ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Position Summary

The Academic Development Specialist provides academic advising, developmental coaching, and student success support to promote academic progress, persistence, and degree completion. The position assists students in navigating academic requirements, policies, institutional processes, and available support resources while collaborating with campus partners to address barriers to student success.

In addition to these core responsibilities, the Academic Development Specialist develops and maintains the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute across Academic Support Center functional areas. The Specialist is assigned primary responsibility for one or more functional areas based on departmental needs. Functional assignments may evolve over time.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Student Support

• Advise, coach, and support students regarding degree requirements, academic policies, course registration, academic progress, personal development, and effective strategies for academic success.
• Assist students in identifying, understanding, and accessing campus resources and support services that promote retention, persistence, academic achievement, and degree completion.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to facilitate referrals, coordinate support strategies, and address barriers affecting student success.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation while handling sensitive student information with appropriate confidentiality.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of advising practices, student development, institutional policies, and emerging technologies that support student success.

Academic Recovery

• Monitor academic performance indicators and assist with outreach and intervention efforts for students experiencing academic difficulty.
• Support students navigating academic status, satisfactory academic progress, appeals, reinstatement, and related recovery processes.
• Coordinate with faculty and staff to facilitate academic concern and intervention processes that support student retention and degree completion.

Academic Policy, Process, & Support

• Support the review, implementation, and communication of academic policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative partners to promote consistent, efficient, and student-centered practices.
• Support the development of resources and guidance that support effective faculty advising, academic planning, and student success.
• Collaborate with campus partners on academic content and programming that supports student onboarding and transition.

Professional & Community Engagement

• Participate in professional development activities to strengthen knowledge of advising, student development, higher education trends, and student success practices.
• Support departmental initiatives, projects, committees, and activities as assigned.

Functional Area Contributions

In addition to core student support responsibilities, Academic Development Specialists are expected to develop and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute across the Academic Support Center functional areas described below. Specialists will be assigned primary responsibility for one or more functional areas based on departmental needs. Assigned areas may change over time, and employees are accountable for the responsibilities associated with their current assignments.

Peer Educator & Student Employee Programs

• Recruit, train, coordinate, and assess peer educators and student employees, including peer tutors, peer success coaches, and front-line student ambassadors.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, training, and professional development opportunities for student employees.
• Support peer tutoring, coaching, and related student success initiatives while assessing service utilization and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to strengthen peer-supported learning opportunities.

Student Outreach & Communication

• Coordinate student outreach and communication initiatives that support engagement, awareness of academic requirements, and utilization of support services.
• Conduct targeted outreach related to academic milestones, institutional processes, and student support initiatives.
• Develop and maintain communication materials and campaigns, including digital and print resources, that encourage timely student action and connection to support services.

Student Engagement & Programming

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and assess workshops, programming, educational initiatives, and resources that support student learning and academic success.
• Promote awareness and utilization of Academic Support Center services through marketing, outreach, and educational campaigns.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of online resources that support student success and faculty advising.

Success & Retention Assessment

• Conduct assessment and analysis related to student success, persistence, and retention.
• Develop, monitor, analyze, and communicate key performance indicators, trends, and assessment findings to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate surveys and collaborate with internal and external partners on retention-related initiatives and analytics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree and a minimum of three years of experience in student academic services or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of academic advising principles and student success practices.
• Knowledge of how to support academically at-risk students.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to establish effective and appropriate working relationships with students while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential and accurate records.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Commitment to innovation, continuous learning, and effective use of technology.
• Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and persistence in supporting student success goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master''s degree.
• Direct experience working with academically at-risk students.
• Experience with developmental, appreciative, or related student-centered advising approaches.
• Experience recruiting, training, or providing work direction to student employees.
• Experience using student information systems, customer relationship management platforms, website content management systems, and Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
• Experience with Banner, Slate, Drupal, or similar higher education systems.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and communicate complex academic policies and procedures.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office setting and requires regular use of a computer and other standard office equipment. The position requires regular movement between campus locations for meetings, programs, student appointments, and other work-related activities. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support programs, events, outreach initiatives, and other position responsibilities.

Inclusive Excellence

Ithaca College is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive community. Employees are expected to treat others with dignity, value diverse perspectives, and contribute to a culture of belonging and collaboration.

This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Rate: $62,353.20

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:

• Healthcare including vision and dental
• Generous Paid Time Off Policies
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution
• EAP
• Flexible Work Plans
• Educational Benefits
• Career-Enhancing Trainings
• For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State's scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger's as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator, Linda Koenig, at lkoenig@ithaca.edu or 607-274-7761. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu