The National Congress of American Indians,
President
The National Congress of American Indians,, Cass Lake, Minnesota, United States, 56633
For more information, confidential inquiries, or to submit a nomination, please contact:
Sandy Caldwell, Ed.D. ACCT Search Consultant (307) 389-4193 (m) sjcaldwellok@gmail.com
The Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) is an accredited, two‑year, degree‑granting institution that offers transfer and career/technical degrees with signature programs focused on Indigenous Sciences and Technology, Education, Indigenous Leadership, and Ojibwemowin. The college boasts active on‑campus classes, student life, and a robust distance education program and is located in Cass Lake, MN, within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Nation.
LLTC was established by Tribal Resolution in July 1990, and since then it has grown to serve approximately 150–200 students, most of whom come from the Leech Lake Reservation. The college has earned full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a designated Land Grant Institution.
LLTC’s Mission is to provide quality higher education grounded in Anishinaabe values. Its Vision is to be recognized as a center of academic excellence that advances the Anishinaabe worldview and empowers lifelong learners who are fully engaged citizens, stewards, and leaders. LLTC’s Philosophy is embedded in all areas of the college and is guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, Love, Respect, Humility, and Truth.
Position Summary LLTC is seeking a visionary educational leader who fosters community both inside and outside the college, especially with tribal communities and institutions, and who enriches the college and its students. The President will serve as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the total operation of the college, reporting to the Board of Trustees. The President has full authority to administer and manage day‑to‑day operations of the college, including delegations as appropriate, and will participate in policy‑making in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
Ideal Characteristics
Strong working knowledge of Anishinaabe/Indigenous nationhoods (land base, governance, history) and sensitivity to Anishinaabe cultural protocols, directly informing and supporting LLTC’s mission, values, philosophy, and academic programs.
Working knowledge of academic leadership, including program and curriculum development, student support services, and strategies for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); practical experience in accreditation oversight.
A student‑centered leader who cultivates diverse, creative, and strategically aligned educational and training partnerships to meet evolving business, industry, and employment needs of the region.
Working knowledge of complex budgeting processes, methods for managing limited funding, securing alternative funding, and implementing existing budgeting frameworks.Commitment to leveraging technology to enhance student access to education and improve rural service delivery.
Politically astute and engaging leader committed to shared governance and effective collaboration across campus constituencies and with the governing board; experienced in strategic planning and board partnership to drive institutional success; skilled in working with local government, state and federal legislatures.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree (Doctoral degree preferred) from an accredited institution.
Extensive higher education administrative experience in positions of increasing responsibility with at least three years in senior‑level administration.
Teaching or student services experience at the post‑secondary level.
Additional Information
Must possess (or have the ability to obtain) and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license and current auto insurance.
Must pass a pre‑employment drug test and a criminal background check.
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified American Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25 U.S.C. § 472).
Duties & Responsibilities
Grow enrollment, particularly full‑time and non‑traditional students; improve retention and completion; develop completion and/or transfer plans and provide academic and workforce offerings to serve all students throughout the LLTC and beyond.
Expand articulation and transfer agreements with more Minnesota baccalaureate degree‑granting institutions, emphasizing those that are culturally sensitive to Indigenous students.
Strategically build workforce and retraining programs to drive regional economic and demographic transitions while maintaining cultural integrity by embedding the Seven Grandfather Teachings in all offerings and expanding access to high‑quality education.
Cultivate robust relationships with K‑12 and Tribal schools, communities, regional higher education institutions, and Tribal leadership to ensure cultural responsiveness across all engagements.
Provide transparent, accountable, and Anishinaabe‑values‑driven leadership, championing students and community; direct and delegate the successful HLC accreditation visit in May 2027, lead implementation of the strategic plan through shared governance, and ensure organizational accountability and professional standards.
Drive data‑informed, culturally aware decision‑making and the development of long‑term campus capital projects and technology integration.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to build a financially resilient institution and culture of fiscal responsibility; address funding challenges through strategic advocacy and partnership with the Board of Trustees, government agencies, and legislators.
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Sandy Caldwell, Ed.D. ACCT Search Consultant (307) 389-4193 (m) sjcaldwellok@gmail.com
The Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) is an accredited, two‑year, degree‑granting institution that offers transfer and career/technical degrees with signature programs focused on Indigenous Sciences and Technology, Education, Indigenous Leadership, and Ojibwemowin. The college boasts active on‑campus classes, student life, and a robust distance education program and is located in Cass Lake, MN, within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Nation.
LLTC was established by Tribal Resolution in July 1990, and since then it has grown to serve approximately 150–200 students, most of whom come from the Leech Lake Reservation. The college has earned full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a designated Land Grant Institution.
LLTC’s Mission is to provide quality higher education grounded in Anishinaabe values. Its Vision is to be recognized as a center of academic excellence that advances the Anishinaabe worldview and empowers lifelong learners who are fully engaged citizens, stewards, and leaders. LLTC’s Philosophy is embedded in all areas of the college and is guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, Love, Respect, Humility, and Truth.
Position Summary LLTC is seeking a visionary educational leader who fosters community both inside and outside the college, especially with tribal communities and institutions, and who enriches the college and its students. The President will serve as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the total operation of the college, reporting to the Board of Trustees. The President has full authority to administer and manage day‑to‑day operations of the college, including delegations as appropriate, and will participate in policy‑making in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
Ideal Characteristics
Strong working knowledge of Anishinaabe/Indigenous nationhoods (land base, governance, history) and sensitivity to Anishinaabe cultural protocols, directly informing and supporting LLTC’s mission, values, philosophy, and academic programs.
Working knowledge of academic leadership, including program and curriculum development, student support services, and strategies for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); practical experience in accreditation oversight.
A student‑centered leader who cultivates diverse, creative, and strategically aligned educational and training partnerships to meet evolving business, industry, and employment needs of the region.
Working knowledge of complex budgeting processes, methods for managing limited funding, securing alternative funding, and implementing existing budgeting frameworks.Commitment to leveraging technology to enhance student access to education and improve rural service delivery.
Politically astute and engaging leader committed to shared governance and effective collaboration across campus constituencies and with the governing board; experienced in strategic planning and board partnership to drive institutional success; skilled in working with local government, state and federal legislatures.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree (Doctoral degree preferred) from an accredited institution.
Extensive higher education administrative experience in positions of increasing responsibility with at least three years in senior‑level administration.
Teaching or student services experience at the post‑secondary level.
Additional Information
Must possess (or have the ability to obtain) and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license and current auto insurance.
Must pass a pre‑employment drug test and a criminal background check.
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified American Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25 U.S.C. § 472).
Duties & Responsibilities
Grow enrollment, particularly full‑time and non‑traditional students; improve retention and completion; develop completion and/or transfer plans and provide academic and workforce offerings to serve all students throughout the LLTC and beyond.
Expand articulation and transfer agreements with more Minnesota baccalaureate degree‑granting institutions, emphasizing those that are culturally sensitive to Indigenous students.
Strategically build workforce and retraining programs to drive regional economic and demographic transitions while maintaining cultural integrity by embedding the Seven Grandfather Teachings in all offerings and expanding access to high‑quality education.
Cultivate robust relationships with K‑12 and Tribal schools, communities, regional higher education institutions, and Tribal leadership to ensure cultural responsiveness across all engagements.
Provide transparent, accountable, and Anishinaabe‑values‑driven leadership, championing students and community; direct and delegate the successful HLC accreditation visit in May 2027, lead implementation of the strategic plan through shared governance, and ensure organizational accountability and professional standards.
Drive data‑informed, culturally aware decision‑making and the development of long‑term campus capital projects and technology integration.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to build a financially resilient institution and culture of fiscal responsibility; address funding challenges through strategic advocacy and partnership with the Board of Trustees, government agencies, and legislators.
#J-18808-Ljbffr