Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Community Engagement Specialist

Description

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and  Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (OEDIA) at Pacific University welcomes applications for a newly created position—Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) Community Engagement Specialist. The position is funded through an Oregon Department of Education NHPI Student Success Plan grant until June 2028.

Pacific University, located in Forest Grove, OR is Oregon’s first federally-designated Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). There are approximately 1600 enrolled undergraduates and according to official statistics 2-3% of the student body identifies as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. On a recent survey, incoming undergraduates were asked to identify their racial/ethnic heritage if they chose the “more than two races” category. According to this data, approximately 12% of incoming students identified as Native Hawaii/Pacific Islander alone on in combination with another race/ethnicity.

It is within this context that the NHPI Community Engagement Specialist will offer academic and career support for Pacific University students through courses, campus activities, and individual mentorship of students. The NHPI CES will also partner with the Director of EDIA (the ODE NHPI SSP Grant Administrator) to ensure that the aims of the ODE NHPI SSP grant project are met. This includes building relationships and partnerships with NHPI community organizations and campus partners and developing professional development opportunities that improve the institution’s capacity to offer culturally responsive academic and career support to students. By engaging in these efforts, the NHPI Community Engagement Specialist works to improve the enrollment, persistence, retention, and graduation rates of Pacific students—especially NHPI students.

ACADEMIC AND CAREER SUPPORT

• Lead community engagement sessions with NHPI community and stakeholders to plan and develop undergraduate NHPI student success and career exploration courses.
• Develop and in Academic Year 2025-26 begin offering student success and career exploration courses that are informed by NHPI culture and knowledges.
• Provide NHPI informed culturally responsive academic coaching and academic support for Pacific University undergraduate students.
• Develop and facilitate NHPI culturally responsive academic success, career development, and career exploration workshops, events, and resources for Pacific University students and the broader NHPI community (especially high school students).

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY

• Aid in the development, organizing, and facilitation of professional development opportunities that provide faculty and staff with a deeper understanding of and ability to employ NHPI culturally responsive frameworks and practices.
• Collaborate with the Director of EDIA in assessing NHPI student success and career exploration efforts. Engage in conversations with community advisory board and campus stakeholders to help craft recommendations for improvement.
• Support the Director of EDIA in developing, collecting and analyzing campus climate surveys that measure NHPI students' knowledge and utilization of resources and sense of belonging at Pacific University.
• Attend Yearly Oregon Department of Education NHPI Student Success Plan Grant project team meetings.
• Collaborate with Director of EDIA, Community and Campus partners and stakeholders, and the Pacific University Media Arts Production Services team to develop a repository of NHPI focused resources that explore topics such as: (a) what does it mean to be NHPI in Oregon/Forest Grove, (b) what are the strengths of being NHPI, (c) being and envisioning NHPI individuals in higher education and (d) understanding the importance of NHPI knowledges and cultures for career development and trajectories.

OTHER POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a co-advisor for a newly created chapter of Pacific Islander Student Alliance at Pacific University.
• Serve as a liaison between the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and the Academic and Career Advising Center.
• Collaborate with Director of EDIA, Community Advisory Board members, and other stakeholders on efforts related to Oregon Department of Education Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Grant project.
• Collaborate on Office of EDIA projects and initiatives that align with expertise.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, especially around NHPI pedagogy, academic and career support, community engagement, and broader EDIA concepts and approaches.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field. Equivalent work, training, and community engagement experiences may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Although not required, a Master’s Degree in related field is helpful.
• Knowledge and understanding of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culturally responsive pedagogies and support practices.
• Experience supporting students' pathway through high school or higher education; experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience facilitating culturally responsive learning environments and/or community spaces.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Knowledge, understanding, and commitment to Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culture and knowledges.
• Ability to connect and discuss NHPI culture and knowledges as pathways for success in and beyond higher education.
• Ability to cultivate community with undergraduate students to provide academic and career support through their academic journeys.
• Effective communication skills that support working collaboratively with undergraduate students, NHPI community organizations, an NHPI community advisory board, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Project management skills to effectively work in collaboration with groups, as well as independently on relevant projects.
• Experience with (or ability to quickly develop community connections) working collaboratively with NHPI community organizations, especially in Oregon.
• Experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to assess program efficacy is desired. 

APPLICATION MATERIALS

1. Cover Letter that addresses the following questions:
   1. What supports do you believe NHPI students need as they transition into higher education?
   2. How could you draw upon NHPI cultures and knowledges to develop these supports to cultivate NHPI students’ success in higher education?
2. Resume or CV

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Review of applications will begin January 22, 2025. Expected start date for the NHPI Community Engagement Specialist is February 2025.

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone or email.  The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.