Academic Program Coordinator, Center for Disabilities Studies

University of Delaware•Newark, NJ

About The Position

The Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) is seeking an Academic Program Coordinator for its Spectrum Scholars initiative, a college-to-career program within the Transition & Employment unit. This role focuses on supporting matriculating students on the autism spectrum by providing comprehensive, person-centered coaching to improve their success in academics, social engagement, self-advocacy, career exploration, and executive functioning. The coordinator will deliver direct coaching services, document sessions, implement evidence-based strategies, and build relationships with campus partners. Additionally, the role involves supporting other CDS postsecondary transition programs, including pre-college initiatives like Edge and the College Readiness Scholars Institute. The coordinator will also contribute to creating a more autism-friendly campus through workshops, trainings, and consultations. This is an independent position requiring collaboration with staff, students, families, faculty, and external agencies. The position is 100% grant funded.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, higher education/student affairs, rehabilitation, social work, psychology or other related human services discipline.
Minimum of three years’ experience working with high school and/or college students with disabilities.
Experience providing academic coaching to college students.
Experience with program development.
Effective problem-solving skills.
Effective time management working within structured timelines.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Ability to develop and maintain confidential files and records.
Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Additional training related to autism, including but not limited to applied behavior analysis preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide one-on-one comprehensive coaching to an identified group of students on the autism spectrum.
Support summer programming for Spectrum Scholars including Spectrum Scholars Summer Orientation, New Student Orientation advising meetings, Edge, and College Readiness Scholars Institute.
Co-facilitate weekly peer mentor meetings.
Deliver certified Peer Education curriculum to peer mentors.
Serve as contact/resource between participating students and key campus partners, including the Offices of Disability Support Services, Academic Enrichment, Counseling Center, University faculty, among others.
Develop and deliver resources, including workshops, trainings, pamphlets, webinars, etc. around issues related to autism, coaching, and student success.
Identify and implement evidence-based strategies in coaching, related broadly to areas of executive functioning, transition to postsecondary education, social networking, and academic success.
Assist with ongoing development of coaching procedures and protocols, including editing of Spectrum Scholars coaching manual.
Manage all aspects of caseload documentation, including notes, collection of student & program data, follow-through support, etc. with a high degree of sensitivity and confidentiality.
Assist in the creation and delivery of pre- and post-college student activities, such as recruitment, orientation, alumni gatherings, as well as other university-based programs (e.g., Edge).
Assist with the writing of student and program summary reports related to coaching, coaching model, and Spectrum Scholars program.
Participate in center-wide activities with CDS, including submission of project-specific data to the NIRS database.
Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.