Assistant AD for Academic Success
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
The Assistant AD for Academic Success serves as a key member of the executive leadership team for athletics. The position will have a dual report between athletics and academic affairs. The primary responsibility of the position is to lead the academic support initiatives for student-athletes and collaborate with support staff in BEAR Central (Belonging, Equity, Access and Retention) - the student success office on campus - and the registrar's office to promote student-athlete eligibility, student persistence and degree completion. The position will also assist the Vice President for Athletics with the overall athletics strategic planning, implementation, administration and execution of strategic initiatives.
Duties and Tasks
- Serve as a liaison between athletics and academic affairs (including BEAR Central and the Registrar's Office) and the faculty athletic representative for the primary purpose of enhancing academic success of student-athletes.
- Coordinate with BEAR Central staff to serve as a secondary academic advisor to student-athletes to ensure progress toward degree requirements.
- Ensure a smooth transition for students through the college experience, from first-year advising to college and major advising.
- Participate in orientation, recruitment and retention activities as a representative of the BEAR Central team and athletic department, including activities that require evening and weekend work.
- Coordinate with BEAR Central staff to lead the enhancement, growth and administration of a Supervised Study Program for student-athletes that are identified as having academic difficulties or are at risk.
- Hire and supervise staff for study hall sessions for identified student-athletes.
- In collaboration with BEAR Central, oversee the development and implementation of athletic departmental policies and procedures related to academic support and monitoring.
- Assist the Assistant AD for Compliance.
- Educate student-athletes about various academic policies/rules, NCAA rules and regulations, educational requirements and departmental rules and regulations.
- Educate faculty and academic advising staff on all NCAA progress toward degree requirements.
- Monitor with coaches academic success, progress toward degree and academic intervention plans when necessary.
- Review and utilize available data about student-athlete's academic and educational needs, performance, aspirations, retention and persistence in order to:
- Coordinate with BEAR Central staff to develop academic success and intervention plans for student-athletes who are at risk.
- Collaborate with BEAR Central staff to support student-athletes who are struggling academically to refer them to appropriate resources.
- Communicate at risk reports, study hall attendance, mid-term grades and other concerns to Head Coaches and Sport Supervisors.
- Assist the athletic department with administrative support for coaches, student-athletes and staff.
- Assist the Vice President for Athletics on the development and implementation of new strategic initiatives.
- Provide support to Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete academic honor society.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the vice president for athletics, provost or their designees.
- Required to work non-traditional hours at times (evenings and weekends).
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Bachelor's degree required, master's degree or multiple years of relevant experience preferred.
- Experience in higher education athletics administration preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA Division II rules and regulations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in academic support services as promoted by N4A.
- Demonstrated ability to relate will to a diverse population of faculty, staff, students and parents, including underserved populations and first-generation students and parents.
- Demonstrated skills in teamwork and collaboration across campus units.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Experiences with developing policy and procedure.
- Ability to function effectively in pressure situations.
- Critical thinking and strong problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors.
Female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.