Science Academic Support Specialist

The Academic Support Specialist (Sciences)provides comprehensive academic support to students experiencing challenges in science courses, while identifying and eliminating barriers to their success.

This role collaborates with the Executive Director of Academic & Student Support to implement best practices for the retention and progress of students. With a focus on customized support and a case management approach, this role closely works with students to ensure they have the tools they need to thrive in science-focused coursework.

This position requires strong communication and organizational skills, and a passion for helping students overcome challenges, improve scientific literacy, and build confidence in science-related coursework.

• Provides specialized academic support to students experiencing difficulties in science courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, and other scientific disciplines.

• Develops and implements individualized academic support strategies for students struggling with scientific coursework, including one-on-one coaching, study skills development, and targeted tutoring referrals.
• Analyzes student performance data across science courses to identify common challenges and develop proactive support interventions.
• Coordinates with science faculty, academic advisors, and divisional directors to create comprehensive support networks for students at academic risk.
• Designs and delivers workshops and learning resources to improve scientific study skills, critical thinking, and academic performance across science courses.
• Assists students with navigating academic challenges, including course selection, study strategies, and academic recovery plans.
• Develops and implements supplemental instruction programs to support students in challenging science courses.
• Conducts targeted outreach to students showing early signs of academic difficulty in science coursework.
• Creates and curates academic resources, including study guides, learning modules, and multimedia materials to support scientific learning.
• Utilizes Navigate and other tracking systems to monitor student progress and implement timely interventions. Analyzes quantitative data on student grades and alerts in science courses and organizes the information into spreadsheets, denoting patterns and information that assist in providing targeted academic support.
• Assists in the development, recruitment, implementation, and delivery of the Student Success Academy (SSA) Program in the Summer, which prepares students for the rigors of nursing prerequisites through hands-on activities, workshops, and on-campus resources.
• Coordinates and instructs the 14-week Rebound Program in the Spring, providing first-year students on probation with additional resources for academic recovery.
• Meets with student caseload and serves as an immediate source of support, including analyzing barriers, determining next steps, and referring students to other on-campus departments based on student circumstances.
• Creates and develops material for instructional design by assessing student needs, collaborating with professors, and researching current trends in education; materials include learning modules, surveys, presentations, and videos.
• Conducts instructional class visits tailored toward specific science courses; provides information on program requirements and departmental resources; conducts presentations and shares resources available to students.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director to analyze the academic profile of students on academic probation at the end of their first semester and determine student placement for Rebound sections based on their Fall performance and Spring courses.
• Initiates contact with Student Success Academy students during the academic year, monitoring their academic progress throughout the semester, and providing additional information and resources as needed to support their pathway to nursing admission.

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in the biological science, health sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices to promote student success in the sciences.
• Knowledge of HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) best practices in STEM education.
• Familiarity with Student Development Theory.

• Experience in supporting, recruiting, or working with historically underserved populations or first-generation students, with a focus on creating access to higher education.
• Experience using LMS systems for content delivery and analytics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate knowledge of retention issues and practices in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a cohesive member of a team, planning and organizing events and programs.
• Ability to work under pressure with composure.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, seek solutions, and refer to appropriate parties.
• Strong technical skills. Colleague or university database experience preferred.
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple tasks, organize, and prioritize tasks, while remaining flexible to handle vague or changing information.
• Ability to perform all the essential functions, skills, and specifications of the position.

We inspire success by working together to provide meaningful, personalized service in a spirit of excellence. SXU seeks candidates that deliver value-added services in a responsive, collaborative, effective, and respectful manner.

The University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Saint Xavier University affirms its position as a Catholic institution, inspired by the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, and asserts its rights to employ persons who subscribe to the mission, vision and core values of the University.

Saint Xavier University is an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions and all other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other factors protected by law. Hiring decisions will be based on the bona fide occupational qualifications of each applicant.