Center Director (ina haws; Diversity & Cultural Engagement)

Center Director (ina haws; Diversity & Cultural Engagement)

Oregon State University

Department: Diversity/Cultural Engag (MSE)

Appointment Type: Professional Faculty

Job Location: Corvallis

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000

Job Summary:

The department of Diversity & Cultural Engagement is seeking a Center Director (ina haws; Diversity & Cultural Engagement). This is a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, professional faculty position.

Diversity & Cultural Engagement (DCE ), a department within the Division of Student Affairs, serves as a connecting hub for identity-affirming community and belonging for students at Oregon State University (OSU ).

DCE is comprised of eight programs — the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center, Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, Centro Cultural César Chávez, Ettihad Cultural Center, kaku-ixt mana ina haws, Pride Center, Hattie Redmond Women & Gender Center, and SOL : LGBTQ+ Multicultural Support Network — and provides:

• Cultural connections

• Cultural resource centers that are soft places to land and foster possibilities

• Transformation through learning, leadership, and relationships

Reporting to the Director of DCE , the kaku-ixt mana ina haws Center Director provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the kaku-ixt mana ina haws (kimih/ina haws). One of seven cultural resource centers at Oregon State University, ina haws focuses on Indigenous people of the Americas and Pacific Islands. The Center Director is responsible for cultivating an inclusive, welcoming, and affirming environment where Indigenous identities, cultures, sovereignty, and histories are honored and celebrated and all students are welcome and invited to participate and learn. This role is central to fostering student belonging, academic success, and holistic well-being by providing culturally relevant programs, advocacy, and support services.

The Center Director oversees the daily operations of the center, including student staff supervision, budget management, programming, and community engagement. They serve as a collaborator in building connections between students, campus partners, Tribal nations, and community partners to expand opportunities for Indigenous students and enhance institutional awareness and accountability. By aligning ina haws initiatives with Diversity & Cultural Engagement (DCE ) and OSU’s broader strategic priorities, and the Office of Institutional Diversity’s Diversity Action Plan the Center Director plays a key role in advancing access, retention, and graduation outcomes with a focus on Indigenous and other minoritized and underserved students.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

• Top 1.4% university in the world

• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

• 7 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

• 217k+ alumni worldwide

• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

• Retirement savings paid by the university.

• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

Cultural Resource Center Leadership – 70%

• Create and sustain a welcoming Indigenous-centered environment that fosters belonging, cultural connections, student development, community care, and visibility for Indigenous students and communities at OSU .

• Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and supervision to student staff (~10), including hiring, training, evaluation, and professional development. This includes navigating student employment policies, facilitating 1:1 and group staff meetings, assigning work, maintaining clear expectations, and providing consistent growth-oriented feedback.

• Oversee administrative and financial operations, including budget management, purchasing and reconciliation, facilities oversight, space reservations, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and compliance with institutional policies and procedures including federal laws such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA ).

• Advance kimih programming and initiatives that affirm Indigenous identities, histories, and sovereignty. Ensure programming is student-centered and aligned with both DCE , divisional and institutional strategic goals.

• Navigate and manage crisis situations, conflict resolution, and conduct issues for students, including timely intervention, culturally informed resource referrals, and upholding university community standards.

• Develop, manage, and sustain partnerships with key OSU departments and programs focused on support of Indigenous students and communities. This includes collaboration with affinity student organizations, Tribal liaisons, regional and national Indigenous networks, and cross-campus initiatives as well supporting campus efforts to strengthen relationships with local Tribes.

• Support the intentional inclusion of local Tribal protocols and practices, as appropriate, in the use and stewardship of the center and cultural items.

• Facilitate connections and referrals for students to support meaningful engagement with the OSU community including increased access to academic, personal, and cultural resources that strengthen student experience, retention, and well-being.

Departmental Administration – 20% Contribute to advancing DCE’s strategic goals by engaging in continuous learning, improvement, and culturally responsive practices.

Lead and implement departmental subcommittee work in areas such as:

• Outreach & Engagement: Develop strategies to build collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.

• Staff Development: Support shared professional learning, training, and capacity building.

• DCE Recruitment & Hiring: Develop and refine processes to recruit, hire, and retain student staff.

• Assessment: Design and implement assessment measures to evaluate and improve CRC programming, employment, and community impact.

Actively participate in weekly DCE staff meetings to:

• Strengthen departmental relationships and interdependence.

• Strategize and consult on student needs, programming, and operations.

• Advance departmental projects and initiatives.

• Share updates and insights from committee and subcommittee work, service contributions and campus announcements.

Represent DCE on institutional committees, commissions, and workgroups (e.g., President’s Commissions, Care Team, Bias Response Team) and at institutional events.

Provide educational and cultural resources to stakeholders through presentations, workshops, trainings, and collaborations that highlight Indigenous knowledge, histories, and perspectives.

Other Duties as Assigned – 10%

• Coordinate and manage special projects assigned by DCE leadership, ensuring alignment with department goals and institutional strategic priorities.

• Engage in ongoing professional development, including Indigenous leadership training, higher education policy development, cultural competency education, and learning related to Oregon’s Tribes and Tribal communities.

• Serve as a visible campus and community representative of the kimih, demonstrating leadership, accountability, and care in all aspects of the role.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position (i.e. Ethnic Studies, Cultural Studies, Education, Social Sciences)

• Four or more years of experience in a higher education setting with a focus on a combination of the following: academic support, leadership development, community engagement, programming or developing diversity/social justice focused educational programs. OR related professional experience working with college students in Tribal communities or Indigenous focused organizations.

• Demonstrated experience with mentoring, advising, and/or supervision.

• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and awareness of identity development, community needs, or student success strategies for Indigenous peoples of the Americas and/or Pacific Islands

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work with Indigenous peoples of the Americas and/or Pacific Islands across multiple intersecting dimensions of difference such as gender, race, ethnicity, ability and sexuality.

• Demonstrated experience with managing multiple and complex projects.

• Demonstrated experience implementing strong written and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex situations (e.g. crisis management, care work, and bias-related incidents).

• Experience initiating and nurturing relationships with multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience with budget management.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Ethnic Studies, Cultural Studies, Indigenous Studies, Counseling, or related field of study

• 2 or more years of direct experience working with cultural resource centers, multicultural programming, or identity-focused student support services in a higher education setting.

• Demonstrated experience working with student organizations.

• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating workshops, trainings, or dialogues on topics related to social justice, identity development, cultural knowledge, community building, or leadership.

• Knowledge of assessment and program evaluation strategies.

• Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with a broad range of campus and community stakeholders.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

• Work is campus based and generally Monday – Friday during standard business hours. Work schedule may include occasional evening and weekend commitments and meetings.

• Work environment is in a cultural resource center setting.

• Frequent contact and work with a variety of faculty, staff and students.

• Regular handling of confidential information.

• Position includes occasional out-of-state travel to attend meetings and conferences.

• The ability to push/lift up to 30 pounds may be necessary at times.

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. Please make sure your cover letter addresses how you meet the qualifications of the role. As a committee we are assessing your overall ability as a candidate. We’ve found in the past that over-reliance on generative AI is harmful for the committee’s ability to fully assess candidates. Please ensure your submission accurately reflects you, your approach, and your voice. The things we are assessing are not things that can be answered purely by AI.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact: Kris Gage

Kris.gage@oregonstate.edu

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6796477

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