Academic Development Specialist

Ithaca College•Ithaca, NY

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Academic Development Specialist provides academic advising, developmental coaching, and student-success support to promote academic progress, persistence, and degree completion. The Specialist helps students navigate academic requirements, policies, institutional processes, and support resources, and collaborates with campus partners to address barriers to success. The position also contributes across Academic Support Center functional areas, with primary assignments determined by departmental needs and subject to change over time. Core work includes advising and coaching students, connecting them with campus resources, maintaining confidential records, supporting academic recovery and policy processes, and collaborating with faculty and staff on student interventions, advising practices, academic planning, onboarding, and transition. Depending on functional assignments, the Specialist may oversee peer educator and student employee programs; coordinate student outreach and communications; develop and assess student engagement programming; or conduct assessment and analysis related to student success, persistence, and retention. The position is primarily performed in an office setting, with regular use of a computer and standard office equipment and regular movement between campus locations. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. The position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. The hiring rate is $62,353.20. Employment is contingent upon review of a criminal background check. Visa sponsorship is not provided.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and at least three years of experience in student academic services or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of academic advising principles and student success practices.
Knowledge of how to support academically at-risk students.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to establish effective and appropriate working relationships with students while maintaining professional boundaries.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential and accurate records.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Commitment to innovation, continuous learning, and effective use of technology.
Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and persistence in supporting student success goals.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Direct experience working with academically at-risk students.
Experience with developmental, appreciative, or related student-centered advising approaches.
Experience recruiting, training, or providing work direction to student employees.
Experience using student information systems, customer relationship management platforms, website content management systems, and Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
Experience with Banner, Slate, Drupal, or similar higher education systems.
Ability to learn, interpret, and communicate complex academic policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Advise, coach, and support students regarding degree requirements, academic policies, course registration, academic progress, personal development, and strategies for academic success.
Help students identify, understand, and access campus resources and support services that promote retention, persistence, academic achievement, and degree completion.
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners on referrals, support strategies, and barriers affecting student success.
Maintain accurate records and documentation and handle sensitive student information confidentially.
Monitor academic performance indicators and assist with outreach and interventions for students experiencing academic difficulty.
Support students with academic status, satisfactory academic progress, appeals, reinstatement, and related recovery processes.
Coordinate with faculty and staff on academic concern and intervention processes.
Support the review, implementation, and communication of academic policies and procedures.
Collaborate with academic and administrative partners to promote consistent, efficient, student-centered practices.
Develop resources and guidance supporting faculty advising, academic planning, and student success.
Collaborate with campus partners on academic content and programming for student onboarding and transition.
Participate in professional development and support departmental initiatives, projects, committees, and activities.
Recruit, train, coordinate, and assess peer educators and student employees, as assigned.
Guide student employees and provide training and professional development; support peer tutoring and coaching initiatives and assess service utilization and effectiveness.
Coordinate student outreach and communications, including targeted outreach about academic milestones, institutional processes, and support initiatives.
Develop and maintain digital and print communication materials and campaigns that encourage student action and connection to services.
Develop, coordinate, implement, and assess workshops, educational programming, initiatives, and resources supporting student learning and academic success.
Promote Academic Support Center services through marketing, outreach, and educational campaigns; contribute to online resources for students and faculty advising.
Conduct assessment and analysis related to student success, persistence, and retention; develop, monitor, analyze, and communicate key performance indicators, trends, and findings.
Coordinate surveys and collaborate with internal and external partners on retention initiatives and analytics.
Develop and maintain knowledge of advising practices, student development, institutional policies, and technologies that support student success.