Academic Champion (Specialized Population & Academic Recovery Focus)

Talladega College; Talladega (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Talladega College seeks an Academic Champion to provide specialized advising and intensive case management for Freshman and Sophomore students, with a focus on Band participants and the NAD0 program. This role reports to the Director of Student Success and is funded through Title III.

Responsibilities include creating academic roadmaps, coordinating with Band leadership, and ensuring students progress to their junior year while staying eligible for federal aid and band participation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, counseling, or related field preferred; Bachelor's degree required.
• 2+ years of experience in academic advising, student success coaching, or higher education administration.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with at‑risk populations and diverse backgrounds.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; able to communicate with students, faculty, and Band leadership.
• Proficiency in SIS, Excel, and database management.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized academic advising for Freshman and Sophomore Band students balancing rehearsal and travel schedules.
• Offer intensive case management for N.A.D.O. program participants and students in academic recovery.
• Navigate course registration and ensure compliance with SAP and general education requirements.
• Deliver targeted, High-Impact advising and coordinate with Band Director on academic expectations.
• Maintain FERPA-compliant records and monitor early warning reports to intervene timely.
• Coordinate referrals to Student Affairs, financial aid, counseling, and tutoring resources.

Skills

Academic advising

Interpersonal communication

SIS proficiency

Microsoft Excel

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Master's degree in education or counseling

Bachelor's degree required

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Student Information Systems (SIS)

Job description

Position Title: Academic Champion (Specialized Population & Academic Recovery Focus) About Talladega College

Talladega College, Alabama's first private historically black liberal arts college, has been known for academic excellence for over 150 years. It is listed among the Princeton Reviews Best Colleges in the Southeast and U.S. News & World Report's Best HBCUs and Top Performers on Social Mobility. Home to the world-renowned Amistad Murals and a championship-level marching band, Talladega provides a nurturing, historic environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like the BCH Student Activity Center and the Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art.

Job Summary

As a member of the Division of Academic Affairs, the Academic Champion provides specialized, holistic academic advising and intensive case management for Freshman and Sophomore students. This role is uniquely split between two high-priority populations: Band students (navigating the rigors of performance and travel) and students in the N.A.D.O. Program (those admitted conditionally with high school GPAs below 2.0, or students currently on Academic Warning/Probation). The Academic Champion serves as a primary advocate, coach, and strategist, ensuring these students successfully transition to their junior year. This position is funded through Title III and reports to the Director of Student Success.

Job Duties

• Targeted Performance Advising: Deliver proactive, interactional academic advising for Freshman and Sophomore Band students, creating "academic roadmaps" that account for heavy rehearsal schedules, travel, and classic "Battle of the Bands" season commitments.


• N.A.D.O.


• Case Management: Provide intensive monitoring for N.A.D.O. Program participants and students on academic recovery. This includes weekly or bi Talladega College Position Description Form weekly check-ins to track progress, attendance, and the implementation of academic success plans.


• Degree Progression & Registration: Navigate students through the registration process, ensuring they meet general education requirements and understand the specific GPA benchmarks required to remain eligible for Band participation and federal financial aid (SAP).


• Academic Intervention Teaching: Instruct Student Success courses (as needed) specifically designed for students in academic recovery, focusing on the cognitive and non-cognitive skills required for collegiate persistence.


• Holistic Coaching: Address root causes of academic struggle by providing direct coaching in time management, note-taking, and test‑taking strategies.


• Coordinate specifically with the Band Director to align academic expectations with performance schedules.


• Integrated Referrals: Serve as a bridge to Talladega College Student Affairs, counseling, financial aid, and disability services. Ensure N.A.D.O. students are utilizing mandatory tutoring and writing center resources.


• Data & Compliance: Maintain meticulous records of student interactions and progress in accordance with FERPA. Monitor "Early Warning" reports to intervene before mid‑term grades are finalized.


• High-Impact Advocacy:


• Remain current in high-impact practices (HIPs) regarding HBCU student retention, at‑risk student intervention, and the specific needs of first‑generation students.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in education, Counseling, or a related field preferred; Bachelor's degree required.


• Experience: 2+ years of experience in academic advising, student success coaching, or higher education administration.


• Specialized Knowledge: Demonstrated commitment to working with "at‑risk" populations and students from diverse socio‑economic backgrounds.


• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills; must be able to communicate effectively with students, faculty, and the Department of Music/Band leadership.


• Technical Skills: Proficiency in student information systems (SIS), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel), and database management.


• Preferred: Prior experience with Band/Fine Arts programs or working with "bridge" programs for conditionally admitted students.


• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.