Vice President for Diversity Affairs and Special Advisor on Tribal Relations

Position Summary:

The Vice President for Diversity Affairs and Special Advisor on Tribal Relations is a transformational executive leader at Fort Lewis College. The position provides leadership to sustain and elevate diversity, promote a culture of support and belonging, and develop strategic initiatives that contribute to the success of all students, faculty, and staff. As the Special Advisor on Tribal Relations, this position will advise the President on important matters with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, serving as the liaison between the college and sovereign Tribal Nations.

Job Description:

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Lead campus-wide diversity and belonging efforts in alignment with the Fort Lewis College 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.
• Lead campus-wide efforts to advance the College’s Reconciliation plan.
• Provide direction and leadership for the Office of Diversity Affairs, including strategic planning, program assessment, budget management (public and private dollars), grant proposal development, donor and alumni stewardship, preparation of reports and development of publications.
• Supervise multiple director-level positions advancing FLC’s belonging, reconciliation, TRIO, CIRCL, and diversity programming on campus.
• Lead outreach efforts that promote and support FLC’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work.
• Guide and support the President on external relations and governmental affairs at the tribal, state, and federal level.
• Build relationships with diverse community partners in Southwest Colorado, with a particular focus on Tribal Nations.
• Collaborate with the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Human Resources to support the faculty and staff in meeting the needs of our diverse student body and promote student success.
• Contribute to creating a more inclusive environment by designing, leading, and executing initiatives that improve the overall student experience.
• Serve as key advisor to the President and Board of Trustees regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Serve as a liaison between the College and Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities (at the local, regional, and national levels).
• Elevate and oversee the work of the Center for Reconciliation by implementing and overseeing programs that support FLC’s reconciliation plan.
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Business, Law, Organizational Development, or related field.
• At least three years of leadership experience in higher education, government, or nonprofit sectors, including roles with organizational leadership, staff supervision, and strategic responsibility (director-level or equivalent).
• Demonstrated track record implementing transformative initiatives in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging space with a focus on stakeholder collaboration and impacting student success.
• Experience securing outside funding to support institutional level initiatives.
• At least three years of supervisory experience, providing direct oversight to faculty and/or professional staff.
• External affairs experience, with a proven track record of navigating complex relationships with external stakeholders.
• Thorough understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across a wide range of identities and lived experiences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, veteran status, religion, and culture.
• Understanding of issues and opportunities facing students from diverse backgrounds and identities in higher education.
• Ability to articulate a high-level vision for DEIB and reconciliation at Fort Lewis College and a willingness to collaborate while directly enacting meaningful initiatives.
• Active listener who deeply engages with all constituents.
• Ability to relate to and work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to accomplish institution-wide goals.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated experience of leading with a collaborative style focused on outcomes.

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree in Education, Business, Law, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Senior leadership in education, nonprofit, or corporate sectors.
• Demonstrated success in improving student outcomes.

Reports To/Supervisory Responsibility

This position reports directly to the President and supervises staff in the Center for Reconciliation Center, Department of Belonging, and TRIO. Supervisory responsibilities will comprise approximately 30% of the position’s key functions and duties.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate computer and telephone equipment 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work 
• Light to moderate lifting is required

Travel 
Approximately 10% travel is expected for this position. 

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range: 

 

• Administrative Professional Salary Position  

• Full Time  

• Permanent

• Full Year   

• Typical work hours are 8am-5pm mountain time, Monday through Friday.  

• Additional time may be required in peak times.   

• This is an on-campus position, however, there may be potential for hybrid work.   

Salary

The salary range is $145,000 to $160,000, and a comprehensive benefits package

Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:
 The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.  The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

• Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy

• Sexual assault policy

• Campus security policies

• Campus/community resources

• The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment

• Where to find registered sex offender information

• Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years

• Reporting crimes

 
 The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at:   www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request.   You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Discrimination Questions?

Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?    
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Madeleine Gillman, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 247-7049 mgillman@fortlewis.edu

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.