The Placement Exchange Job Board

General Summary: 

The Assistant AD for Student Athlete Academic Success will be responsible for the design, implementation and operational management of all programmatic academic services for UMass Boston undergraduate student athletes. The Assistant AD for Student Athlete Academic Success promotes the ethical and holistic academic success of all UMass Boston student-athletes by monitoring individual and team academic progress, retention and eligibility. The incumbent will strive to engage student athletes at all levels in academic support services as well as oversee the administration, supervision, and evaluation of all academic athletic services. S/he is responsible for providing a student-athlete focused environment dedicated to guiding student-athletes to graduation, while building positive relationships and enhancing their overall experience. 

Under general supervision and guidance of the Deputy AD for Internal Administration & Operations/SWA and in close collaboration with the University’s Student Equity, Access, and Success (SEAS) departments, and the Academic and Career Engagement and Success (ACES) Center), this person will advise a diverse population of students regarding their academic planning and progress towards degree. This position interprets and explains university academic policy and procedure to assist students in making decisions concerning personal educational goals leading to graduation. This position will assist in the effort to provide comprehensive academic support services for all student-athletes engaged in all of our NCAA Division III Athletic programs at UMass Boston.  

In collaboration with SEAS, ACES, college-based and other advising offices on campus, the Assistant AD for Student Athlete Academic Success is a central resource and support to student-athletes. The Assistant AD for Student Athlete Academic Success will have a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum, academic rules and regulations, and the unique needs of student-athletes. The Assistant AD for Student Athlete Academic Success is responsible for oversight and implementation of the UMass Boston Athletics Academic Policy. This includes but is not limited to, managing a Care Team, advising student-athletes who are not in good academic standing or making satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility (SAP), and working with head coaches and campus academic advisors. The highest standards of integrity must be upheld, and all NCAA, conference, and university policies and procedures must be followed. 

The Assistant AD for Student Athlete Academic Success must be a proficient communicator who is expected to collaborate with faculty, staff, advisors, coaches, and other members of the UMass Boston community. 

This position will also work closely with the Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation (VC for A&R), Head Coaches, and the office of enrollment management, serving in an admissions liaison capacity, to develop and execute best practices in student-athlete recruitment and communication plans in alignment with the University’s strategic enrollment goals and forward-thinking admissions practice.  

Examples of Duties: 

Student Athlete Success  

• In collaboration with the Student Equity, Access, and Success, Academic & Career Engagement and Success Center, Student Affairs, the Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Welfare, and the Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence, develop athletics-specific holistic programming based on feedback from current retention and student experience data around mental health, equity, diversity and inclusion, Title IX, etc.  
• Develop onboarding plan for FY/ Transfer student-athletes to be held first week of classes around Student Academic Success on campus. 
• Work with Faculty Athletics Representative on ways to engage in dialogue with faculty in the areas of student-athlete recruitment, retention and academic success.  
• Collaborate with campus departments and outside vendors on academic success programming for student-athletes 
• Collaborate with Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the advisor on program and projects centered around student academic success 

Retention 

• In collaboration with the Student Equity, Access, and Success, Academic & Career Engagement and Success Center, Student Affairs, the Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Welfare, and the Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence, develop strategies to promote student success around retention that includes but is not limited to academics, overall wellness, mental health, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), etc.  
• In collaboration with campus offices (Student Life, Student Equity, Access and Success, etc.) stay current on campus retention strategies and how athletics can partner in the retention efforts for the institution. 

Academics 

• Lead the planning and organization of a comprehensive learning program for student-athletes, including communication with professors, development and management of mentoring and tutorial needs. 
• Provide coordination of retention initiatives for targeted populations, including probation, undeclared, students with disabilities, transfers, and first-year students. 
• Lead the UMass Boston Athletics Care Team’s monthly meetings to review and discuss student athletes in need of support.  
• Meet with students to provide information and guidance on academic-related issues, such as graduation requirements and exceptions, major exploration, course planning and registration, transfer credit evaluation/substitution or advanced degree requirements.  
• Facilitate students’ academic progress by evaluating their needs and developing appropriate educational plans. Makes referrals to university support services for students who need assistance with overcoming learning obstacles, specialized tutoring, extended or intensive assistance with career decisions or similar needs.  
• Collects and disseminates information to students, faculty and departments about changes in major requirements or University policies and adjusts advising strategies as appropriate.  
• Maintains students’ academic files in the University’s Advising Case Management (ACM) tool that include a record of the advising activity that takes place during each visit.  
• Conduct outreach to athletes who receive early alerts, who have not registered for upcoming semesters, and participate in other ACM campaigns and processes. 
• Supervise mandatory study hall program; manage semester schedule, oversee tracking of study hall hours, maintain regular communication with student-athletes and coaches. Act as the primary contact for all study hall questions, concerns, issues and incidents. Work closely with Athletic Facilities Office and Public Safety for open and closing of the study hall room.  
• Regularly attend university meetings pertaining to changes in academic policy and programs that impact student athletes. 
• Coordinates data compilation, statistical reports and correspondence using dashboards within ACM. 
• Serves on University committees and makes recommendations that affect NCAA eligibility, curriculum requirements, advising processes, program development, orientation planning, welcome day, etc.  
• Ensure appropriate communication and report information to student-athletes as needed to according to university and NCAA academic eligibility guidelines. This information should include but not be limited to the UMass Boston students code of conduct, Title IX compliance and any other UMass Boston athletic department policies as it related to academic life.  
• Serve as the athletics department liaison with faculty, coaches and support units on campus on matters pertaining to the academic progress of student-athletes and their overall success. 
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with university and athletics administrators, coaches, faculty and staff. Coordinate and collaborate with student support offices and departments across campus - the University Counseling Center, the Office of International Student Services, the Writing Center, the Career Engagement and Success Office, the Center for Academic Excellence, Ross Center for Disability Services, and others, and facilitate student referrals as appropriate. Coordinate and collaborate with campus advising offices, deans offices, academic departments and colleges to provide support to student-athletes. 
• Meet with prospects and parents during recruiting visits to discuss the goals, vision, and philosophy of the academic support program.  
• Develop, maintain and update social media outlets to include the student athletes academic page of the UMass Boston intercollegiate website. 
• Frequently review services offered by Student Support Services to remain current with national trends, recent technology, campus policies and NCAA rules. 
• Responsible for creating and implementing a student athlete academic recognition plan. 
• Support registration and academic advising process for student-athletes including review academic records and identify concerns with regard to incoming first-year students, transfer, and continuing student-athletes to ensure student schedules are academically appropriate and in accordance with eligibility requirements and provide pre-and post-faculty academic advising appointment support and assistance for student-athletes. 
• Continually work to improve overall academic success, graduation, and retention rates of student-athletes. 
• Build a student worker program to further support academic success of student-athletes. 
• Provide budget oversight for Student Athlete Success. 
• Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.  

Admissions Liaison 

• Serve as the liaison between Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions and Athletics. 
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, VC for A&R, SWA, and Head Coaches to develop and execute best practices in student-athlete recruitment and communication plans in alignment with the University’s strategic enrollment goals and forward-thinking admissions practice.  
• Maintain statistical data on athletics applicant pool.
• Utilize ARMS as a primary means by which to send and receive prospective and applied student information. 
• Work with Admissions, athletic coaches and administration to ensure ARMS data integrity. 
• Serve as point person on all admissions-related event planning committees 
• Update Athletics Department with pertinent admissions, financial and recruitment event dates and deadlines 

Qualifications: 

A master's degree is preferred in education, academic advising, sport administration, psychology, other areas can be considered. 

A minimum of one year of work experience in an athletic academic support setting is preferred. Familiarity with the industry of college athletics and admissions processes are preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

The candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, advisors, coaches, and other members of the UMass Boston community. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. The ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires quick decision making and timely follow-up with students, coaches and colleagues is essential. 

The candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills. A strong focus on attention to detail is required. 

The candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with SalesForce, ARMS, Canvas, and/or Qualtrics is preferred. Experience with conflict management is a plus. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team is essential. 

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade:34              

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.