Academic Specialist, English

Pitt Community College•Main Campus, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under limited supervision, the Academic Specialist, English serves as a member of the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) team and is responsible for designing, implementing, and delivering comprehensive academic support services that promote student persistence, academic achievement, retention, graduation, and successful transfer to four-year institutions. This position collaborates with program administrators, faculty, coordinator of developmental english, and campus stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that enhance the academic success of first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities. The Academic Specialist provides individualized academic advising, mentoring, tutoring, instructional support, and success coaching to eligible TRIO participants while serving as the program's primary content expert in English, writing, reading, and communication. The incumbent is responsible for identifying tutorial needs, coordinating academic support services, facilitating workshops, monitoring participant progress, maintaining accurate participant records, and ensuring compliance with U.S. Department of Education TRIO regulations. In addition to TRIO responsibilities, the Academic Specialist teaches up to two Developmental English courses annually (Fall and Spring semesters), utilizing evidence-based instructional strategies that support student learning and college readiness. The TRIO Student Support Services Program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education through a five-year grant cycle. This position is contingent upon annual reauthorization of federal funds. Continued employment is subject to the availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in English, Writing, Reading or related field; OR a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with 18 semester hours in English, Writing, Reading or related field
At least two (2) years of teaching experience
At least two (2) years of experience working with low-income/first-generation students
At least two (2) years of experience advising or counseling individuals toward degree completion
Ability to network and collaborate with campus stakeholders in support of program goals and objectives.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, often ambitious/demanding environment while maintaining agreed-upon work schedules and deliverables.
Ability to interpret and evaluate theories of the field or discipline taught.
Ability to provide high-touch outreach and development of program participants.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and establish trust with program participants and liaisons
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present information effectively in group settings and one-on-one interactions.
Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
Cultural sensitivity and awareness of the challenges faced by individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive academic support, individualized learning strategies, and success coaching to assigned TRIO participants.
Coordinate tutorial services for participants enrolled in TRIO Student Support Services.
Tutor participants individually and in small groups in English, writing, reading, communication, grammar, literature, and other related subjects.
Conduct academic assessments to identify participants' strengths, challenges, and tutorial needs.
Develop individualized academic success plans that support persistence, academic achievement, and degree completion.
Monitor participant academic performance and implement timely interventions for students experiencing academic difficulty.
Encourage the development of effective study habits, reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing proficiency, and communication skills.
Conduct participant intake, orientation, and onboarding activities for newly admitted TRIO students.
Maintain regular contact with assigned participants through advising appointments, outreach efforts, and follow-up communications.
Support participant retention, persistence, graduation, and transfer initiatives through comprehensive case management.
Recruit, recommend, and collaborate with tutors to address identified academic support needs.
Monitor tutoring effectiveness and participant progress through ongoing assessment and documentation.
Maintain accurate tutoring schedules, attendance records, and service documentation.
Develop, coordinate, and facilitate engaging academic success workshops covering topics to include but not limited to Academic Writing, Essay Development, Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Mechanics, Research Skills, Communication Skills.
Assess workshop effectiveness through participant evaluations and learning outcomes.
Teach up to two Developmental English courses annually (Fall and Spring semesters).
Maintain complete and accurate participant records in accordance with federal TRIO regulations and institutional policies.
Utilize Management Information Systems such as Blumen, Watermark (or equivalent), Colleague, Live Excel reports, Microsoft 365, and other institutional technologies to document services and evaluate participant outcomes.
Collect, analyze, and report participant data related to tutoring utilization, workshop attendance, advising contacts, academic progress, persistence, and graduation.
Ensure participant documentation complies with U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements and institutional standards.
Maintain participant confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and college policies.
Promote and participate in TRIO-sponsored events, cultural enrichment activities, recruitment initiatives, orientations, and student success programming.
Participate in institutional committees, departmental meetings, and collaborative initiatives as assigned.
Represent the TRIO Program professionally throughout the college and community.
Remain current in English instruction, developmental education, student success strategies, TRIO regulations, instructional technology, and higher education best practices.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of TRIO Programs.