feel welcome, engaged, supported, and that they belong.

Job Duties

Native Community Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions

• Partner with Admissions to represent Native American student services and resources at orientations, preview days, and campus visits and other admissions events, as schedule allows.
• Partner with Admissions and Student Financial Services on developing recruitment and admissions strategies for first-year and transfer Native American students, including outreach to tribal schools, tribal colleges, and community events.
• Visit regional tribal communities and attend tribal conferences and gatherings (e.g., Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians) to engage prospective Native American students through workshops and outreach events and represent the university on Native American student success.
• Coordinate with Tribal Education managers and Native American organizations to support Native American student retention and college transition, and to ensure students connect with all potential resources.
• Build and sustain respectful, reciprocal partnerships with Northwest Tribal Nations, tribal education departments, tribal colleges, and Native-serving organizations.
• Establish and partner with university student service units to help Native American students access services such as advising, holistic wellness opportunities, CWU Wildcat Pantry, the CWU Multicultural Center, and other resources.

Management and Administration

• Work with Enrollment Management, Office of Undergraduate Studies, and Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning departments to collect and analyze Native American and Alaska Native student data on factors influencing engagement, retention, and graduation; prepare assessment reports and use and apply findings to strengthen programming and resources.
• Collaborate with AVP of Tribal Relations to pursue external funding, including grants and philanthropic support, to expand services for Native students.
• Serve on university committees, task forces, and strategic initiatives; collaborate with academic programs, including American Indian Studies.
• Identify institutional barriers for Native American students and work with university departments to ensure equitable policies and practices.
• Collaborate with AVP of Tribal Relations to advise leadership on policies, initiatives, and emerging issues affecting Native students.
• Serve as a campus resource and provide guidance and training on responsibilities and culturally responsive practices to foster belonging and successful college pathways for Native American students.
• Ensure services comply with FERPA regulations and maintain appropriate confidentiality.

Student Engagement and Retention Services

• Coordinate workshops and share resources that connect Native American students to campus life, cultural events, and student organizations, fostering a sense of belonging and active participation.
• Advise and support Native American student organizations and student-led initiatives.
• Provide one-on-one non-academic advising and culturally responsive support, including referrals to on-campus and off-campus resources that promote student well-being and academic success.
• Partner with the Multicultural Center to develop cultural programming that meets Native American students needs and fosters belonging, while also supporting broader MCC events.
• Coordinate and implement cultural activities during Native American Heritage Month, Indigenous Peoples Day, Native American Student Recognition, etc.

Supervisor Duties

• Actively engage in recruitment and hiring student staff
• Clearly define performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provide ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conduct formal performance evaluations
• Ensure student staff have necessary resources
• Oversee and direct the work of student staff; serve as mentor, coach, and leader, and resolve complaints or issues
• Develop and foster supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement
• Recognize and reward student staff for good performance, and provide performance coaching
• Schedule employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests
• Value and encourage diverse perspectives, creativity, and teamwork.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in Native American student services and/or a bachelors degree in related field.

• Demonstrated understanding of Native American history, cultural practices, and other factors that impact Native American college pathways, preparation, and enrollment.

• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership/management skills.

• Experience in presenting to or working with Native American students, families, and tribal communities in Washington State and/or those with their current traditional homelands in Washington State.

• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.

• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six (6) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in Native American student services and/or education, and/or a masters degree in a relevant field.
• Experience running Native American cultural programming.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.
• A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: The Hiring Departments expected hiring range is $58,000 - $65,000 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $50,830 to $71,161.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) / Occasional evenings and weekends.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: August 13, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Zo¿ Higheagle Strong

Title: Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations & Professor of Curriculum, Supervision, and Education Leadership (CSEL)

Email: zoe.higheaglestrong@cwu.edu

Phone: 509-963-1855

Website: Tribal Relations

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.