Academic Support Specialist

uchicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking an Academic Support Specialist to provide subject matter skill development and academic support to undergraduates. You will help students thrive in coursework, coordinate with faculty and staff, and contribute to growth mindset and inclusive practices on campus.

Under the guidance of the Assistant Director, you will design lessons, meet students, manage referrals, and maintain records while supporting the ARC's mission to partner with the college community.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• FERPA familiarity and ability to manage confidential information are required.

Responsibilities

• Designs and delivers engaging, customized lesson plans and workshops for undergraduates needing academic skill development and support.
• Meets regularly with students facing academic difficulties in various forms, including probation scenarios.
• Receives and provides referrals between campus partners to address each student's unique needs.
• Maintains records and supports in planning and delivering training materials for academic support services.
• Manages a caseload of academic coaching students ensuring timely follow-ups and resource referrals.

Skills

Lesson planning

Student coaching

FERPA familiarity

Data handling

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Box

Google Drive

Workday

Learning management systems

Job description

Department

College Academic Resource Center

About the Department

College Academic Resource Center

Job Summary

Under the guidance of the Assistant Director of Academic Support Services, the Academic Support Specialist provides UChicago undergraduates with the subject matter skill development and academic support needed to thrive in related coursework. The Academic Support Specialist plays an instrumental role in positioning the Academic Resource Center (ARC) as a trusted partner for students, faculty, and staff in the College, relaying timely and accurate information to the appropriate parties so they can succeed in their respective roles.

Responsibilities

• Designs and delivers engaging, customized lesson plans and workshops for undergraduates needing academic skill development and support.
• Meets regularly with students facing academic difficulties in a variety of forms, including but not limited to, students on academic probation or encountering academic challenges while pursuing their coursework in the College.
• Receives and provides referrals between campus partners, addressing each student's unique needs.
• Demonstrates an institutional commitment to forwarding a culture of growth mindset, addressing structural equity gaps in education, and implementing the tools necessary to embrace the spectrum of student learning differences present on campus.
• Assists in the implementation and maintenance of platforms, reports, webpages, and training materials related to academic support services.
• Manages a caseload of academic coaching students to ensure student's receive timely follow-ups and resource referrals.
• Collaborates with colleagues effectively with the goal of collectively providing a high-quality experience for students in the College.
• Represents the office on committees, at meetings, and during events as needed.
• Assists in the overall successful operations of the department.
• Advises students with minor academic difficulties and counseling while responding to queries from faculty, staff and parents.
• Keeps records of student degree programs and notes on student conversations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education:
  • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience:
  • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications:
  • ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Advanced degree in a related field.
  • Subject matter expertise in the Humanities, arts, and social sciences or the physical sciences, especially physics, mathematics, or computer science preferred.
• Experience:
  • 3-5 years of experience in higher education, with emphasis on student-facing responsibilities and academic support.
  • Teaching, including working with students individually within an academic setting.
  • Background in lesson-planning, curriculum design, or supplemental and co-curricular instruction
• Technical Skills or Knowledge:
  • Thorough understanding of student confidentiality under FERPA guidelines and overall familiarity with risk assessment practices.
  • Working knowledge of a variety of technological platforms utilized in higher education, including but not limited to, academic/student information systems and learning management systems.
  • Proficiency utilizing a variety of office resources such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, Box, Google Drive, and Workday.
  • Familiarity with research-based approaches to time management, organization, overcoming procrastination, and learning strategies in higher education.
  • Proficiency collecting and interpreting data on a frequent basis, while troubleshooting and re-calibrating as needed to uphold data integrity.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Sound reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making skills under pressure.
• Intercultural competence and demonstrated equitable and inclusive mindset.
• Work collaboratively, professionally, and effectively with supervisor, colleagues, and other partners for sustained periods of time.
• Lead and/or initiate in a variety of contexts.
• Self-starter disposition, with the capacity to navigate available resources and discern when to consult others.
• Successfully manage concurrent projects and meet competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including editing/proofreading ability.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced office environment.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Occasional evening and weekend work.
• Sit at a computer for 4-6 hours.
• Limited travel for meetings and/or trainings.
• Periodic walking to other campus locations.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.