About Alvernia University:Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country. Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for developing the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education. JOB SUMMARY: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The position might require other support-related activities.An Academic Learning Specialist is responsible for providing and/or connecting students to academic supports at Alvernia's instructional site and virtually. The role serves as a liaison for all services offered by Alvernia's Academic Success Center and reports to the Director of Academic Support Services. The Learning Specialist will oversee a Success Suite where students can access a variety of supports especially responsive to the needs of graduate and adult education students. Training based on the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) standards is provided. The position requires flexibility during Monday-Thursday afternoons, with evening and weekend appointments as needed.Hours: 12 hours per week, Fall and Spring semestersLocation: In-person and Online, Based at Pottsville CollegeTowne, 500 Progress Ave., Pottsville, PA 17901ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:1. Respond to student and instructor inquiries for learning assistance with course content, executive functioning skills, educational accommodations, technology, effective learning strategies, and accessing University resources.2. Create an inclusive, accessible, and informative environment in the Success Suite for students and faculty seeking learning assistance.3. Promptly enter informative notes and maintain records of all support sessions in our scheduling/advising programs.4. Connect students to Academic Support Services for one-on-one tutoring or study groups, both in-person and online, including but not limited to:
Make appointments with Peer or Professional Tutors.Help with writing assignments, library and research services.Tutor in the Specialist's subject area of expertise, if applicable.5. Serve as a primary point of contact for students for the Office of Accessibility Services and facilitate compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable federal and state regulations pertaining to accommodation and accessibility needs of people with disabilities, including but not limited to:
Assist with the application and term request for accommodations process.Ensure appropriate processes are in place to implement ADA accommodations for students.Proctor all ADA-accommodated testing for students based on their approved accommodations.Report information to the Director of Accessibility Services.6. Connect students to Multilingual Success services, including but not limited to ESL resources and language assistance with papers and presentations.7. Promote Academic Success Center services and programs to students and faculty at the instructional site, especially during orientations and admissions events.8. Communicate collaboratively with directors, course instructors, and staff to ensure student success.ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complete ongoing professional development related to tutoring, academic coaching, accessibility, inclusivity, and college student success.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings and some weekends, if necessary.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Success for GAE or Director of Academic Support Services.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Commitment to the mission statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and two years related experience or equivalent.Experience working with adult learners from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.Proficiency in Microsoft Office365 applications, a Learning Management System, and Zoom.Excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and technology skills.Demonstrated high degree of professional reliability, self-initiative, and appropriate utilization of resources.Flexible work hours as required by university or student needs, such as weekend and evening hours.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION:
- Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
- Previous work experience in a post-secondary writing or learning center or expertise in tutoring, advising, teaching, or academic coaching.
- Expert knowledge or experience with best practices regarding equity and inclusion of people with a disability, from low-income households, or first-generation in college.
- Expert knowledge of ADA, Section 504, and other federal, State, and local laws pertaining to the rights of people with disabilities.
- Excellent writing skills and proficiency in the academic writing process and citation styles, esp. MLA and APA.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Physical presence in Pottsville CollegeTowne building.Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.*Pay is commensurate with experience.*Alvernia University is an equal-opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values. All employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability. Alvernia University strives to be a community that is supportive of diverse perspectives and identities and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities.