Director, Academic Success Program

University of Akron•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Director, Academic Success Program teaches relevant law courses and leads the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of programs that promote academic success, professional skill development, and bar readiness for law students. The role draws on expertise gained through legal practice, legal education, or related professional experience to help students strengthen legal analysis, critical thinking, writing, problem-solving, and exam performance skills. The Director leads student success initiatives, mentors and coaches students, and implements data-informed strategies to support retention, academic achievement, and professional development in a collaborative and inclusive learning environment that supports diverse learning styles and prepares students for legal practice. The position requires a Juris Doctorate and law licensure, along with at least two years of experience in legal practice, legal education, teaching, academic support, or a related field. The Director directs and monitors Academic Success Fellows, peer tutors, student assistants, and other assigned personnel. The position is physically comfortable, normally involving seated work with discretion to walk or stand, occasional lifting of very lightweight objects, and up to 40% use of a PC terminal. Work is expected to be performed in Ohio. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Review of applications begins November 18, 2026.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree.
Law licensure.
At least two years of experience in legal practice, legal education, teaching, academic support, or a related field.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience gained through private practice, judicial clerkships, government service, or other legal settings is highly valued.
Prior bar preparation instruction is preferred.
Demonstrated success in developing programs, mentoring or coaching individuals, improving performance outcomes, and supporting at-risk or underperforming populations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and manage student success initiatives supporting law students from matriculation through graduation and bar examination preparation.
Teach academic success and skills-development courses covering legal analysis, legal writing, critical thinking, professional judgment, exam-taking strategies, and other competencies for law school and legal practice.
Use practical legal experience and professional competencies to provide student coaching, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities.
Provide individualized counseling, academic coaching, and development planning, including for students experiencing academic or performance-related challenges.
Design and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and other programming for academic success, professional readiness, and bar examination preparedness.
Develop and implement early assessment tools, targeted interventions, and evidence-based strategies to improve performance, retention, and student success outcomes.
Use legal, industry, and educational best practices, as well as emerging technologies, to enhance learning, engagement, and student support.
Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate Academic Success Fellows, peer tutors, student assistants, and other assigned personnel.
Collaborate with faculty, administrators, legal professionals, and other stakeholders to integrate academic and professional skill development throughout the law school curriculum.
Track, analyze, and report student performance metrics and program outcomes; identify trends, assess effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
Partner with the Director of Bar Success to align academic support initiatives with bar preparation and licensure success goals.
Serve on committees and working groups focused on student achievement, retention, professional development, curriculum enhancement, and strategic initiatives.
Build and maintain relationships with members of the legal profession and external partners to identify best practices and support student success.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean, Associate Dean, or Professor of Academic Success.