Learning Specialist - Educational Affairs

Penn State University; United States; On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Penn State College of Medicine seeks an experienced Learning Specialist to provide individualized academic support, develop evidence-based learning interventions, and collaborate with faculty and student affairs professionals to promote student success throughout the medical education curriculum.

The role includes assessing learning needs, designing workshops and online modules, and managing the mandatory Student Success Program for at-risk students with weekly coaching and progress reviews.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with six+ years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Significant experience providing academic coaching and learning support services.
• Experience designing educational programming and student success initiatives informed by learning science.

Responsibilities

• Assess students’ learning needs and help them develop effective, evidence-based study strategies.
• Develop workshops, seminars, and online learning modules to promote active learning for diverse learners.
• Design and manage the mandatory Student Success Program for students at academic risk, with weekly meetings and progress reviews.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs, Educational Affairs, and college leadership to facilitate referrals to tutoring, counseling, disability services, and career advising resources.
• Support faculty development through workshops and educational programming; maintain FERPA-compliant records.
• Collect, analyze, and report program data to inform continuous improvement and coordinate events such as orientation and transitions programs.
• Perform other duties including occasional travel between campuses and evening meetings.

Skills

Learning strategies

Academic coaching

Educational interventions

Collaboration

Communication

Student support

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D./Ed.D.

Job description

Position Specifications

Penn State College of Medicine seeks an experienced and student-centered Learning Specialist to join our dynamic team of medical educators and academic support professionals. The Learning Specialist will provide individualized academic support, develop evidence-based learning interventions, and collaborate with faculty and student affairs professionals to promote student success throughout the medical education curriculum. This position will report to the Associate Dean for Student Assessment and Program Evaluation.

Student Learning Support and Academic Coaching

Assess students’ learning needs and help them develop effective, evidence-based learning and study strategies. Maintain expertise in innovative educational practices, learning science, instructional technologies, and resources that support student success. Develop and facilitate workshops, seminars, and online learning modules that promote active learning and effective study strategies for diverse learners. Identify and support students experiencing academic difficulty through individualized academic assessments and coaching. Develop personalized study and remediation plans, including measurable goals, timelines, and progress monitoring. Establish clear expectations for academic performance and monitor student progress toward achieving academic success.

Student Success Program

Design, implement, and manage the mandatory Student Success Program for students identified as academically at risk. Enroll students in the program following three borderline grades or one Did Not Meet (DNM) performance designation. Evaluate the need for disability accommodations and facilitate appropriate referrals when warranted. Conduct weekly individual meetings with participating students. Review and provide feedback on required weekly study plans. Review at least one student-generated study product each week and provide targeted coaching and recommendations. Monitor student progress and determine continued participation in the program. Support students in the program until they achieve a passing score above borderline on their next summative assessment.

Collaboration and Student Support Services

Meet regularly with Student Affairs and Educational Affairs teams to support student success initiatives. Collaborate with College of Medicine leadership and support services to facilitate referrals to tutoring, counseling, disability services, society advisor coaches, and career advising resources.

Faculty Development and Program Administration

Assist in the recruitment, training, and development of peer tutors and attend peer-led tutoring sessions as appropriate. Collaborate with leadership to design and deliver faculty development workshops, consultations, and educational programming. Maintain student records and documentation in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Collect, analyze, and report programmatic data to identify trends in student needs and inform continuous program improvement. Support student-focused events and activities, including orientation, transitions programming, graduation, and related functions. Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Additional Requirements

Occasional travel between the Hershey and University Park campuses may be required. Participation in occasional evening programs or meetings may be necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s, Ed.D., or Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, Educational Psychology, Adult Education, Learning Sciences, or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in assessing learning skills and diagnosing barriers to effective learning. Significant experience providing academic coaching, counseling, or learning support services to undergraduate, graduate, or professional students in STEM disciplines. Experience supporting medical students or other health professions learners preferred. Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and student affairs professionals. Experience developing educational programming, workshops, and student success initiatives informed by learning science and educational research.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Master's Degree 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required Certifications: None.

Background Checks / Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $78,444.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

About Penn State

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.