Administrative & Student Support Specialist

University of Akron; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

Job summary

The University of Akron is seeking an experienced administrative professional to assist the Department Chair or School Director in coordinating day-to-day academic operations and programs. You will serve as an information resource for faculty, staff, and students, handling inquiries, admissions processes, scheduling, and budgeting.

The role requires strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with experience in higher education environments.

Qualifications

• Provides information and guidance on department’s academic activities to students, faculty, and staff.
• Manages admissions, registration, financial aid processes, and scholarships per procedures.
• Assists with course scheduling, enrollment, and review of transfer credits.
• Maintains confidential academic records, generates reports, and supports program events.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the Department Chair/Director’s calendar and prepare documents.
• Organize filing systems and databases; coordinate travel and projects.
• Support department budgets, procurement, and purchasing activities.
• Assist with personnel processes and staff/student records as needed.
• Provide leadership to nonexempt staff and supervise workflow.

Skills

Administrative support

Communication

Customer service

Data handling

Education

18 months education beyond high school

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet

Database software

Web CMS

ERP system

Job description

Assist Department Chair or School Director in coordinating the day-to-day academic operations and programs for the department while providing advanced administrative support to Department Chair or School Director. Serve as an informational resource to faculty, staff and students answering inquiries, providing information and resolving problems.

Essential Functions:

• Provide advice, counsel, and information regarding department’s academic activities to student, faculty, or staff. Perform tasks and provide information regarding graduate and undergraduate admission, registration and financial aid and scholarship processes, following standard procedures with basic interpretation of policies that may include processing and reviewing admission applications, credentials, and decision; registration, course evaluation, evaluate transfer coursework and degree completion; process, notify and monitoring student scholarship and scholarship application. Assist with creating and monitoring of course and classroom scheduling and enrollment. Analyze, maintain, and monitor confidential academic paperwork, records, and databases. Create reports to provide information for decision making purposes and to distribute as needed. Assist with coordinating various student related programs and events hosted by the department.
• Serve as administrative support to the Department Chair or School Director by providing and overseeing services such as maintaining the Department Chair or School Director’s calendar; preparing and proofreading documents; organizing and maintaining paper and electronic filing systems and databases; coordinating travel arrangements and coordinating projects. May assist with support of departmental website.
• Support daily departmental business, including monitoring department and program budgets; obtaining and maintaining inventory of equipment, services, and supplies; administers departmental purchasing activities; authorizes limited expenditures. Assist with the employment process and maintain departmental personnel records, coordinate position searches and other personnel matters (may include but not limited to appointments/changes, faculty load reporting, part-time faculty reasonable assurance memos, Personnel Action Forms, and student employment processes). Assist with department events, conferences, and make travel arrangements as needed. May serve as building coordinator and work with PFOC and locking systems as needed.
• Oversee department administrative staff and students by providing functional guidance to ensure smooth workflow. Provide guidance in creating and revising departmental policies and procedures. Perform other job-related duties as needed by the Department Chair or School Director.

Additional Position Information:

Education: Requires 18 months of education or training beyond high school.

Experience: Requires a minimum of 4 years experience in office/clerical procedures with preferably 2 years in a higher education or similar environment.

Advanced computer knowledge relating to word processing, spreadsheet, and database software packages. A working knowledge or ability to learn web content management software, enterprise resource planning system, and other systems or application used within the department.

Ability to use and retrieve information from databases to perform daily job duties required.

Ability to coordinate programs, work in a fast-paced environment, and utilize new technology required.

Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and research skills required. Ability to maintain and monitor budgets required. Effective verbal and written communication skills are required.

Leadership: Functional guidance over nonexempt staff including general scheduling, assigning tasks and monitoring work activities.

Physical Requirements: Job is physically comfortable; individual is normally seated and has discretion about walking, standing, etc. May occasionally lift very lightweight objects.

Working Conditions: No major sources of working conditions discomfort, standard working environment with possible minor inconveniences due to occasional noise, crowded working conditions, minor heating/cooling or ventilation problems, and/or up to 40% use of PC terminal.

Compensation: This is a Union position with a salary Grade of SBU-110. Salary determination is subject to the SBU Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Application Deadline: August 28, 2026

FLSA Status (exempt/nonexempt): United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Union Affiliation (if applicable): Staff Bargaining Unit

Background Check Statement The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, all offers of employment with The University of Akron are contingent upon verification of credentials, and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional credit investigation and a pre-employment driving record search.

Non-Discrimination Statement The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

State of Residence Statement It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio.

The University of Akron empowers our people to flourish by delivering an applied and community-connected educational experience and cultivating research excellence. Leveraging our passion and expertise, we create innovative academic opportunities, support the well-being of our students and employees, and prioritize community embeddedness and engagement to impact lives through transformative experience. Through this focus, UA aspires to be the leader in community-focused higher education. The University of Akron is a lifelong learning partner, recognizing and valuing diverse learning experiences and combining traditional classroom experiences with innovative and robust approaches. As Zips, we prioritize the well-being of our students and employees, cultivate a culture and community where all can flourish, and act as responsible stewards of our resources and infrastructure by leveraging data to differentiate our processes and systems. We leverage our urban campus as a responsive and reliable partner to identify and meet the needs of the region. We intentionally contribute to economic and workforce development and civic life through research, innovation and engagement to provide community-embedded experiential learning opportunities that will enhance the UA experience for all students. We welcome candidates who are passionate about shaping and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, experts, artists and leaders. For more information about The University of Akron or the Akron community please visit our About UA page.

The University of Akron offers a competitive total compensation package comprised of a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, and paid leave of absences including time off for illness, vacation, and maternity or paternity leave. In addition, eligible employees and their dependents are provided tuition remission. All staff and eligible non-bargaining unit faculty have the option to request a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA). The University of Akron participates in state retirement systems and offers alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions. Optional investment opportunities are available including deferred compensation programs (403(b) and 457(b)). Please visit our benefits home page for more information.