Native Student Advocate

American Indian College Fund•Denver, CO

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Native Student Advocate is a newly created role within the Student Success Services (SSS) team at the American Indian College Fund. This position is dedicated to serving Native students attending Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and mainstream colleges and universities nationwide. The Advocate will act as a responsive, knowledgeable, and culturally grounded resource for Native students, particularly in the face of institutional challenges such as the elimination of DEI initiatives or Native student support centers. This position emphasizes both individualized student support and the creation of system-wide tools and strategies to enhance Native student well-being, persistence, and empowerment.

Requirements

Deep understanding of the barriers and opportunities Native students face in higher education
Strong interpersonal and active listening skills
Ability to build trust with students and diverse stakeholders
Experience in student support, academic advising, case management, or similar roles
Strong problem-solving, referral, and advocacy skills
Excellent verbal and written communication
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
Organizational and time management skills to balance multiple student needs
Cultural humility and commitment to equity and Native student success
Willingness and ability to travel occasionally
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort with virtual platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Native American Studies, Student Affairs, Social Work, or related field required; master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 3 years of experience working with Native students or Native communities, preferably in a higher education or support services setting.
Deep understanding of Native student experiences in both tribal and mainstream college environments.
Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous values, cultural knowledge, and advocacy.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create accessible, culturally relevant resources.
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Willingness to travel occasionally for events, site visits, or trainings.

Nice To Haves

Experience building partnerships or advocating within college/university systems.
Knowledge of federal and state programs that support Native students.
Familiarity with restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, or anti-racist approaches to student support.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advocate and point of contact for Native students experiencing academic, social, financial, cultural, or wellness-related challenges.
Provide individualized guidance, resource referrals, and support in situations such as job or internship loss, race-related campus incidents, or the removal of campus-based Native support services.
Maintain confidential records of student needs, referrals, and follow-ups to ensure continuity of support.
Build and maintain a comprehensive directory of resources available to Native students—ranging from academic aid and housing assistance to legal services and mental health supports.
Develop student-facing guides, toolkits, and “how-to” resources, including: How to advocate for oneself or others on campus How to organize a student group How to navigate college systems without dedicated Native support centers How to access external supports when on-campus services are lacking
Create step-by-step support plans for students whose internships, jobs, or educational opportunities have been unexpectedly disrupted.
Cultivate relationships with staff and faculty across TCUs and mainstream colleges to increase visibility of Native student needs and identify supportive allies.
Represent the College Fund in outreach to institutions where Native programming is being cut or reorganized.
Engage in strategic campus visits and attend conferences and convenings to connect with Native students and partners.
Monitor and track trends in campus policy and programming affecting Native students, especially in contexts where DEI or Native support services are being reduced or removed.
Share key findings with internal teams to inform broader strategy, advocacy, and response efforts.