Academic Skills Specialist

Categories: Great Lakes Region 5

Department:

College of Applied Health Sciences

Institution:

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Date Posted:

Jan 10 2025 3:37PM

Close Date:

Jan 29 2025
 

Position Description

The College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) at the University of Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement focusing on health and wellness across the lifespan. AHS’ research, teaching, and service programs seek to improve the quality of life of people of all ages and cultures, promote the development of healthy communities, and help people with disabilities live full and independent lives. AHS has nationally recognized units in their fields and is home to the Departments of Kinesiology and Community Health; Recreation, Sport and Tourism; and Speech and Hearing Science. One of the college’s top priorities is to provide strong academic advising services to its undergraduate students. AHS is looking for a dynamic individual to provide support, resources, and career and academic coaching for students freshman through senior year.

Duties

  • Meet regularly with students, and work with each student individually on an academic success plan and portfolio. Coach and counsel approximately 100 AHS freshman, sophomores, and transfer students. These meetings continue in a monitoring capacity through Senior year.
  • Aid students in career exploration, graduate school searches, and volunteer and research opportunities.
  • Listen to student interests and based upon these interests support our advising staff in making students aware of courses, extracurricular opportunities, internships, and full-time opportunities that are pertinent to student goals.
  • Serve as the co-instructor to the I-LEAP AHS 199: Orientation course.
  • Assist in recruitment of new students through admissions events, programs and workshops.
  • Share knowledge of I-LEAP and majors within AHS.
  • Work closely with college advising staff and faculty on various projects.
  • Assist with college-wide retention efforts.
  • Develop and coordinate workshops and seminars on transitional and campus life issues by reviewing program goals and then develop materials or identify guest speakers who can present/teach/facilitate sessions; tracks participation and evaluates student satisfaction with the workshops and seminars.
  • Serve as a liaison between AHS and other campus units such as Office of Minority Student Affairs and the Access and Achievement Program to share best practices, explore common issues, identify areas of potential partnership and reduce likelihood of redundancy in services. Report findings to Director.
  • Participate in summer registration, and fall orientation by promoting the program to parents and prospective students, meeting with students to explore academic interests, assist in computer lab as students develop fall schedules.
  • Promote the development of academic study skills amongst I-LEAP students through intrusive one-on-one and group student interactions. (e.g. time and stress management, test taking tips, test anxiety, academic integrity, etc.).
  • Assist with the coordination and development of retention strategies and persistence; contribute to various campus-wide retention efforts. In bi-weekly meetings with the director, meet to review numbers, feedback from evaluations, and discuss student issues.The Academic Skills Specialist is front line with the students and can speak to barriers that may be hindering student persistence and retention.
  • Assist in planning annual spring break trip and other special programming. Accompany and co-facilitate programming and trips which could include driving as well as participation in activities. Hours of work will include some weekends and evenings.

Application Process

Applications must be received by Wednesday, January 29 at 6:00 pm (Central Time) at https://jobs.illinois.edu. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and three references.

Institution Information

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign is a Big-10 school located in a diverse micro-urban community within a 2-3 hours drive of Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.

Additional Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date of the search. The salary range for this position is $48,000.00 to $52,000.00. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.

Contact Information

For further information about this specific position, please contact AHS HR at [email protected].

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

Master's degree, Educational training and experience in counseling, higher education administration, or education.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated direct experience with academic advising and academic coaching in a higher education setting.