Learning Specialist

As a Learning Specialist, you'll be tasked with implementing and evaluating a mentoring and coaching program designed to assist students who face academic challenges. Your responsibilities will include providing counseling and support to these student-athletes, organizing and assessing the effectiveness of the program, and collaborating closely with various community stakeholders such as the Associate Athletics Director of Academic Services, Deans, staff and faculty.

To excel in this role, you'll need a strong educational background, preferably with a bachelor's degree in education, counseling, psychology, or a related field. Additionally, extensive knowledge of learning concepts and educational theory will be essential for designing effective support strategies. Your interpersonal skills will play a crucial role in providing the necessary guidance and assistance to students, and strong communication skills will be vital for conveying information effectively to both students and other stakeholders.

Moreover, your ability to think critically and collaborate effectively will enable you to assess the needs of students and tailor support programs accordingly. Proficiency in computer technology will also be valuable for implementing digital resources and tools to enhance the learning experience. Overall, your role as a Learning Specialist will be pivotal in ensuring that student-athletes receive the support they need to succeed academically within the university environment.

Responsibilities:

• Provide intensive academic support and learning assistance to specific student-athletes (e.g. individual study skills instruction).

• Coordinate the Academic Tutoring Program for student-athletes: hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluating tutors.

• Coordinate the Academic Mentoring Program: hiring, training, and evaluating Academic Mentors.

• Conduct intake assessments on student-athletes to identify areas of academic strengths and weaknesses.

• Teach a section of USU 1730, Strategies for Academic Success.

• Work collaboratively with student services departments (e.g. Disability Resource Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Academic Success Center, etc.), faculty, and other campus personnel to obtain resources and services for student-athletes.

• Provide consistent and frequent feedback to Academic Coordinators concerning the progress of identified student-athletes.

• Evaluate and assess learning programs on frequent basis.

• Other duties as assigned by Associate AD of Student-Athlete Academic Services.

• Provide learning assistance as needed on evenings and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, or related field.

• Experience in teaching or counseling a culturally diverse population at the university or high school level (can be part of the two years of minimum experience listed above).

• Strong commitment to academic and personal integrity.

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.

• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, or related field.

• Knowledge of disability regulations and laws associated in higher education.

• Experience working with student-athlete populations at the university level in an academic capacity.

• Experience teaching learning strategies and developing academic intervention strategies at a university level to enhance learning for academically under-prepared students and students with learning disabilities.