Undocumented Student Retention Specialist

Review of applications begins 8/25/2023

The Undocumented Student Retention Specialist leads initiatives and programs supporting Western’s strategic goals in equity, excellence, and inclusion for our students. Western seeks our inaugural Undocumented Student Retention Specialist to advance the holistic thriving of diverse undocumented students and mixed status families' students through program development, outreach, education, and improvements to university policies and practices. Under the supervision and direction of the Director of Multicultural Student Services, the Undocumented Student Retention Specialist will curate and develop resources that support the academic success and well-being of undocumented and DACA students and their communities. This position will provide support and guidance to students, staff, and faculty through trainings, collaborations, and programming as we all endeavor to best support undocumented students and communities. The Undocumented Student Retention Specialist will join a growing team in the new Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Unit of our Enrollment and Student Services Division. We seek a caring and collaborative leader with strong communication skills and a proven commitment to serving undocumented students and communities.

We encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, queer and trans spectrum people, veterans, and other candidates whose identities and experiences are often underrepresented and marginalized in higher education.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Program management and resource navigation (35%)

• Manage the daily operation of the Blue Resource Center, Western’s undocumented student resource center.
• Create and implement comprehensive co-curricular programming centering undocumented identities and experiences. This programming should provide resources, support, referrals, celebration, and advocacy for undocumented students and their peers, allies, and the campus community.
• Develop new and enhance existing university resources and services for undocumented students to support their enrollment, retention, satisfaction, and completion. Collaborate and consult with departments in and beyond Enrollment and Student Services to embed appropriate resources throughout our student services.
• As assigned by the Director of Multicultural Student Services, partner with colleagues in and beyond the ADEI Unit in developing joint co-curricular programming.
• Collaborate with key university and community stakeholders to implement practices ensuring undocumented students receive needed assistance in navigating and accessing resources including, but not limited to financial, academic, career, wellness, and basic needs.
• Stay current on federal and state laws and policies, resources, and student development theory and practice regarding undocumented and mixed-status students and families at Western and in the community at large.

Supervision, engagement, and advising (30%)

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise Blue Resource Center student employees.
• Provide advising to the Blue Group and other student clubs that specifically support undocumented students. Includes liaising with Club Activities Office and faculty and staff club advisors.
• Provide direct outreach to current and prospective students. Represent the Blue Resource Center through speaking and tabling opportunities and at events including Fall Info Fair and events hosted by Admissions, University Residences, and the Counseling and Wellness Center.
• Respond to student requests for information and assistance, meeting with undocumented and DACA students to provide support related to identity exploration and development, inclusion, and academic and co-curricular success. Support students in navigating university processes and facilitate referrals to additional university and community services.
• Foster a supportive and student-centered environment to empower and equip students with skills and strategies to engage in self-advocacy.

Institutional support and guidance (25%)

• Research and share best practices with faculty, staff, and administrators to support students from undocumented communities in navigating the university and succeeding academically. Develop and implement a structure for sharing promising practices and resources with colleagues on an ongoing basis.
• Implement educational programs such as UndocuAlly trainings and Undocu Month to support the learning and education of the campus community on how to best support undocumented students and communities.

Administrative (10%)

• Ensure compliance with applicable university policies and procedures, including record retention requirements for the Blue Resource Center. Coordinate appropriate training for student staff to support compliance requirements in ways that build students leadership skills.
• Manage the Blue Resource Center budget. Operate within budget guidelines and use organization resources effectively.?Responsible for approximately $20,000 annually.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of student education records, including immigration status.
• Manage public platforms for communication and resource provision, including supervising maintenance of the Blue Resource Center section of the MSS website and Blue Resource Center social media presence to increase engagement with students.
• Participate in strategic planning for MSS and the ADEI Unit and contribute to communication and reporting about programming and services provided by the Blue Resource Center, including annual reporting.

Other duties as assigned

• Participate in division and university committees as assigned by the Director of Multicultural Student Services.
• Participate in professional development regarding access, diversity, equity, and inclusion that advances abilities to best develop and administer programs centering students with marginalized identities.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree and one year of relevant work experience in student affairs, student services, or higher education, or a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and two years of relevant work experience in student affairs, student services, or higher education, or an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience.
• Experience effectively advising students and/or young adult leaders of programs, clubs, or organizations to support student leadership development, including demonstrated success providing culturally responsive advising services to undocumented and BIPOC students.
• Demonstrated strong understanding of the history, policies, and current issues impacting students who are undocumented and who come from undocumented communities.
• Experience designing and facilitating programming and trainings that advance positive identity development and build leadership skills for students who hold multiple marginalized identities, with a specific focus on undocumented populations.
• Demonstrated ability to engage students of diverse identities in intercultural learning and dialogue.
• Experience supervising student employees.
• Strong small and large group facilitation skills and written communication skills.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Knowledge of student leadership and student development theories and their applications in practice.
• Excellent professional judgment and the ability to make decisions that align with organizational mission and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to perform job responsibilities collaboratively with colleagues and students across departments and disciplines.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a field related to job responsibilities, for example Student Affairs Administration, Education, Ethnic or Cultural Studies, or Psychology.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in multicultural services or identity-based resource centers in higher education.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in strategic assessment of programs, services, and/or student learning outcomes.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).