Wingate University is a teaching-focused institution serving more
than 3,600 students across two campuses. Located on a beautiful
500+ acre main campus, Wingate offers a close-knit, supportive
community where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive. As an
Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Wingate is committed to
fostering an inclusive environment and welcomes applicants who are
excited to join our mission and make an impact. Learn more at
University in Charlotte, NC | Quick Facts About
Wingate . The mission of Wingate University is to develop
educated, ethical and productive global citizens. Following its
Judeo-Christian heritage, the university seeks to cultivate the
following in its students: Faith, Knowledge and Service. The
University’s Mission statement can be found
here.
Position Summary:
The Student Development & Independent Living Specialist is a
professional staff member
responsible for designing and implementing the student development
model for Julia’s
Learning. Working as part of a three-person professional team, this
position leads the
Program’s efforts to help students build independence, executive
functioning, social
competence, self-advocacy, and adult living skills through
individual coaching, experiential
learning, and authentic campus and community experiences.
This position serves as the program’s subject-matter expert in
student development and
transition to adulthood, partnering closely with the Director and
Campus Support
Coordinator to ensure students make meaningful progress toward
individualized goals.
Reports to: Director, Julia’s Learning
Works collaboratively with: Campus Support Coordinator, student
mentors, faculty, campus
partners, families, and community organizations.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Regular, predictable attendance on campus
- Alignment with University mission, vision, and strategic
roadmap
- Student Development: Design and implement individualized
student development plans; provide one-on-one coaching; help
students develop executive functioning, problem-solving,
decision-making, emotional regulation, communication, and
self-advocacy skills.
Independent Living: Develop learning experiences related to
meal planning, cooking, apartment management, budgeting,
transportation, personal wellness, organization, and daily
routines.
Curriculum & Program Development: Work alongside the
Director in the development and continuous improvement of Julia’s
Learning curriculum focused on college success, employment
readiness, community engagement, and independent adulthood.
Mentor Development: Train and coach student mentors to
reinforce independence rather than create dependence; provide
strategies for supporting neurodiverse learners.
Assessment & Outcomes: Measure student growth, maintain
progress documentation, recommend program improvements, and partner
with the Director on individualized success plans.
Campus & Community Integration: Create authentic learning
opportunities through campus employment, student organizations,
volunteerism, recreation, and community participation.
Other job duties/responsibilities may be assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in
occupational therapy rehabilitation counseling, special education,
psychology, counseling, disability services, human development,
recreation therapy, or a related field.
- Three or more years of experience supporting adolescents or
young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
autism, or other neurodiverse populations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of executive functioning,
transition-to-adulthood, independent living instruction, and
person-centered planning.
- Experience developing curriculum, coaching individuals, and
collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication
skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Background in occupational therapy or OT-informed practice is
highly desirable, but professional licensure is not required.
- Passion for higher education and inclusive college
experiences.
- Innovative, collaborative, and strengths-based approach to
student development.
- Ability to design systems and learning experiences that foster
increasing independence.
What Success Looks Like:
- Students demonstrate increasing independence across academic,
residential, social, and employment settings.
- Student mentors consistently reinforce skill development.
- Julia’s Learning maintains a high-quality, evidence-informed
student development model.
- Families and campus partners view the program as preparing
students for successful adult lives.
Benefits & Employee Experience:
Wingate University is committed to supporting employees both
personally and professionally through a comprehensive benefits
package and a collaborative campus community. Full-time employees
are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement
plan with institutional contribution; paid time off and holidays;
tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents; and access
to campus facilities, wellness resources, and professional
development opportunities.
Application Instructions:
Thank you for your interest in joining the Wingate University
community. Please complete all sections of the application and
upload all required documents. A résumé is required for all
positions, and a curriculum vitae (CV) is requested for faculty
roles or other positions where applicable.
Special Instructions:
If a previous school, employer, or organization does not appear in
the dropdown menu, please remove that section using the trash can
icon and upload the relevant information in your application
materials instead. This will insure your application moves forward
without delay.
In compliance with applicable law and University policies,
Wingate University prohibits discrimination in its employment
practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical
conditions, sexual orientation or gender identity), age, genetic
information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified
candidates across all group demographics to apply. At this time, we
are currently seeking candidates with legal authorization to work
in the U.S.
