Tiffany Gusbeth named a “Leading for Equity” fellow

Tiffany Gusbeth named a “Leading for Equity” fellow 

 

DENVER– Tiffany Gusbeth (Northern Cheyenne Nation), Vice President of Student Success Services at the American Indian College Fund, was one of 12 individuals chosen nationwide to participate in the inaugural cohort of Leading for Equity Fellowship program through the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and sponsored by UBS. At college attainment organizations, people of color are often well-represented among student-serving positions, but not in executive leadership. The program is designed to expand the number of leaders of color represented in the C-suite within organizations in the college attainment field.

Fellows will strengthen their capacity to address systemic issues of power, privilege, oppression, and equity within organizations, communities, and systems. The goals of this largely virtual fellowship are to, among other things, help participants:

• distill their greatest leadership strengths,
• build skills in key executive leadership competencies, such as fundraising, organizational management, inclusive leadership, managing team dynamics, and strategic planning,
• strengthen their capacity to address systemic issues of power, privilege, oppression, and equity within organizations, communities, and systems, and
• grow their supportive network of peers, mentors, and long-term connections in the field.

Gusbeth is responsible for the development and implementation of student support systems and strategies for Native student success. She oversees scholarships, college access, career readiness, student engagement, strategic enrollment management, and the development of an organizational student and program management database at the College Fund. Her passion is ensuring the work is accomplished with respect and with a cultural match to those she serves.

Prior to joining the College Fund, Gusbeth served as a financial aid and scholarship advisor at several community colleges and four-year higher education institutions. In these roles, she was responsible for helping students and their families understand and obtain federal student aid. This background in financial aid and student services provided the perfect foundation for supporting American Indian College Fund scholarship applicants and recipients.

“If we want to ensure more equity in college attainment for communities of color, then investing in the talented pipeline of leaders proximate to those communities is imperative,” said Jamie Sears, Head of Community Impact and Corporate Responsibility for UBS and secretary of the NCAN board of directors. “UBS congratulates the 12 extraordinary individuals who make up the first cohort of the inaugural Leading for Equity Fellowship–we’re excited for you and your leadership journey!”

Gusbeth said, “I was encouraged by my colleagues to apply for this fellowship. As a newer team member on the College Fund’s executive team, this fellowship will provide me training in leadership development, an opportunity to network with peer leaders of color in similar trajectories and will also deepen my knowledge in strategies and approaches to address systemic issues related to diversity and equity within organizations and communities. Our President/CEO and other executive leaders have also made the commitment to explore and address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion to strengthen our organization and better support our staff. I believe participating in a fellowship like this will allow me to contribute to this conversation in a deeper way.”

Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said, “It is an honor to support Tiffany Gusbeth’s development as an Indigenous woman leader. The College Fund works with increasingly complex and diverse Native communities. People like Tiffany, whose lived experiences align with those of our students who study at our tribal colleges, are invaluable to our success. We are particularly excited that Tiffany’s participation in the NCAN Fellowship is so timely as we strengthen our vision of inclusive equity as a Native-led, Native-serving organization.”

 

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