"Academic Success Specialist, Graduate Students - ASC"

Job Overview

APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. The Academic Success Specialist-Graduate Students position will provide and document holistic academic support for students in graduate programs. This position is funded through the Title V Grant Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions Program and will focus on efforts to increase services, retention, and degree completion for first-generation and low-income graduate students. This is a 12-month, one-year appointment with a possibility for renewal and is currently funded by a Title V Grant, which ends in 2027. This is a full-time position with benefits.

The Academic Success Specialist-Graduate Students will assist with onboarding, persistence efforts, and support students referred through the C.A.R.E.S. system. The Specialist will monitor the academic progress of referred students by coordinating with the students, major/program departments, and other student services offices. The Specialist will be responsible to the Associate Provost for Student Success for providing administrative, programmatic, and technical support with analyses of students' progress, collaborations with campus offices, registration and add/drop coordination, and campus events including or related to academic support services. Finally, Azusa Pacific University supports a diverse student population, which requires the Academic Success Specialist-Graduate Students to have a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, with a particular emphasis on graduate students.

Required Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; Master's degree strongly preferred.

Required Experience

One or more years of staff experience in a client-based, service-oriented environment. Academic advising experience preferred.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

Provide an academic Strengths-Based approach to equip, resource, and guide students in achieving their academic goals. Support onboarding, persistence efforts, and students referred through the C.A.R.E.S. referral system through intrusive academic support initiatives. Connect students with appropriate APU resources (e.g., Writing & Tutoring Center, career services, mental health services, financial assistance, etc.). Collaborate with academic departments to support the development of academic success resources based on identified needs. Liaise with Enrollment Management Services, Student Belonging, and other offices to coordinate and staff campus events that promote graduate and doctoral student success. Develop and implement assessment efforts to identify graduate student needs and to measure the impact of developed programs. Develop and maintain Canvas Success Resource Courses (non-credit). Guide students through the utilization of Canvas and HighPoint to meet program requirements, expectations, and overall academic success. Organize and maintain the office and up-to-date student records. Maintain daily electronic timekeeping to document regular, punctual attendance. Execute projects as assigned by the Associate Provost.

Skills

Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office products. Exceptional oral, written, analytical, interpersonal, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Must be able to keep information confidential. Must demonstrate exceptional multicultural competence. Must be well-organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple tasks concurrently. Ability to focus on details. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks/deadlines. Self-starter with strong management/organizational skills.

Mental Demands

Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion with the ability to work under pressure with many distractions, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines. Ability to interface in a friendly, caring, effective manner with students, parents, faculty, and staff. Ability to work collaboratively with a team. Agree with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students. It is imperative that the Academic Success Specialist-Graduate Students demonstrate a desire to learn about the varying needs of diverse populations, and can appropriately engage, and celebrate the difference of all students we work with.

Physical Demands

Requires repetitive motions and sitting at a computer keyboard. Hearing and speaking on the telephone. Able to conduct business at other offices on campus. Able to lift, bend, grasp, reach, lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally.

Visual Demands

Reading, writing notes, and working with records systems on a computer monitor.

Environment

Pleasant office, comfortable temperature.

Technologies

Proficient in Google Work and Microsoft Office products.

Compensation

Grade 8: $21.44 to $24.66 is the hourly compensation for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about what we believe, our mission statement, and our statement of faith.