NWIC President

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

NWIC President

Full-Time 12 Months

OPENING DATE:

February 19, 2025

REVIEW DATE:

March 19, 2025

CLOSING DATE:

March 19, 2025

LOCATION:

Main Campus

SUPERVISOR:

Board of Trustees

SALARY:

$130,000-$160,000

JOB SCOPE

The President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Indian College (NWIC) and is responsible for providing visionary and executive leadership to achieve the mission and goals of the College, as expressed by the NWIC Board of Trustees (BOT). The President reports directly to the Board of Trustees and focuses on maintaining continuity and stability in advancing the College’s mission, especially in tribal education. The President will ensure that the College continues to serve both place-based students and those seeking alternative educational resources, such as online learning, while addressing immediate challenges and opportunities during this transition period.

College History and Framework:

The context for Lummi education is a 'history' in itself. It includes the atrocities during the government and religious boarding school era. We honor the survival of those individuals who endured the harsh punishments and yet at various levels retained a sense of 'self.' We value the individuals who wrote letters to the Bureau of Indian Affairs requesting a 'day school' for Lummi children: to_ be educated in their homelands. We recall the dedication of the Lummi people who made the Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture a reality. We take into account the challenges and changes of the Lummi Community College - now the Northwest Indian College (NWIC), and reaffirm that Tribal Colleges were created to be locally and culturally based. This cultural framework for all of the Lummi Education entities and institutions provides access for building the capacity of students to engage in the crucial work of cultural protection and self-determination. It is a cultural strategy for revitalization that promotes student development so that each student emerges and grows as a leader in rebuilding Native Nations and who deepens and strengthens our community's original identity. This framework stands upon the principals of Indigenousness, grounded in our stories, our inherent rights and responsibilities, our language; and Sovereignty, with leadership qualities necessary for the protection of our homelands and people. Unlike mainstream curricula, this curriculum is reposited in place.

We celebrate and commit to memory all the grass root, social justice issues in education that Lummi leaders, past and present, both women and men withstood so that our children will thrive in their own schools.

*College history and framework derived from draft Title 43 Code of the Lummi Nation.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT:

1. Advance the mission of NWIC as a tribal college.

2. Promote academic achievement and student success toward students’ educational goals.

3. Maintain a commitment to high academic standards, intellectual curiosity, and creativity.

4. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, fostering collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the community.

5. Provide stability and maintain collegial relationships in all academic and leadership roles during this interim period.

DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT:

1. Operate the College in accordance with the policies approved by the NWIC Board of Trustees and the relevant laws and regulations of the Lummi Indian Business Council, US Congress, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other agencies.

2. Provide leadership and supervision for the College’s programs, ensuring continued delivery of:

a. Instructional programs, including degree and certificate offerings in general college transfer, workforce education, cultural education, developmental education, continuing education and library services.

b. Student services, including admissions, recruitment, financial aid, counseling, academic/holistic advising, internships, and student government activities, student learning accessibility, accessibility for facilities, and student testing.

c. Work with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide fiscal operations, including budget management, payroll, purchasing, grants and contract reporting, and auxiliary services. The President shall be responsible for the operation of the College as set out in the Charter.

d. Work with the NWIC BOT to ensure there is a master plan for campus and facilities maintenance and development. Work with staff and faculty to ensure that the college is optimizing opportunities for campus development and opportunities for improvement for facilities and maintenance. NWIC BOT must approve the campus facilities and maintenance plans on a yearly basis.

e. Collaborate with the VP of Institutional Effectiveness to conduct private sector fundraising, working with the Northwest Indian College Foundation, and overseeing investments of college and foundation endowment funds.

f. Collaborate with the VP of Institutional Effectiveness to conduct public sector fundraising through government and foundation grants, ensuring compliance with strategic initiatives.

g. Work with VP of Institutional Effectiveness and the Academic Dean and team to collect comprehensive data on community feedback for educational programs at all levels.

h. Provide leadership and collaborate with academic leaders for long-range planning, evaluation of educational programs, and addressing current and projected enrollment needs.

3. Maintain an effective personnel program that includes retaining staff, following the “growing our own” initiative, Indian-preference advancement opportunities, professional development, and promoting good working relationships within the College.

4. Work with the NWIC BOT to maintain public relations programs that foster community engagement and strong ties with the media while also protecting our sovereignty provided under the Lummi Nation and TCU Act, tribal and public schools, and other higher education institutions[DP1] . Ensure that the college has proper policy approved by the NWIC BOT to protect and guide the college for media requests.

5. Work with the NWIC BOT to ensure effective legislative relations, including communication with congressional leaders on issues of importance to NWIC and participation in AIHEC legislative activities.

6. Ensure the College maintains its accreditation, including meeting all annual reporting and compliance requirements.

7. Participate in professional development activities to stay informed about new practices and innovations in higher education.

8. Maintain open communication and effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administration, and the broader community.

9. Supervise staff according to the organizational chart and ensure performance evaluations and corrective actions are properly managed.

• Assume responsibility for all delegated tasks and areas of authority as determined by the Board.
• The President shall be responsible for daily operations of Northwest Indian College.
• The President shall be responsible for planning and development as directed by the Board; including an annual budget and long-range plan.
• The President shall be required to make an annual narrative and financial report, including audit findings and a corrective plan to the Lummi Indian Business Council on behalf of the NWIC BOT; and shall submit monthly reports including financial reports to the Board of Trustees.
• The President shall be responsible to prepare an annual budget and status reports of all grants for the Board of Trustees.
• The President shall be called President or CEO (Chief Executive Officer).

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

1. Comprehensive knowledge of tribal higher education and broader higher education systems.

2. Experience in strategic planning, evaluation, and program development and implementation.

3. Demonstrated ability to support institutional goals related to student success, cultural education, and community outreach.

4. Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

5. Knowledge of research, assessment, and continuous improvement strategies.

6. Financial and budgetary management skills necessary for both short-term and long-term oversight.

7. Has a driver’s license, driving is an essential function of the job.

8. Pass a background check with no charges that include essential duties of this job description.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. An earned doctorate in higher education or a related field, with five (5) years of successful administrative experience in higher education and successful administrative/supervisory experience in higher education.

2. Demonstrated administrative experience in strategic planning, student success initiatives, budget oversight, and supervision.

3. Experience working within Native higher education is preferred.

4. Research and publication experience is preferred.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individuals should submit the following application materials directly to the NWIC Human Resources Office only.

1. Cover letter addressing how you meet the position qualifications

2. NWIC Application

3. NWIC Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) form

4. Current and complete professional resume

5. Copies of college transcripts (can submit unofficial copies at time of application)

6. Three of recommendation from persons, who are not members of your immediate family, who have firsthand knowledge of your qualifications for the position

7. If applicable to the position, provide copies of certificates/licenses/credentials

The job announcement and application forms are available online at www.nwic.edu/about-nwic/employment or may be requested from and submitted directly to.

Human Resources

Northwest Indian College

2522 Kwina Road, Building 28

Bellingham, WA 98226-9278

Telephone/Fax: 360.392.4220

Email: employment@nwic.edu

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $130,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $130,000 - $160,000