Director, Student Access Services

Marymount University•Lexington, MA

4d•$80,000 - $84,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Student Access Services (SAS) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and institutional expertise for the University's disability access and accommodation program. Reporting to the Vice Provost, Academic Affairs, the Director ensures that the University complies with applicable federal and state disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Director serves as the University's primary subject matter expert on student disability accommodations, providing leadership in the interpretation and application of disability law, evaluating complex accommodation requests, overseeing disability documentation review, and ensuring consistent implementation of reasonable accommodations across the institution. The Director collaborates extensively with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Human Resources, General Counsel, faculty, and campus partners to promote equitable access, remove barriers to student participation, and foster an inclusive learning environment. The Director is responsible for departmental leadership, supervision of professional staff, policy development, assessment, compliance, and continuous improvement of disability services in support of student success and institutional effectiveness.

Requirements

Master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Higher Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Education, Social Work, Disability Studies, or a closely related discipline
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in disability services, accessibility, or accommodations within higher education
Demonstrated experience interpreting disability documentation and determining reasonable accommodations
Experience supervising professional staff and managing departmental budget and operations
Extensive knowledge of: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Applicable Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance, Relevant federal and state disability regulations
Demonstrated expertise in the interactive accommodation process, individualized assessment, documentation review, and determination of reasonable accommodations
Ability to balance legal compliance, academic integrity, and student access in complex accommodation decisions
Knowledge of physical, psychological, learning, neurodevelopmental, sensory, and chronic health disabilities
Ability to interpret clinical and psychoeducational documentation and translate findings into appropriate accommodations
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies
Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound professional judgment
Commitment to creating a culture of belonging, accessibility, and student success

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in Psychology, Counseling, Education, Higher Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field
Professional licensure or eligibility for licensure in Virginia
Seven or more years of progressive leadership experience in disability services within higher education
Experience managing ADA and Section 504 compliance programs
Experience responding to Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigations or disability-related grievances
Knowledge of assistive technology and digital accessibility standards
Experience with accommodation management software and electronic record systems
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering professional development programs related to disability access and inclusion

Responsibilities

Serve as the University's lead authority on student disability accommodations and accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations
Interpret and apply disability laws, regulations, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance, and higher education best practices to ensure institutional compliance and equitable access
Oversee the review, interpretation, and evaluation of disability documentation to determine eligibility for accommodations and ensure legally sound, individualized accommodation decisions
Provide consultation and guidance to Accessibility Coordinators regarding complex disability documentation, accommodation requests, appeals, and student situations requiring advanced legal or clinical analysis
Ensure accommodations are implemented consistently, appropriately, and in accordance with applicable legal requirements while maintaining the integrity of the University's academic programs
Monitor evolving legal requirements, case law, regulatory guidance, and professional standards related to disability services and recommend changes to institutional policies, procedures, and practices
Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for Student Access Services.
Collaborate with the Vice Provost, Academic Affairs to establish departmental goals, strategic priorities, operational plans, and annual objectives that align with institutional and Academic Affairs strategic plans
Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental policies, procedures, and service delivery models that promote accessibility, compliance, and student success
Lead departmental planning, assessment, benchmarking, and continuous quality improvement initiatives
Manage departmental resources and ensure effective delivery of disability support services
Supervise, mentor, evaluate, and support professional and graduate staff within Student Access Services
Promote consistent application of disability laws, accommodation practices, and departmental procedures across all staff members
Provide ongoing professional development related to disability law, documentation review, accommodation implementation, emerging disabilities, assistive technology, and best practices
Serve as the primary institutional resource for faculty, administrators, and staff regarding disability accommodations, accessibility, and compliance obligations
Consult with faculty regarding implementation of academic accommodations while preserving essential course and program requirements
Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Residence Life, Information Technology, Human Resources, and other departments to remove barriers to student access and participation
Partner with the Office of General Counsel on complex accommodation matters, disability-related complaints, and regulatory compliance issues
Represent Student Access Services on University committees, including the CARE Team and other institutional committees as assigned
Collaborate with Career Services on transition plans as necessary for students with accommodations to internships and workforce
Develop and deliver training programs for faculty, staff, and campus partners on disability law, accommodation processes, accessibility, inclusive instructional practices, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Promote awareness of disability inclusion and accessibility across the University community
Provide consultation on emerging accessibility initiatives and institutional best practices
Lead assessment initiatives that evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance of Student Access Services
Analyze data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to enhance service delivery and student outcomes
Conduct annual review and revision of departmental policies, procedures, forms, and documentation standards
Participate in cross-divisional initiatives supporting institutional priorities
Perform other duties as assigned