Professional Academic Coach - Academic Success Center - UTK

The Professional Academic Coach provides proactive and intentional academic and social support for UTK new first-year students. Academic coaches will build meaningful relationships with an assigned number of first-year students. Coaches will assist each student by helping them to develop and understand their strengths and co-create an academic success plan to meet their unique goals and enhance their well-being. Through the use of data and referrals from faculty and staff, coaches promote persistence by identifying and providing strategic outreach to students who may need short-term or long-term intrusive academic support. Academic Coaching meetings focus on helping each student holistically understand their strengths and identify ways those strengths can support their academic goals and well-being. Coaches may provide support through various strategies: time management, learning strategies, goal-setting, and targeted referrals to campus resources, including resources which deepen, enhance, and maximize the student's UT experience. Coaching sessions may take place both in a structured, office environment and also in less-structured locations across campus, meeting students in high-traffic, convenient locations. In addition to engaging with students and maintaining their caseload, the Professional Academic Coach will assist with the maintenance and response to Academic Alerts, using multiple forms of communication to connect with students in their caseload. Academic coaches will also help the ASC leadership team with the day to day operations of the center.

ACADEMIC COACHING:

• Provide academic success coaching (time management, goal setting, study skills, learning strategies, resource referrals, etc.) to transfer student populations; assist students in the resolution of academic problems; teach students strategies for learning.
• Assist with administration of Academic Alert program and conduct routine communication, outreach, and programming for students on alert.
• Assist in case management for first-year students in need of additional academic support.
• Provide academic support for second year and beyond students who are in need of additional resources and / or academic strategies.
• Review student academic transcripts in preparation for student meetings to better assist students in progressing to graduation.
• Develop and use extensive knowledge of UTK policies (academic and others) to help students navigate academic choices and improve student persistence.
• One-on-one meetings with students at the ASC office to develop learning and life strategies that promote academic success.
• Group student-focused activities outside of the office to promote social integration to UT.
• Developing skills in time management, managing freedom, goal setting, creating study plans, preparing for tests, and other academic success skills and strategies; developing critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving, and inter-and intra-personal skills to result in deeper learning, enhanced well-being and improved success in the classroom
• Establishing and strengthening connections to the campus community, and helping students maximize their options and opportunities at UT.
• Participate in student-facing campus events to develop connections with their students.
• Employ case-management and other academic software, such as Banner and Salesforce, to document coaching sessions and communication with students

SUPPORT IN ASC INITIATIVES:

• Develop, implement, and assess ASC and division programs and initiatives as the office grows to meet the needs of the campus community.
• Assist with assessment activities as requested.
• Participate in campus wide outreach activities, including campus requests, Admissions browse sessions, and transfer orientation programs.
• Engage students at new student orientations, open houses and recruitment events.
• Actively pursue professional development opportunities.
• Use other standard office software to communicate with staff and develop program materials.
• Attend weekly leadership and department meetings.

CASE MANAGEMENT OUTREACH AND CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT:

• Communicate routinely with their caseload of transfer students, via in-person as well as electronic forms of communication.
• One-on-one informal sessions with students outside of the office to develop deeper connections with their students.
• Group coaching sessions to promote academic success.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree with one year of relevant experience (includes any background in academic coaching, advising, teaching, mentoring, or support services, within education or in other people-centered fields) or master's degree with no experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Knowledge of student academic support

• Skill in providing student academic support

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
• Master’s Degree
• Knowledge of learning strategies, academic intervention and support.
• Experience:
  • Experience in higher education

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Skills in developing learning strategies for students in need of additional academic support.
• Abilities in Advising, first-year studies program delivery, or learning disabilities experience.
• Excellent presentation and outreach skills.

Work Location

• University of Tennessee Knoxville
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR 08
• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $49,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!