"Academic Support Specialist for Undeclared Health Sciences (UHS) Students"

Academic Support Specialist for Undeclared Health Sciences (UHS) Students

Company:
La Salle University

Job Location:
Philadelphia, 19141

Category:
Academic Advising

Type:
Full-Time

Department: 292400 - Academic Achievement

Position Summary

Reporting to the Lead Student Success Coach in the Center for Academic Achievement, the Academic Support Specialist for UHS Students supports Undeclared Health Sciences students from the time of enrollment through the students' transition to a declared major. The responsibilities of the Academic Support Specialist for UHS Students range from providing one-on-one guidance and support to implementing a scaled set of interventions designed to enhance student success, increasing the potential for each student to persist and graduate. This individual aids students with the development and achievement of their goals by providing academic advising, assistance with preparing schedules for registration, and coaching for success. She/he/they also collaborates continuously with key offices on campus to connect students to resources across the University and within the community.

Essential Duties

Academic Advising

• Serve as an academic advisor for students in the UHS Program.
• Coordinate the registration process for students and assist with course selections.
• Monitor students' academic progress in alignment with Nursing Major requirements and provide individual guidance corresponding to performance.
• Provide information and guidance regarding the Nursing major, as well as alternative major options, making referrals as needed.
• Assist students with understanding academic policies and procedures.
• Conduct advising workshops for students.

Academic Support and Success Coaching

• Communicate with students face-to-face and via email, phone, text, Zoom, and Starfish to establish rapport, encourage accountability, provide support, and aid in the transition to college.
• Coach students on topics such as academic planning, time management, study skills, engaging in the campus community, managing financial aid, identifying co-curricular opportunities, utilizing student services, self-advocacy, and timely degree completion.
• Conduct group coaching sessions as an additional form of outreach and support, complementing one-on-one meetings.
• Support students experiencing academic difficulty at midterm; assist them in identifying reasons for their academic difficulty and developing individual and scaled support strategies.
• Connect students to academic and non-academic resources, as needed.
• Collaborate with instructors to provide outreach and early interventions to students identified by Starfish flags.
• Provide outreach to students who are on academic warning and probation and assist them with identifying barriers to success and strategies for improving academic performance.
• Assist students with understanding University policies and procedures, and with completing the new student checklist.

Data Tracking & Communication:

• Document all communications with students and maintain accurate and organized reports on interactions including emails, meetings, texts, and phone calls, as well as referrals made.
• Track students' progress and performance, individually and collectively.
• Collect and report on data including grades and milestones achieved.
• Observe and track student trends, and suggest corresponding interventions and strategies, as needed.
• Establish a multi-channel communication strategy to maintain connections with all UHS students.
• Utilize Starfish and Degreeworks for appointments, communications, documenting student meetings and notes, and following up with relevant stakeholders.

Collaboration & Programming:

• Collaborate with departments across campus to ensure that students receive information and support related to financial aid, academic advising, career development, academic support, academic accommodations, health and wellness, campus engagement activities, etc.
• Contribute to events (e.g., orientation) and workshops that support student success.
• Work closely with the assistant deans, Students of Concern team, and other relevant stakeholders to share information in support of student success.
• Partner with other academic support specialists to share relevant information and strategies.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Work with schools and other stakeholders to enhance student participation in high-impact learning experiences, such as undergraduate research, internships, and service learning.
• Participate in orientation and other college wide enrollment events
• Participate in relevant higher education organizations to stay current on best practices and drive improvements.
• Contribute to the ongoing establishment of a student-centered culture of thriving.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Lead Student Success Coach.

# of Direct Reports: 0

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience advising, mentoring, or tutoring college students.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, and demonstrated ability to cultivate effective relationships with a wide range of individuals (faculty, administrators, staff, students, and family members).
• Strong technology skills and organizational abilities, including effectiveness in utilizing a variety of applications to communicate, schedule, obtain information, and record data and other insights.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and be sensitive to the needs of diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to adapt to change and work in a fast-paced environment, responding well under pressure.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of La Salle University.
• Must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as well as with all university procedures and policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, psychology, social work, or a related area.
• Three to five years of work experience in higher education, preferably with health sciences students.
• Demonstrated experience in leveraging passion for student success into measurable outcomes.
• Knowledge of best practices for student retention and prior work with underserved student populations.
• Understanding of student development theory and current success coaching methodologies.
• Ability to assess performance and outcomes and thrive in a high accountability environment.
• Demonstrated success in providing friendly, high quality customer service.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

• Some evening and weekend hours may be required.

Special Instructions to Applicant

La Salle University is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek candidates who will contribute to a positive, inclusive, and supportive community, and who are committed to working collaboratively with students, fostering critical thinking, supporting their success, and helping them realize their full potential.

La Salle University offers its eligible employees comprehensive medical and dental plans, employer paid life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays), and tuition benefits such as no cost undergraduate and graduate degree programs for its employees (with no wait period) and no cost undergraduate degree programs for its employees' dependents (after completing the required years of service).

Application Open Date: 12/23/2025

Application Close Date: 01/12/2026

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