Academic Success Specialist

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think care create and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse sustainable and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching scholarship and practice.

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest with campus locations inForest GroveHillsboro and Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live work teach and acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Academic Success Specialist will serve Pacific University Oregon by providing academic support for Pacific students. The Academic Success specialist will work with Pacific students faculty and staff to conduct research outreach intake and follow-up with students related to academic progress and work with the Academic & Career Advising team to improve what we do (e.g. communications programs and systems) to facilitate student success. The Academic Success Specialist will study and implement best practices related to helping students reach their educational goals. They will assess student campus and community assets and needs related to academic progress and provide academic coaching mentoring and instructional support on an equitable basis. The goal of the position is to develop and improve systems needed to ensure all students are able to reach their educational goals.

This is a temporary 11-month position (anticipated August 1 2025-June 30 2026).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Foster persistence and completion by providing case management support specifically to the academic early alert process.
• Communicate with students via email phone and text messaging.
• Track and analyze data related to student academic progress.
• Support instructional activities related to integrated college success and career development curriculum
• Build relationships with students faculty staff and community partners related to individual students and academic success programs.
• Develop communication materials and an outreach strategy to improve student awareness of and access to existing programs and supports for academic success.
• Identify best practices around supporting academic success and begin to implement systems to provide academic support services at sustainable and equitable levels.
• Enhance and expand academic support programs at Pacific in partnership with the Academic & Career Advising team.
• Facilitate academic success workshops and/or conversations in both classroom co-curricular and virtual spaces.
• Assist with student success courses such as PACU 280 Unlocking your Academic Success
• Mentor and guide Pacific students related to academic success strategies to support their academic goals.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Participate in staff meetings and related office functions or events.
• Provide occasional ad hoc program support related to project goals.
• Represent Pacific at community meetings.

JOB SCOPE

The Academic Coach will perform duties independently and as a member of the unit team with guidance and supervision from the Director of Academic & Career Advising. The position entails supporting existing and new programs. Decisions are made within general university policy constraints but occasionally require independent decision making. Mistakes/errors may result in poor relations with campus or community constituents negative impact on student success or decreased ability for the unit to fulfill its mission all of which can have negative financial implications for the university.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

This position may supervise student workers or interns as needed for project management communications or coordination purposes.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications:

• 18 years and older
• Must have at least an Associates Degree or equivalent credits
• Demonstrate a commitment to or willingness to practice equity and equality for all races and backgrounds.
• Ability to pass a criminal history background check
• Must possess a valid drivers license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project and/or event coordination experience
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office software
• Experience conducting and utilizing research (e.g. interviews focus groups surveys)
• Demonstrates commitment to working with students from varied backgrounds representing a spectrum of identities/ experiences as well as our community partners.
• Bilingual English/Spanish

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS

• Communicates with students faculty staff and the public appropriate to the age of the individual served.
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Asks questions and seeks assistance.
• Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
• Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all students faculty and staff.
• Maintains proper appearance and personal conduct for the employees particular job.
• Uses effective communication skills taking into consideration body language filters listening paraphrasing and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships students staff and faculty.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Desire to work directly with undergraduate students.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be willing to work occasional weekends and evenings. Occasional local travel may be required.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES/ REQUIREMENTS

This position is considered sedentary and requires the application to be comfortable with talking and listening/ hearing.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply please upload your resume and cover letter along with your Paycom application. Persons who do not follow and complete the application process are not applicants and will not be considered for employment.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.

Offers of employment at Pacific University are contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

At Pacific University we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic holistic equity-minded and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

We who make up Pacific University aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust civility care openness and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems through an asset-based mindset so that every one is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected their contributions are valued and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:

• Generous paid time off (for vacation holidaysincluding winter breakand sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Annual 9% retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• Employer-paid life short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
• On-campus benefits including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food bookstore purchases clinic services and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks snowshoes and bikes)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race color national or ethnic origin ancestry age religion or religious creed disability sex gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation military or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include but are not limited to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the Age Discrimination Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way Forest Grove OR 97116 or via email at .