"Life Design Specialist - University College"

Job Details

The Life Design Specialist plays a pivotal role in empowering undergraduate students to forge meaningful connections between their academic and co-curricular experiences. This position is integral to helping students achieve academic, personal, and career success both during and after their time at the university. The Life Design Specialist will assist in creating and delivering both student success curriculum and co-curricular workshops that guide students in self-discovery, critical self-reflection, and developing a strong sense of belonging within the university community. They will also lead the partnership between University College & Discovery Advising.

This role focuses on curriculum oversight, teaching/facilitating, and providing supplemental support to both incoming undeclared students and high-credit students who are still unsure of their academic path. The Life Design Specialist will be instrumental in expanding Life Design initiatives at the university.

Unit: University College

University College exists to support and empower learners of all kinds. We serve every student at VCU, regardless of major or academic home. Our Transformative Learning programs, da Vinci Center for Innovation, Shift Retail Lab, and Life Design initiatives are open to all.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Life Design Specialist plays a pivotal role in empowering undergraduate students to forge meaningful connections between their academic and co-curricular experiences. This position is integral to helping students achieve academic, personal, and career success both during and after their time at the university. The Life Design Specialist will assist in creating and delivering both student success curriculum and co-curricular workshops that guide students in self-discovery, critical self-reflection, and developing a strong sense of belonging within the university community. They will also lead the partnership between University College & Discovery Advising.

This role focuses on curriculum oversight, teaching/facilitating, and providing supplemental support to both incoming undeclared students and high-credit students who are still unsure of their academic path. The Life Design Specialist will be instrumental in expanding Life Design initiatives at the university.

Core Responsibilities

Curriculum and Instruction:

• Assist with curriculum development for all Life Design courses and workshops
• Teach up to 3 sections/semester of 1-credit Life Design courses in collaboration with the Discovery Advising team in University Academic Advising and the Office of First & Second Year Student Experiences
• Utilize appropriate learning management software to support in-person and/or remote instructional methods
• Assist in developing and delivering “train-the-trainer” sessions to facilitate the use of Life Design activities in courses across the university

Coaching & Student Support:

• Hold office hours to provide additional support for students enrolled in Life Design courses
• Provide additional support to students who transition into Interdisciplinary Studies from the Discovery Program for undeclared students with 60+ earned credits who still feel unsure about their academic path
• Provide appropriate referrals to campus partners (e.g., advising, career counseling, financial aid) and facilitate connections with campus resources, alumni, and other mentors to support personal and career development

Program Leadership and Assessment:

• Lead the collaboration with the Discovery Advising team
• Monitor, track, and provide regular updates on the retention, progression, and campus and community engagement of students
• Utilize appropriate technology, data, and strategies to support university persistence, retention, and four-year graduation goals

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide advising for University College graduate students, as needed
• Participate in ongoing training and development, including participating in a community of practice among others implementing Life Design principles across campus
• Participate in staff meetings, recruitment activities, and various committees, workgroups, and project coordination as assigned

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent training and/or expertise
• 3-5 years of work experience
• 2 years of teaching or facilitation experience
• Experience in curriculum development and/or instructional design
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively as well as autonomously with minimal supervision
• Strong growth mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience in higher education in advising, counseling, teaching, facilitation, coaching, student affairs, or a related field
• Experience in active learning, project-based, and/or inclusive pedagogies
• Certification in or experience with Life Design
• Experience cultivating effective relationships with multiple constituencies, including faculty, students, alumni, parents, and other campus colleagues

Salary Range: $61,200-67,600

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 35224N - Sr Specialist SS 1

Contact Information: Contact Name: Mary Chris Escobar Contact Email: escobarmc@vcu.edu