Director for Educational Pathways and Community Partnerships

Department

College of LAS-Office

About the University

Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students who were underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences did not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado’s extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s college students.

 

Proud of its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado, the University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values: Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff. 

About the mission of the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

Our college attracts, educates and champions students from every community who are motivated by learning, discovery, and a desire to make a difference. Through expertly crafted content and hands-on learning, CLAS students attain holistic knowledge, disciplinary expertise, and advanced critical thinking skills. We equip our students to understand the intersectional qualities of humanity and thought, utilizing this knowledge to thrive and succeed in life’s journey.

About the mission of the Department of Chicana/o Studies

Our department's mission is to prepare and empower culturally responsive students to engage in critical thinking about the sociohistorical, multicultural, intersectional, and global contexts in which they live, learn and work; understand the changing demographics in US society; and to articulate and analyze public policy issues and implications grounded in the diverse experiences, expressions, social conditions of Chicano/a/x and Latino/a/x and Indigenous communities.

Position Summary

The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at MSU Denver invites applications for the position of Director for Educational Pathways and Community Partnerships. This is a 12-month position with both administrative and faculty duties within the Department of Chicana/o Studies (CHS).

As a collaborator and leader, the Director for Educational Pathways and Community Partnerships actively contributes to college and departmental strategic planning. The Director sets priorities by identifying, building and sustaining various pathways and bridges from middle and high school to MSU Denver through Concurrent Enrollment (CE) and Journey Through our Heritage (JTOH) programs. Job duties are divided as such:

• 70% as Director
• 30% as faculty (non-tenure track, lecturer rank)

Responsibilities

Director Duties (70%)

Leadership, Management, and Coordination - 50%

Develop and oversee the integration of a robust, dynamic Pathways and Bridges program that integrates Concurrent Enrollment (CE) and Journey Through Our Heritage (JTOH) programs in the Department of Chicana/o Studies. Duties include:

• Grounding CE and JTOH programs within the academic framework of Chicana/o Studies through:
  • Academic/scholarly co-curricular alignment.
  • Well-defined pathways from Middle School & High School to college.
  • Providing programming rooted in critical cultural knowledge.
• Establishing a disciplinary foundation of Chicana/o Studies in the programs by way of Critical evaluation/theory and Intersectionality.
• Growing, sustaining, and properly scaling educational partnerships through:
  • Schools vis-à-vis concurrent enrollment.
  • Summer bridge program focused and aligned with CHS and CLAS Strategic Priorities.
  • Bridging relevant community organizations with student-centered opportunities aligned to MSU Denver community-engaged practices.
• Engage in program assessment and data collection.

Student Engagement - 20%

• Organize and oversee student participation in the JTOH program including, but not limited to student employment, community engagement activities, and projects that align with academic goals and outcomes.

Faculty Responsibilities (30%)

• This is a 12-month faculty director position, and the selected candidate will teach one course each semester per academic year in their respective discipline.
• Advise students and program participants in content area.
• Engage in service to the department, college, profession, and/or community through the functions as the Director. 

Details for faculty responsibilities are outlined in the Faculty Employment Handbook and Departmental Guidelines

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Ed.D in Ethnic Studies or closely aligned field OR terminal degree with documented experience within academic disciplines closely aligned to Ethnic Studies
• Minimum of three years of collegiate-level teaching and/or pedagogical oversight
• Experience working with community service organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Chicana/o Studies or closely aligned field
• Current or past faculty role in Chicano/a Studies or related academic field
• Experience supervising student staff
• Experience working in collaboration with administrators, faculty, staff, community partners, and students in a higher education environment
• Demonstrated experience working with students and staff from varying racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds with appropriate race/ethnicity-consciousness
• Evidence of effective program/event planning and management
• Experience conducting program evaluation and/or assessment of student learning
• Strong communication and human relations skills
• Understanding and familiarity with concurrent enrollment, critical cultural wealth models and community service pedagogy
• Experience in program development to improve and effectively deliver services

Salary for Announcement

Under Colorado law, MSU Denver is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $75,000 - $85,000.

MSU Denver offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Instructions for Application

Please apply by visiting our career site, https://www.msudenver.edu/careers, and searching for JR104918.

The following documents are required to be included with your application:

• Resume

• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

Due to volume of applications received, incomplete applications may not be reviewed; please ensure you have uploaded all required documents.

Professional references and their contact information will be requested from the finalist/s. At least one reference provided must be a supervisor (either current or former).

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline

Applications accepted until position is filled; priority given to applications received through Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting Representative

Katie Lynch

Posting Representative Email

klynch24@msudenver.edu

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.   

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf. 

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors.  To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.