Program Mentor - International Programs

Who We Are

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

To grow our workforce, we are seeking creative, collaborative faculty who are reflective of the diverse community we serve. Tacoma Community College is a public Associate- and Bachelor’s-granting institution that serves a student-body of approximately 10,000 students. Our students are 48% students of color, 60% female, and have a median age of 26. We embrace our identity as a community college. Our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion, and community success. According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, TCC ranks high on measures of active learning and academic challenge, thanks to our creative and scholarly faculty.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and the LGBTQIA2+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching.
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others.
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community.
• Have experience teaching or doing research in Native/Indigenous communities.
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population.
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting.
• Care deeply about student success.
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities.
• Reflect the diversity of our community.

About the Program:

TCC hosts a number of short-term programs through out the year. Several from Japan, 2 from Denmark and 1 from Taiwan. These groups come from partner schools in these countries and their stays vary from 1 week to 6 months.

About the position:

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of International and Short Term Housing, the program mentors will assist the Short Term Program Specialist with the planning and implementation of the various short term programs. The schedule will include some evening and weekend hours.

Essential Functions

• Assist with airport pick up when group arrives and airport drop offs when the group departs.
• Assist with new student orientation and transitions.
• Mentor Short Term Program students regarding cultural differences and adjustment.
• Plan and supervise on and off campus activities; which may include full day field trips.
• Liaise between Short Term Program students and lead staff in the international department as issues or concerns arise.
• Assist Assistant Director and lead staff with special projects, including a farewell ceremony at the conclusion of each cohort.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have completed at least 1 quarter at TCC and be currently enrolled for at least 10 credits.
  • International Students must maintain at least 12 credits to remain in status
• Minimum of 3.0 college level GPA upon hiring and must maintain 3.0 quarterly GPA as a mentor.
• Assessment at ENGL 95 or above (for non-native speakers).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience living or studying in another country or a similar situation requiring significant cultural adjustments.
• Familiarity with Tacoma and the broader Puget Sound area for entertainment, recreation, and/or general life (like where to find Asian grocery stores, what areas to check out (and what to avoid, less common American routines like tipping, etc).

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.
• Commitment to be available for at least one complete cohort; current confirmed cohort will be Late March through Mid-August.
• Currently in good standing with TCC and immigration (if international student).

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

• Ethics and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills; including building and maintaining internal/external customer satisfaction and the ability to problem solve and find information.
• Demonstrate a background in working effectively with a diverse population in a customer service environment.
• An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
• An appreciation for the difference between peer mentoring and supervising or teaching.
• Polite telephone etiquette.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
• Strong written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Must be available for evening and weekend hours.

Application Process

• Tacoma Community College online application.
• Cover letter and resume. In your cover letter indicate how your background and experience meets the qualifications for this position.
• Optional: no more than 2 Letters of recommendation from TCC staff, faculty, or other teachers and supervisors are welcome, but not required.