Description
Salary Range:
Mid 70s
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Department:
The Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) reports through the Office of the Provost and is dedicated to supporting all undergraduate and graduate Division I student-athletes. Our team provides comprehensive academic counseling, including major and degree planning, course selection, and academic skills development. We offer a variety of support services, such as literacy specialist support, peer tutoring, and assistance with executive functioning. We also provide priority registration to help student-athletes balance the demanding academic and athletic commitments required to compete at the Division I level. Our goal is to empower them to excel both in their sport and in the classroom.
About the Position:
This role is a 12 month, on-campus, in-person position.
Reporting to the Senior Director of ADSA, this position is an integral part of the ADSA leadership team, which includes the ADSA Director. The primary responsibility of this role is the oversight of the day-to-day functions of both the ADSA Literacy Specialist Program and its full-time staff, as well as the ADSA Peer Tutoring Program and all SMU ADSA tutors. In addition to overseeing the daily operations of these academic support programs within ADSA, this position also involves managing a student caseload, assisting with the planning and execution of strategies designed to enhance student-athlete academic performance, strengthen student-athlete success and retention, and promote student-athlete personal development and general well-being.
Essential Functions:
Responsible for the full life cycle management of three literacy specialists, including hiring, training, and development. Directs daily operations of ADSA Interventions, supervising specialists to manage student caseloads and tutoring. Recruits and oversees the integrated peer student tutor program.
Provide literacy specialist support to student-athletes. This involves designing and implementing individualized learning plans, utilizing assistive technology, and guiding students in understanding their learning profiles. Also, assist students in developing and applying executive functioning skills to enhance academic learning and task completion.
Serving on the ADSA leadership team, this individual provides key leadership, strategic planning, and insight in a collaborative format that impacts the academic support and outcomes for all SMU student-athletes and unit operations, including making recommendations to the Senior Director regarding program enhancements and strategic initiatives.
Lead the strategic development and improvement of academic intervention programs, including tutoring, assessments, and workshops, while overseeing individualized learning profiles. Oversee the development, administration, and evaluation of ADSA Intervention programs, seminars, and workshops. Utilize data analysis to inform improvements and develop policies for student-athlete success.
Develop and implement strategies, including diagnostic measures, to identify academic preparedness and opportunities for enhanced support for incoming and current student-athletes, with a focus on providing targeted assistance to those with the highest need. This includes assisting student-athletes with DASS service applications, scheduling testing, gathering documentation, and supporting student advocacy regarding academic accommodations.
Set professional development goals with supervisor to enhance effectiveness in the field and continue ongoing growth. Actively participated in various university athletic conferences, N4A/ NCAA, and SAES committees. Keep relevant credentials and training up to date. Represent the ADSA on various committees, boards, and associations. Attend and participate in local, state, and national workshops and conferences.
Lead meetings to distribute information about student-athlete academic progress and needs with all members of the student’s ADSA learning team (ADSA counselor, specialist, tutor, etc.) as necessary to ensure learning team cohesion and support each student’s progress. Maintain appropriate confidentiality concerning each student within and outside the school community.
Serve as the primary liaison with the SMU DASS department and Athletic Sport Medicine to facilitate NCAA-required documentation and provide comprehensive learning profile support.
Ensure compliance with NCAA regulations and university policies pertaining to academic support services. Perform similar or related duties as assigned or required.
Regular evening work is anticipated to meet operational needs with occasional weekends during the Fall and Spring semesters. Anticipated summer hours 8 to 5.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A master's degree in Education, Sport/Athletic Management, or other closely related field is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience is required, including two years a supervisor. Experience working with students with learning differences and providing differentiated instruction to meet needs of diverse learners; experience working with students with language-based learning disorder such as, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia, and students experiencing challenges with executive functioning, attention, memory, and pace-of-learning is required. Experience working with NCAA Division 1 student athletes is preferred. Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) or equivalent experience is also preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate knowledge, skills, and experience around underlying attention, memory, language, social skill, and executive functioning challenges and how they impact learning and academic success is essential.
Candidate ability to work with diverse learners to achieve lesson objectives using research-based assessments within set timeframes is crucial. Also must have the ability to create individualized instructional plans (w/out prepackaged programs), customize intervention plans with various resources, administer/score/interpret assessments for intervention, multitasking, and develop flexible group support programming.
Candidate must be proficient in basic computer skills (word processing, email, instant messaging, etc.) and Microsoft Office, cloud sharing software and university programs (Box, Google Drive, Teamworks, Retain, etc.).
Candidate familiarity with instructional technology to aid writing (Scanning Pens, ActivPanels, etc.) and guiding students in the use of AI-assisted learning is preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Sit for long periods of time
Bend, squat, stand
Reach above shoulders
Handle objects (dexterity)
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Deadline to Apply:
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 16, 2025.
This position is open until filled.
EEO Statement
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Requirements
A master's degree in Education, Sport/Athletic Management, or other closely related field is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience is required, including two years a supervisor. Experience working with students with learning differences and providing differentiated instruction to meet needs of diverse learners; experience working with students with language-based learning disorder such as, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia, and students experiencing challenges with executive functioning, attention, memory, and pace-of-learning is required. Experience working with NCAA Division 1 student athletes is preferred. Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) or equivalent experience is also preferred.
