Mellon Collections Education and Research Fellow

Fort Lewis College•Durango, CO

4d•$50,000 - $52,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Mellon Collections Education and Research Fellow plays an important role in advancing the Laboratory for the Humanistic Study of a More-than-Human World at Fort Lewis College. This interdisciplinary project, which is funded through a grant from the Mellon Foundation, integrates humanistic methods and Indigenous knowledge systems to foster greater understanding of the relationships among humans, non-humans, and their environments. Working collaboratively with the grant PIs, faculty, and Center of Southwest Studies (CSWS) staff, the Fellow will prioritize the development and implementation of object-based learning (OBL) projects that are grounded in a relational understanding of objects as embodiments of interconnected relationships among people, places, history, and knowledge systems. Specific Mellon-funded projects will be identified annually in consultation with the grant leadership team to ensure alignment with evolving program needs. In addition to these primary responsibilities, the Fellow will contribute to various CSWS outreach and curatorial initiatives, including exhibitions, collections research, and educational programming, leveraging the Center’s resources to enhance teaching and interdisciplinary scholarship. This position offers an early-career professional the opportunity to engage in innovative, community-informed, and interdisciplinary work while gaining hands-on experience in collections-based research, pedagogy, and public humanities. The role also requires participation in monthly Mellon grant meetings and active collaboration with campus and community partners.

Requirements

BA or MA in Anthropology, Art, Art History, Education, History, Museum Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, or related field.
One year of experience working with museum or institutional collections.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.
Evidence of excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Ability and desire to contribute to the missions of the Center of Southwest Studies and Fort Lewis College.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of experience working with museum or institutional collections.
Demonstrated knowledge of professional practices in object handling, preservation, documentation, and exhibition of 2-D and 3-D objects.
Strong community engagement skills and a desire and ability to collaborate with diverse groups.
Excellent problem solving, organizational, and project management skills.
Adept at managing multiple priorities and stakeholders to effectively meet objectives and competing deadlines.
Proficiency with collections management software.
Ability to foster a collaborative and positive working environment.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, Co-PIs, and faculty to design and implement object-based learning (OBL) initiatives.
Assist faculty in identifying and incorporating CSWS collections into grant-related curricula and research projects.
Develop pedagogical resources such as lesson plans, assignments, and interpretive materials for inclusion in the project’s open educational resource, Tirakuna: The FLC Hub for Humanistic Engagement.
Lead and support specific Mellon-funded projects identified annually in consultation with the grant leadership team.
Support undergraduate research and collaboration within the laboratory, including workshops, consultations, and mentorship activities.
Assist with the coordination of laboratory programming, including workshops, speaker events, and student engagement activities.
Hold a minimum of three office hours per week in the laboratory.
Participate in monthly Mellon team meetings.
Serve as a liaison among the grant team, faculty, students, project partners, and CSWS staff to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
Represent the initiative in campus-wide and community engagement efforts related to object-based learning and humanistic inquiry.
Document project activities and outcomes to support assessment, reporting, and long-term sustainability of grant initiatives.
Contribute to the conceptualization, planning, and implementation of exhibitions.
Conduct research related to the museum's collection and potential exhibitions.
Collaborate with Center staff on the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions, ensuring objects are handled safely and with care.
Support the Center by contributing to educational and interpretive initiatives across various platforms.
Develop and deliver educational programs, workshops, guided tours, and public presentations that promote engagement with CSWS collections.
Create interpretive material related to the Center’s collections and exhibitions, such as educational guides, gallery labels, audio guides, and catalog essays.
Track attendance figures and collect feedback from outreach and educational programs.
Serve as an active member of the CSWS team and participate in regular staff meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Mellon grant and the mission of the Center