Indigenous Student Success Advisor, Learners Early Access Program (LEAP)

Indigenous Student Success Advisor, Learners Early Access Program (LEAP)

Algoma University

Location: Brampton, ON

Department: Student Success & Wellbeing

Reference # MG-17924

Salary Range: $58,996 - $73,745

About Algoma University

Since its establishment in 1965 as Algoma University College in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma University has increasingly assumed a national leadership role in supporting the university sector’s response to Truth, Healing and Reconciliation. Algoma’s  Special Mission  is guided by the 7 Grandfather Teachings and  Honouring Commitments, and is twofold in nature:

a.       to be a teaching-oriented university that provides programs in liberal arts and sciences and professional programs, primarily at the undergraduate level, with a focus on the needs of Northern Ontario; and to

b.       cultivate cross-cultural learning between Indigenous communities and other communities in keeping with the history of Algoma University and its geographic site.

With campuses located in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton and Timmins, the tri-campus model that has emerged at Algoma University leverages the unique strengths, opportunities and broader community needs of each geographic location. Through this model, Algoma provides students with rich experiential learning experiences and research opportunities across liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines.

Algoma University is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive, safe, and respectful learning community; one that values the opportunities to learn from and with students, staff, and visitors from all parts of the world. Currently, Algoma University is home to over 5,000 students representing over 50 different countries, more than 430 full-time and part-time faculty and over 150 support staff and administrative personnel.

Indigenous Student Success Advisor, LEAP

As part of Algoma University’s ongoing commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, and inclusion, the institution is seeking a Student Success Advisor, Learners Early Access Program (LEAP) who is passionate about initiatives that break down barriers and provide accessibility and pathways for traditionally underrepresented and marginalized learners. Working in partnership with the local school boards, the University is excited to launch this early access program designed to initiate a structural and systemic change in academic program delivery and create a positive social impact.

Reporting to the Director, Student Success & Wellbeing, the Indigenous Student Success Advisor, LEAP offers equitable academic, personal, and career advising focusing on the unique needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. This position will work towards equitable outcomes for improved Indigenous student success and achievement rates. The incumbent will work closely with the Algoma LEAP core team in addition to school districts, campus offices such as Student Success & Wellbeing, Student Life, and community partners to ensure student success and program completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement academic and program support to meet the unique needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students and their families to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and successfully transition into post-secondary education.
• Foster a safe and inclusive environment to assist students develop skills to successfully meet the demands of OSSD, Algoma University courses, and Game Developer Certificate completion through an access, opportunity, and equity lens.
• Provide proactive individual wraparound support to assist students to navigate and succeed within Algoma LEAP.
• Assess and develop individual learning plans with agreed upon goals.
• Monitor student academic progress and meet with students at frequent and regularly scheduled times, intervening as appropriate to assist those students having difficulty with necessary referrals to mental health and other resources.
• Gauge student success by tracking the progress of individual students through the use of such measures as anecdotal reports, behaviour and academic tracking sheets, parent reports, lates, suspensions, academic results, incident reports, parental involvement, etc.
• Work with the student, family, teachers, faculty, and other school staff in order to help students to develop a plan to achieve regular school attendance and credit accumulation.
• Build and establish relationships with various service agencies including local First Nation, Métis, and Inuit organizations serving the community and students.
• Assemble a “Circle of Caring Adults” that will include Indigenous community members, Elders, and health and social services professionals that will facilitate the provision of customized and personalized support to Indigenous students.
• Work directly with school board administration in addition to the departments of Student Success & Wellbeing, Student Life, and Office of the Registrar staff in relation to the needs of individual students.
• Prepare for meetings between school personnel and parents/guardians to address school concerns.
• Facilitate contact with appropriate support services for youth and their families.

 Indigenous Student Success Advisor, LEAP Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years of experience working with secondary and post-secondary students, including students of underrepresented, racialized, marginalized backgrounds, and those who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
• Knowledge of secondary and post-secondary student development or personality theory. Excellent listening and guidance skills with the ability to relate to students and their families.
• Lived experience as a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit person, international learner, racialized person, or a member of an equity-deserving group, preferred.
• Knowledge of Indigenous traditional teachings, cultures, perspectives, values, and history with connections to local Indigenous communities, is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Skilled in building trusting, respectful and safe relationships with Indigenous youth.
• Must have experience or demonstrated ability to work effectively with youth from diverse backgrounds in an academic or community setting.
• Experience or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the youth service sector and ability to access and navigate local community resources to support students and their families.
• Demonstrated experience/ability to relate to students, including the ability to motivate them and form trusting mentor/mentee relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to assess student needs (social, emotional, academic).
• Ability to lead new programming development and evaluation in student wellbeing services.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
• Understanding of the importance of abiding by confidentiality standards.
• Excellent written, presentation, and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic fast-paced environment with multiple interruptions.
• Knowledge of G-Suite applications and student records systems is considered an asset.
• Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends, in order to meet program needs.
• Vulnerable Police Sector check is required.

How To Apply

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking the 'Apply Now' button below.  

For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Natalie Lagace, Recruitment Specialist, at nlagace@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Mark know.

Algoma University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our community and is an equal opportunity employer. The university invites and encourages applications from all qualified candidates from equity-seeking groups, (Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIPA+ persons) who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Algoma University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. The successful candidate, as a condition of employment, will be required to provide a Police Vulnerable Sector Check.

Algoma University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Natalie Lagace, Recruitment Specialist, at nlagace@kbrs.ca.