Tribal Outreach and Student Success Specialist

Position Summary

This grant-funded position serves as the primary contact between ENMU-Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Tribe for student recruitment, dual credit support, advising, retention, and pathway development. The position supports prospective and current students by helping increase access to college opportunities, strengthening educational pathways, and promoting student success from outreach through enrollment and persistence. The position works collaboratively with tribal leadership, local schools, students, families, and campus departments to support enrollment, academic planning, student engagement, and completion efforts. This position reports to the Director of Student Services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary point of contact between ENMU-Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Tribe for student support, outreach, family engagement, and pathway development.
• Coordinates and supports dual credit recruitment, enrollment, advising, and retention efforts for Mescalero students.
• Provides academic advising and student support services to prospective and current students, including assistance with admissions, registration, course selection, degree planning, and connection to campus resources.
• Assists students and families with admissions applications, FAFSA completion, scholarship opportunities, and understanding financial aid processes.
• Supports student recruitment and outreach through presentations, information sessions, campus visits, school visits, family engagement activities, and community events.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with Mescalero Apache Tribal leadership, schools, students, families, and community partners.
• Assists students in understanding academic and career pathways, certificate and degree options, and transition opportunities into college and workforce programs.
• Supports planning, coordination, and participation in new student orientation activities and transition programs for incoming students.
• Monitors student progress and assists with retention initiatives, including proactive outreach to students at academic risk and coordination of appropriate support services.
• Provides tutoring and academic support to HSE students at Mescalero, as needed.
• Works collaboratively with Student Services, the Vice President of Student Learning and Success, faculty, and other departments to address barriers to student success and improve access to services.
• Maintains knowledge of ENMU-Ruidoso academic programs, student support services, admissions procedures, financial aid processes, scholarship opportunities, and dual credit opportunities.
• Assists with pathway development and efforts to strengthen transitions from high school to college and into career-aligned programs.
• Collects, maintains, retrieves, and ensures accuracy of data related to student outreach, advising, enrollment, family engagement, and retention.
• Assists with the preparation of reports, updates, and supporting documentation required for program evaluation and institutional planning.
• Makes recommendations for improving student support, strengthening partnerships, increasing family engagement, and expanding educational opportunities between ENMU-Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
• Serves on committees and participates in meetings, college functions, and cross-training activities that support student success and institutional goals.
• Predictable and regular attendance required
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social sciences, business, public administration, or related field.
• One year of related experience in student services, advising, recruitment, outreach, education, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in all kinds of weather and road conditions
• Valid New Mexico Driver's License or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn higher education practices related to advising, dual credit, student recruitment, retention, and pathway development
• Understanding of Native American communities, specifically the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and the importance of culturally responsive student support
• Experience working with students, families, schools, or community partners in an educational or service-oriented setting
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience presenting information to groups and working effectively with diverse audiences
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and a student-centered approach to problem solving
• Experience coordinating outreach, advising, recruitment, or student support activities
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience maintaining accurate records, reports, and student-related data
• Initiative, follow-through, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings or weekends as needed
• Commitment to collaboration, student success, and education access

Physical Demand and Working Conditions:

Work is performed during normal work hours, with some evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. Work is sedentary in nature, which at times requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionallyand/or a consistent amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Essential Functions:[As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, these include the aforementioned duties and responsibilities, minimum job requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as physical demands and working conditions. This is not necessarily an all-inclusive listing.]

Application Review Date:

Condition of Employment:Must pass a pre-employment background check.

Electronic Application Instructions: Electronic applications should be submitted through the "Apply" link at the top of this page. Please attach the following required documents to your electronic application:

Required Documents:

Please ensure that you attach all required documents, even if you have applied for other positions at ENMU, as the committee does not have access to those records.

Letter of interest
Resume
Contact information for three references (blind or off-list reference checks may be conducted on finalists)
Transcripts (unofficial for application purposes)

Equal Employment Opportunity /Title IX/IPRA.Eastern New Mexico University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (575) 562-2115. New Mexico is an open records state; therefore, ENMU complies with the Inspection of Public Records Act, NMSA 1978, Chapter 14, Article 2, from the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General. Any concerns regarding sex discrimination should be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator at eithertitleix.coordinator@enmu.eu, (575) 562-2235, or Curry Hall Office 127, 1500 S Avenue K, Portales, NM 88130. Requests for inspection of public records should be sent toplanning.analysis@enmu.edu. For any other inquiries, please contact Human Resources at (575) 562-2115 or e-mailENMU.HRrecruiter@enmu.edu.