Learning Skills Specialist

**Salary Range: **

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA), housed within the Office of the Provost, is dedicated to promoting the academic achievement, personal growth, and overall success of all SMU Division I student-athletes. ADSA provides a comprehensive system of academic support designed to help student- athletes successfully balance the demands of collegiate athletics with their academic responsibilities.

Through its intervention program, ADSA offers a range of individualized support services, including literacy specialists, peer tutoring, executive functioning coaching, and academic skill development. These services are designed to address the diverse learning needs of student-athletes by strengthening skills in reading, writing, organization, time management, study strategies, and self-advocacy.

Our mission is to empower student-athletes to achieve their highest potential both in the classroom and in competition by providing the resources, guidance, and support necessary for long-term academic and professional success.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Learning Skills Specialist supports the academic success of SMU student- athletes by providing individualized academic coaching, teaching evidence- based learning strategies, and implementing targeted interventions that promote academic achievement and personal development.

Working collaboratively with Academic Counselors, and the Learning Support Team, this position assesses student learning needs, delivers individualized and small-group instruction, and helps students strengthen executive functioning, study skills, and self-advocacy.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct individualized and small-group academic coaching sessions with assigned student-athletes, providing instruction in reading comprehension, note-taking, test-taking strategies, time management, executive functioning, organization, and other evidence-based learning strategies. Monitor student progress and promote accountability through consistent follow-up and documentation.

• Assist in administering and interpreting academic readiness and learning assessments for incoming and current student-athletes. Collaborate with the Learning Support Team to develop and implement individualized, data-informed interventions that address identified learning needs.

• Implement individualized learning plans developed by the Learning Support Team by providing targeted instruction in study strategies, executive functioning, memory, concentration, motivation, classroom engagement, and self-advocacy while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

• Meet regularly with student-athletes to reinforce academic expectations, review progress toward learning goals, and communicate recommendations and updates to members of each student's learning team (academic counselors, etc.).

• Guide student-athletes through the Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) process by assisting with accommodation requests and promoting the effective use of approved academic accommodations.

• Maintain regular communication with Academic Counselors, Literacy Specialists, tutors, and other members of the Learning Support Team regarding student engagement, attendance, academic progress, and recommended interventions to ensure coordinated support.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of student interactions, assessment results, instructional strategies, accommodations, and academic progress. Ensure student records remain current and facilitate communication among members of each student's learning team.

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to learning support, executive functioning, higher education best practices, culturally responsive teaching, and NCAA academic support initiatives. Apply emerging research and instructional practices to enhance student learning outcomes.

• Assist in day-to-day functions of the tutor program; including but not limited to, the conduction of tutor observations, feedback, & training of tutorial techniques to enhance student-athlete learning opportunities.

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to learning support, executive functioning, higher education best practices, culturally responsive teaching, and NCAA academic support initiatives. Apply emerging research and instructional practices to enhance student learning outcomes.

• Working on occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays to provide academic support will be necessary.

• Occasional travel for professional development may be expected.