| Detailed Description: |
Supports the University of San Diego's efforts to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community and preparing leaders who are dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service. Works to deliver an extraordinary scholar-athlete experience while supporting and developing the personal, educational, physical, mental and spiritual well-being of scholar athletes.
The Associate Athletic Director for Academics serves as a member of the Athletics Senior Staff and assists the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics program in establishing and implementing strategies and measurable objectives that achieve the parallel goals of advancing quality, competitive athletics programs and supporting the educational goals, holistic development and health and wellness of scholar-athletes.
Provides leadership in the administration, oversight, management and policy development for a comprehensive academic analysis, academic support, tutoring, and mentoring program for student-athletes in all Division I athletic programs at USD.
Uses expert knowledge of current institutional, NCAA, WCC, and affiliated conference legislation, policy and procedures. Responsible for the direct oversight of staff as well as programming to support academic success identified by retention and graduation of student athletes. Analyzes complex student cases and develops solutions regarding NCAA initial and continuing eligibility.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Oversee all aspects of Athletic Academic Support:
- Lead and evaluates departmental efforts in services and programming for scholar- athletes in academics.
- Leads efforts, along with the Compliance department, to prepare and submit progress towards degree and initial eligibility waivers for student-athletes.
- Responsible for evaluating and reviewing NCAA initial eligibility and continuing eligibility for prospective student-athletes in conjunction with compliance, admissions, and office of the registrar. Identify at-risk incoming student-athletes based on academic profiles upon enrollment to assess academic preparedness and determine the level of academic support needed for each student-athlete.
- Supervise and equip a staff of academic counselors to be effective and excel in their roles by providing information, guidance, direction and ongoing training necessary to exceed expectations
- Recognize and celebrate academic and athletic excellence; recommend and nominate scholar-athletes for scholarships and awards, including but not limited to WCC Scholar Athlete of the Year, WCC Postgraduate Scholarship and USD’s Alcala Award
- Plan and execute annual Celebration of Excellence (academic and athletic achievements) President’s Luncheon for Scholar Athletes (academic ceremony) and Graduation Ceremony for Scholar-Athletes
- Represent the department and serve as liaison to the university community and conference office. Actively participate on USD, WCC and NCAA committees
- Maintain and revise the Scholar Athlete Handbook on an annual basis
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President/Executive Director for Athletics or Deputy Director of Athletics/COO
Leadership and Personal Development:
- Provides leadership and personal development opportunities to scholar-athletes, shaping who they are and who they aspire to become
- Promotes the highest levels of achievement in the classroom, within teams, and in life
- Gather campus integration data via scholar-athlete participation in student organizations and clubs (academic/professional, multicultural, religious, Changemaker, etc.) to increase involvement in educationally purposeful activities and help expand the capacity of athletes to perform in leadership roles
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
- Welcomes the unique contributions that individuals bring in terms of their education, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, spirituality, socio-economic status, ability, family status, veteran’s status, experiences, opinions, and ideas to help build and support diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives
- Reads professional literature to stay current in the field; seeks opportunities for continual professional development
Academic Counseling:
- Oversee the academic progress from matriculation to graduation of all 17 Division I sports and scholar-athletes; work directly with a cohort of students as with a focus on academic achievement, personal development and graduation
- Serves as primary contact for all scholar athletes as it pertains to academics
- Provides one-on-one academic counseling. Counsel students on academically related matters to include degree planning, satisfactory progress, academic eligibility, selection of major(s) and minor(s), fulfillment of core and major requirements, course scheduling and sequencing, and arranging appropriate academic timelines leading to graduation
- Meets with designated athletes from assigned sports regarding course expectations outlined in syllabus, academic progress in each class, including performance on assignments, quizzes, tests, papers, projects, class attendance, etcetera; develop plans to foster individual potential and success.
- Assesses individual student learning, motivation, attitudes and classroom behaviors to determine appropriate intervention strategies. Work to enhance time management, organizational skills, learning and study strategies, note taking, and other habits necessary for academic success
- Monitors academic progress of scholar athletes through in-person appointments, telephone contact, text messages, e-mails or routine contact with faculty
- Recognizes academic and personal challenges; cultivates change and desirable outcomes
- Coordinates periodic academic progress reports and grade checks each semester at the five and twelve week mark; distributes academic progress reports to coaches, academic counselors and athletic administrators. Meets routinely with academic staff to collaborate and share ideas, information and problem solve
- Briefs head coaches and staff on scholar-athletes at odds with maintaining satisfactory academic progress or academic eligibility concerns as well as plans to resolve issues based on data and thoughtful analysis
- Communicates with sport facilitators and head coaches regarding student athletes’ progress toward degree to ensure that athletic aid recipients complete their degrees within four years or within eligibility
- Introduces academic resources and services, shared information related to academic support to scholar athletes at annual orientation, eligibility and compliance meetings
- Collaborates with the Director of Compliance on establishing initial eligibility and certify continuing eligibility; helps compile information for Graduate Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate reports.
- Makes referrals to other campus offices and departments (Center for Student Success, Center for Health and Wellness Promotion, Counseling Center, International Center, Dean’s Office, etc.) as appropriate
- Presents academic information and services for the recruitment of student-athletes; meet individually with prospective student-athletes and parents to discuss academic programs and academic support services
Other:
- In collaboration with each head coach, lead the creation, execution and metrics of success for program’s vision planning, strategy and ongoing assessment efforts
- Promotes an atmosphere for compliance by maintaining a working knowledge of NCAA, West Coast Conference, Pioneer Football League, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rules and regulations
- Completes required annual USD Compliance Training (Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Workplace Harassment Training) in a timely manner
- Seeks interpretations from the compliance staff before acting when necessary; reports potential rules violations immediately; and monitors all areas and/or programs activities closely to maintain compliance with applicable rules and regulations
Special Conditions of Employment:
- Ability to work nights and weekends are required
- Ability to work all year round and some holidays as required
- Ability to travel with teams when required
- Successful completion of required background checks
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
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| Job Requirements: |
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- Four years of full-time experience working in intercollegiate athletics and/or cumulative experience related to the above description required
- Working knowledge of NCAA Division I rules and regulations required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling preferred
- Five or more years of full-time experience working in Division I athletic academic support preferred
- Supervisory experience preferred
Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Experience with coordinating programs and activities; organizational and program management skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Experience in both short and long range planning and the ability to focus on administrative details
- Must be able to work collaboratively and effectively with other staff, scholar athletes, coaches and administrators
- Must be able to work in time sensitive, fast-paced and demanding environment.
- Ability to manage a high volume of workload during the academic year
- Ability to learn and navigate University software (e.g., Banner, Degree Works, Salesforce, SAP Concur, Workday, etc.)
- Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet software programs
- Interpersonal skills to be able to work effectively with scholar-athletes, staff, coaches, and administrators
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Heartsaver CPR /AED certification required. Must have this certificate within 6 weeks of employment.
- California driver’s license required within 6 weeks of employment
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