Academic Champion (Specialized Population & Academic Recovery Focus)
About The Position
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 Review’s 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. 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.
Requirements
- Master's degree in education, Counseling, or a 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 students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills; must be able to communicate effectively with students, faculty, and the Department of Music/Band leadership.
- Proficiency in student information systems (SIS), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel), and database management.
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience with Band/Fine Arts programs or working with "bridge" programs for conditionally admitted students.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- Provide intensive monitoring for N.A.D.O. Program participants and students on academic recovery. This includes weekly or bi-weekly check-ins to track progress, attendance, and the implementation of academic success plans.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintain meticulous records of student interactions and progress in accordance with FERPA. Monitor "Early Warning" reports to intervene before mid-term grades are finalized.
- Remain current in high-impact practices (HIPs) regarding HBCU student retention, at-risk student intervention, and the specific needs of first-generation students.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
