SS Pro 4-Academic Program Svc

The Associate Director of Academic Resources is a dynamic and student-centered role that leads the development of supplemental student academic support at the undergraduate level, including the design and implementation of a peer tutoring center and the redesign of our undergraduate academic assistant (UAA) program. This role has a high level of autonomy to execute the vision set forth by University of Minnesota Rochester leadership, so the role is ideal for an innovative educator who values a students-as-partners approach to academic support. The successful candidate will steer strategic direction and execution of the design, implementation, and assessment of key initiatives that enhance student learning and success outcomes across the campus, in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff.

Key Responsibility Areas
Design & Implementation (40%)

• Lead a group of student partners to design and implement a sustainable model for a peer tutoring center that fosters a developmental and agency-based approach to student support, particularly for first-year students who have disengaged from more traditional forms of self-regulated learning and student support
• Provide visionary leadership to redesign UMR's undergraduate academic assistant (UAA) program in collaboration with student partners and faculty to integrate UAAs into courses effectively while meeting the needs of disengaged students.
• Provide strategic leadership in collaboration with students to co-create additional academic support structures that align with the evolving educational needs of UMR students.

Program Leadership & Coordination (40%)

• Recruit, train, and mentor student design partners.
• Recruit, train, and mentor peer tutors and UAAs, with an emphasis on an open and transparent application and hiring process that emphasizes teacherly skills
• Create sustainable, student-run frameworks for peer-led academic support, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.
• Oversee strategic direction and execution of projects in which student partners to develop educational materials and ongoing professional development opportunities for student educators

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Partner with students, staff, faculty, and administration to integrate peer support into courses and academic programs.
• Lead strategic collaboration among the Center for Learning Innovation, student affairs, and university leadership to champion and advance student-driven learning initiatives that enhance institutional impacts.
• Engage in Drive the advancement of peer-led learning strategies by leveraging research- based practice to evaluate the effectiveness of academic resource programs.
• Partner with the Senior Disabilities Resource Coordinator to support accommodation needs

Assessment & Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Leverage qualitative and quantitative data to assess the impact of tutoring and UAA programs, with a particular but not exclusive focus on first-year students.
• Regularly refine and enhance academic support services based on student and faculty feedback.
• Lead institutional initiatives focused on student success and short-term and long-term retention across the institution.

Work Location and Schedule
This is a full-time position which requires 40 hours per week, 10 - 12 months per year. Work must be performed in-person at the UMR campus, in accordance with the Work Location Guidelines.

Required

• BA/BS degree plus at least five years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least three years of relevant experience.

Preferred

• Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D.) in a relevant field, or a Master's degree in education, student affairs, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of evidence-based teaching and learning strategies.
• Experience designing or managing peer-led academic support programs.
• Strong commitment to inclusive and student-centered learning models.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in a students-as-partners framework.
• Experience working in academic writing support.
• Background in faculty development, curriculum design, or educational assessment.
• Familiarity with learning management systems and academic technology tools.
  

Our Vision is to transform higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the 21^st century. In this vibrant context, students are at the center of all we do - including faculty research focused on the efficacy of educational innovation. By offering a distinctive health sciences education, UMR prepares students for a broad spectrum of career pathways including patient care; resilience, wellbeing and mental health; health care research and discovery; global health and public policy; emerging health technologies; and the business and leadership of healthcare.

In its second decade of serving students, the campus community currently serves more than 900 undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of downtown Rochester. Through creative partnerships, this campus continues to grow in size and influence.

At UMR, relationships and research drive student success. Our strategic growth plan has been aligned with the University of Minnesota System strategic plan (MPact 2025) establishing key metrics and aspirations and a new strategic plan is underway. Learn more about UMR.

Pay Range: $70,000 - $78,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

• recommend submitting a resume and cover letter

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)

At the University of Minnesota Rochester, our vision is to transform higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the twenty-first century. UMR prepares students for a broad spectrum of career pathways including pre-med and patient care; psychology and mental health; business and leadership; health technology; public policy and global health; and research, discovery, and cures.

The campus community serves almost 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of downtown Rochester and continues to grow in size and influence through creative partnerships. At UMR, relationships and research drive student success. Learn more about UMR.

The University of Minnesota is proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022-24).