Indigenous Student Success Advisor

About Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College is Calgary’s college with local impact and global reach, serving more than 15,000 students. We launch our students by preparing them for in-demand jobs through high-quality, future-oriented education. We advance our graduates into careers in healthcare, technology, business, entertainment arts, social services, and more, contributing to our economy and community. We evolve our students through work-integrated learning, upskilling, and reskilling. Proud to be named one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges, our applied research focuses on health and educational technology, and social innovation. Home to the Digital Entertainment Nexus, Calgary’s first esports arena, and the Bears varsity team, Bow Valley College is celebrating 60 years of student success. Learn more about the opportunities we create at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Bow Valley College is seeking an Indigenous Student Success Advisor who will holistically support at-risk Indigenous students experiencing barriers to access, retention, and graduation. This role acts as a key connector, advocate, and strategist, working directly with Indigenous students while collaborating across the College and with external partners to reduce systemic barriers and enhance student success.

The position combines direct student support, outreach and engagement, program development, data-informed practice, and community relationship stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

Holistic Indigenous Student Support (60%)

Provide culturally appropriate, holistic support to Indigenous students experiencing academic, personal, financial, or systemic barriers.

Create, implement, and maintain a strategic outreach and engagement program for Indigenous students across the College.

Develop and maintain a culturally respectful intake and documentation process for Indigenous student supports.

Meet individually or in groups with students to identify and address actual or potential barriers to success.

Conduct needs assessments and participate in internal and external referral processes, acting as an advocate using strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches.

Maintain comprehensive documentation of student interactions, outcomes, action plans, and reporting.

Develop, adapt, and monitor Indigenous Student Success Plans throughout the student life cycle.

Triage safety concerns and address basic student needs in collaboration with Student Services.

Schedule and coordinate student appointments with counsellors, assessment services, orientation sessions, and other supports.

Identify students at risk of disengagement and implement proactive outreach and structured interventions.

Monitor effectiveness of supports, track trends, and produce reports and metrics.

Design, deliver, and evaluate intervention programs focused on engagement, retention, and success.

Plan and coordinate culturally appropriate programming, events, and engagement opportunities in collaboration with Iniikokaan Centre, Student Services, and key stakeholders.

Ensure Indigenous students have access to traditional teachings, medicines, and cultural practices, including stewardship and respectful operational management of traditional medicines.

Support and mediate Indigenous student funding and sponsorship processes, including:

First Nations Band Post-Secondary Student Support Program

Aboriginal Futures Career & Training Centre

Rupertsland Institute – Métis Centre of Excellence

Freehorse

Awareness, Engagement, and Communications (30%)

Act as a first point of contact for Indigenous students and College staff regarding Indigenous student supports.

Increase awareness, access, usage, and impact of Indigenous student support services.

Track and report Indigenous student trends, lived experiences, and outcomes using College systems.

Promote Indigenous student programming through multiple communication channels, including newsletters, emails, D2L, presentations, workshops, sharing circles, and in-person engagement.

Maintain a comprehensive content calendar and communications schedule for Indigenous student supports.

Deliver centre tours and presentations upon request.

Represent Student Services at College and community events (e.g., Open House, Orientation).

Serve as a subject-matter resource in Indigenous student success, staying current with best practices and emerging trends.

Gather and use student feedback to inform service improvements and program development.

Use trauma-informed practices to validate and document Indigenous student experiences.

Identify and report measures of success.

Collaboration and Resource Navigation (10%)

Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to connect students with appropriate supports.

Coordinate access to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and language speakers.

Maintain an up-to-date holistic resource guide for Treaty 7 and Métis Nation Region 3 territories.

Support referrals to Student Services including Accessibility, Counselling & Wellness, Financial Aid, Career Services, Student Awards, Library & Learning Commons, and academic departments.

Assess referral processes and recommend improvements to enhance Indigenous student support.

Research, track, and report on trends in Indigenous student services and post-secondary education.

Provide high-quality customer service and administrative support as required.

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Manager, Student Success & Engagement.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three (3) years of related experience.

Demonstrated connection, active ties, and relationships with Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous networks.

Experience working with or alongside Indigenous populations.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Forms, OneDrive, etc.).

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in student advising, coaching, assessment of barriers, or motivational interviewing.

Background in social work, social justice, community services, education, or administration.

Knowledge of common barriers faced by Indigenous adult learners.

Experience with Mailchimp.

Anti-racism and suicide prevention training.

Event planning and project management experience.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to support adult learners with mental health, financial, organizational, time-management, and LMS-related challenges.

Knowledge of post-secondary student success trends and retention strategies.

This opening is a continuous AUPE position. Please note all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check. 

Closing Date February 02, 2026

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.