Indigenous Student Success Coordinator

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we work, stand and create._

The **Indigenous Student Centre** (ISC) offers a welcoming environment with a wide range of specialized services to support the academic, cultural, social, and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University. The ISC is a culturally activated space where students can meet, study, or relax between classes. We host weekly events, guest lectures, workshops, visiting artists, field trips and extra-curricular activities supporting Indigenous visual arts and culture.

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre (ISC), the Indigenous Student Success Coordinator is responsible for providing Indigenous students with academic advising and support, financial aid assistance, and referrals to both on and off campus support services. The Coordinator is responsive to individual student needs and provides advocacy and guidance with academic and non-academic policies. The Coordinator is responsible for planning and implementing services and programs designed to facilitate the academic success of Indigenous students at OCAD University (OCAD U). The Coordinator works to ensure that Indigenous students are supported with culturally relevant services, working closely with Indigenous staff, faculty and OCAD U support services to facilitate open, respectful communication to meet the needs of Indigenous students.

**Summary of Responsibilities**:

- Provide guidance, advocacy, and referrals to Indigenous students through one-on-one consultations.
- Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant university policies, procedures, and practices to effectively respond to student concerns and support Indigenous student safety.
- Provide guidance, support, crisis intervention and referrals to Indigenous students, as needed; acting as a liaison between students and supports internal and external to the University.
- Provide advocacy services and guidance to Indigenous students in navigating academic and non-academic policies and processes; supporting students through the relevant policy or process as needed or requested.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant academic and non-academic policies including Student Petitions, Grade Appeals, Non-Academic Misconduct Policy, Response to Violent or Threatening Behaviour, Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy; supporting students with referrals to the relevant policy holder when necessary.
- Provide academic advising, support and information to students pertaining to procedures, program requirements, dates and deadlines; working closely with Student Advising, Office of the Registrar and relevant support units.
- Knowledge of internal and external bursaries, awards, financial supports for Indigenous students; working closely with the Financial Aid & Awards office, providing referrals as needed.
- Knowledge of housing supports available for Indigenous OCAD U students; community programs, resources and housing partners.
- Develop collaborative relationships with OCAD U’s existing student support services to ensure Indigenous student needs are integrated into service delivery throughout the University; including Student Advising, Office of the Registrar, Student Wellness Centre, Student Accessibility Services, Writing & Learning Centre, Financial Aid & Awards, Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives, and the Student Union.
- Compile and maintain a resource list of supports for Indigenous students, including grants and awards, housing, career opportunities, health and wellness, events, and Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Indigenous service organizations and agencies.
- Build and maintain relationships with a range of external agencies and organizations serving Indigenous people such as Miziwe Biik Employment and Training, Aboriginal Legal Services, Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, 2 Spirited People of the First Nations.
- Support ISC weekly programming, events and workshops as needed
- Track persistence and retention of Indigenous students on an ongoing basis and develop retention plans in collaboration with the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre
- Supervise Indigenous Student Centre, Student Monitors, participating in hiring, managing Monitor schedules, and approving biweekly time entry.
- Serve on internal and external committees as needed.
- Support the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre in other related functions and special projects contributing successful operation of the Indigenous Student Centre.

**Qualifications**:

- Indigenous citizenship (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), connection to an Indigenous community, lived experience and an understanding of the Indigenous culture(s) and practices.
- Experience w