Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services

This position provides academic services for student-athletes through the Parker Academic Resource Center (PARC) in the Athletic Department. The position reports to the Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Support Services. Duties include but are not limited to academic counseling and academic progress monitoring, coordination of tutoring services for student athletes, enrollment assistance, report generation (grades and statistics, academic awards, etc.), meeting with prospective student-athletes on recruiting visits, and programing for student athletes. This position maintains close liaison with Creighton athletic administrators, coaching staffs, faculty, and campus academic support areas. This position is a 12-month, non-tenure track, exempt position.

• Monitor and support academic progress of student-athletes:
  • Develop strong working relationships with student-athletes to emphasize the value of education and the development of self-reliance and self-confidence.
  • Assist in the development of student athletes in alignment with the mission, vision, and values of Creighton University and the Creighton University Athletic Department.
  • Meet individually with student-athletes to help them develop learning strategies, goal setting, communication skills, and time management skills.
  • Communicate and collaborate with support staff members (sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and counseling) and coaching staffs to identify any potential issues and ensure student athlete is provided appropriate resources and support for academic and athletic success.
  • Utilize the University online course platform to monitor at-risk student athletes, and provide appropriate interventions (study hall, tutoring, meetings, etc.) to address any academic issues.
  • Monitor the academic eligibility and progress towards degree of assigned sports including assistance with class registration, full-time enrollment, percentage of degree credits, grade point average, designation of majors and minors, and all applicable NCAA Bylaw 14 rules and regulations.
  • Coordinate, schedule, and oversee proctoring of exams for all student athletes (other than Men’s Basketball) who miss class and exams due to competition, travel, injury, or illness.
  • Coordinate with the Student Accessibility Services office and assist student athletes with initial intake to ensure services are being offered and correctly implemented for student athletes in academic, athletic, residential, and other university settings.
  • Create and distribute missed class travel letters for assigned teams.
  • Provide appropriate advocacy for student athletes by communicating and following up with University faculty and administration.
  • Generate and distribute weekly academic reports to coaches that include the tracking of weekly study hall hours, academic updates, and any current or potential issues with student athletes.
  • Communicate all important information regarding student athlete support services to student athletes, coaches, and other athletic department staff members.

• Additional duties including but not limited to:
  • Serves as a resource for coaches, prospective student-athletes, and parents during the recruitment process by creating and providing academic-specific recruiting materials, meeting with recruits and families during campus visits, and advising on AP and dual enrollment courses to take prior to enrollment at Creighton.
  • Assist director of academic services and compliance staff with the certification of NCAA eligibility and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
  • Support Director of Academic Services and Executive Staff in programming related to: Summer Bridge, Orientation (Fall and Spring), The Billy’s, Student Athlete Fall Kickoff, Student Athlete Senior Luncheon, Senior Letter ordering/distribution, and award programming honoring the academic achievement of student athlete.
  • In tandem with Director of Athletic Student Support Services, serve as a liaison for the athletic department in collaboration with multiple offices on campus, including but not limited to the office of residence life, student financial aid services, public safety, dining services, the campus bookstore, office of the registrar, and the offices of academic deans.
  • Manage the physical space of the Parker Family Academic Resource Center which includes: reserving private study areas, managing and troubleshooting the technology in the space, and scheduling the space for internal and external use.
  • Manage the development, implementation, training, and troubleshooting of all software and technology related to academic services and academic success.
  • Support the growth of student-athletes by organizing and promoting programming related to: community service, civic engagement, education on diversity, equity, inclusion, and other intercultural issues, career counseling, and mental health awareness.
  • Support the coaches, student-athletes, and families with the student-athlete’s process of applying to, being accepted to, and enrolling at Creighton University.
  • Serve as a secondary sport administrator/supervisor as assigned by athletic director.
  • Serve/lead departmental and institutional committees as requested by supervisor and athletic director.
  • Generate and distribute semester grade reports and statistics to coaches, sport supervisors, compliance, and sports information.

• Manage the Athletic Tutor Program, including:
  • Collaboration with University faculty and staff to identify high-level tutor candidates.
  • Collaboration with Student Success Center to “share” and “trade” student tutors in an effort to strengthen relationships with campus partners and meet the needs of our student athletes.
  • The interviewing, hiring, and retention of 30 to 40 student athletic tutors.
  • Work with Human Resources, Student Employment Office, and Payroll to ensure Academic Support Services and the Athletic Department are following local, state, and federal hiring and employment practices.
  • Work with student athletes and athletic tutors to ensure compliance to Creighton University and NCAA academic rules and standards.
  • Create and maintain a standard of tutor best practices that all athletic tutors are required to follow to ensure student athlete success and privacy.
  • Management of the tutor scheduling system.
  • Monitor usage of tutorial services and adjust services, hours, and number of athletic tutors to ensure student-athlete needs are being met.
  • In tandem with director of athletic student support services, manage the available budget and monitor/schedule tutor hours to ensure appropriate stewardship of athletic department resources.
  • Create and expand tutor services to meet the growing needs of student athletes during their academic careers.
  • Identify and promote athletic tutors to serve in elevated positions including but not limited to walk-in tutors, study group leaders, virtual paper editors, and peer mentors.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the tutoring program through the implementation of an assessment plan and provide end of the semester data reports.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated integrity and confidentiality
• Master of Arts or Science; education, counseling, sport management/administration or a related degree program
• 3+ years of experience working in a higher education setting, preferably in an academic support unit for student-athletes at the NCAA Division I level
• Experience interacting successfully with student-athletes, faculty, and coaching staffs
• Demonstrated working knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations 
• Strong public relations, organizational, and program management skills
• Knowledge/experience in computerized student records; familiarity with spreadsheets 
• Ability to multi-task and work under tight timelines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work weekends and evening hours on a regular basis
• Ability to travel periodically

Licenses/Certifications:

• Must be eligible for N4A membership