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American University

Academic Counselor & Learning Support Specialist, Student-Athlete Support

🇺🇸 Hybrid - Washington, DC

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $52K - $56K

💻 Learning & Development

🗓️ August 4th, 2025

CRM

Edtech.com's Summary

American University is hiring an Academic Counselor & Learning Support Specialist, Student-Athlete Support. This role provides intensive academic and holistic support to student-athletes, advises on NCAA eligibility, develops learning strategies, and administers academic programs including study tables and workshops for student-athletes.

Highlights
  • Provide individual academic and holistic support to student-athletes, including organization and wellness referrals.
  • Develop and implement learning plans and academic coaching for at-risk student-athletes.
  • Serve as NCAA eligibility advisor and monitor student-athlete academic progress for compliance.
  • Design and facilitate academic workshops and summer bridge programs for student-athletes.
  • Maintain records and communicate with coaches, faculty, and administration to support student-athletes.
  • Required knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility regulations and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
  • Preferred experience with CRM Advise and Teamworks software.
  • Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of higher education advising experience required; Master's preferred.
  • Salary range: $52,000 - $56,000 annually.
  • Travel may be required to provide academic support to traveling athletic teams.

Academic Counselor & Learning Support Specialist, Student-Athlete Support Full Description

Academic Counselor & Learning Support Specialist, Student-Athlete Support
Main Campus (Washington, DC)
Full time

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department: SASP Support
Time Type: Full time

Job Type:Regular
FLSA Status:Exempt
Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union: SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment DivisionThis position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Job Description:
Summary:
The Academic Counselor & Learning Support Specialist, Student-Athlete Support, provides intensive academic and holistic support to student-athletes of select teams, serves as NCAA eligibility advisor, and provides intensive learning strategies and academic coaching to a select caseload of student-athletes. Additionally, the Academic Counselor & Learning Support Specialist is responsible for supporting the learning needs of identified student-athletes from any team who may be academically at risk through the design, development, and implementation of learning plans. The Academic Counselor & Learning Specialist will assist in the administration of the study table program and construct and facilitate group academic programming, including but not limited to academic workshops and summer bridge programming for student-athletes.

Essential Functions:
1.) Direct Student Service
  • Provides individual holistic support to assigned undergraduate and graduate student-athletes through one-on-one appointments and referrals to university and community services. 
  • Holistic support includes topics such as organization, time management, study habits, course scheduling, major and career exploration, athletic injury support, and wellness referrals. 
  • Provides intensive learning strategies and academic coaching in one-on-one and group settings, developing individual learning and study plans for an assigned caseload of at-risk student-athletes in collaboration with Student-Athlete Support Program Academic Counselors.
  • Academic skills include, but are not limited to, reading, and writing strategies, time management, enhanced study habits, and learning techniques such as note taking and test preparation. 
  • Administers diagnostic measures to assess academic preparedness and evaluates potential learning deficits of undergraduate student-athletes.
  • Assists with student-athlete recruitment by meeting with prospective students and families.
2.) Academic Programming Development
  • Work with Student-Athlete Support Program team members to identify educational needs, design academic workshops and a formal summer bridge program for first-year and transfer student-athletes, and create seminar materials and marketing.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the workshops and make improvements as needed.
  • Keep detailed records of attendance and participation in academic support workshops.
3.) Task-Oriented Administration
  • Maintains necessary records and documentation for the Department of Athletics, SASP, Office of Undergraduate Education and Academic Student Services.
  • Communicates with Director, coaches, and administrators to support individual student-athletes and meet NCAA compliance.
  • Reviews students’ progress for NCAA eligibility and reports to Director and compliance officer.
  • Collects and evaluates data and prepares reports on activities and student progress. 
  • Supports the administration of study table program.
  • Updates academic and marketing materials for academic workshops and summer bridge programming.
4.) Student-Specific Consultation
  • Consults with disability support team (ASAC) on student-athletes with disabilities. 
  • Consults with academic advisors, faculty, and university staff regarding NCAA regulations, student-athlete competition and travel, progress reports, academic alert notifications, course registration, and progress towards degree completion. 
  • Consults with Dean of Student staff regarding student-athletes of concern.
  • Consults with SASP staff regarding academic progress of learning specialist caseload.
5.) Other Duties as Assigned

Competencies:
  • Serving Customers.
  • Displaying Creativity.
  • Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
  • Supporting Coworkers.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: 
  • Full-Time.
  • 35 hours per week.
  • Position requires some student-centered night and weekend hours.
Salary Range:
  • $52,000 - $56,000 annually.

Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • 1-3 years of relevant experience.
  • Prior experience providing advising or intensive student services support in higher education.
  • Knowledge of NCAA regulations pertaining to academic eligibility.
  • Ability to multitask and be a resourceful problem solver as well as a creative and deliberate planner. 
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, are required. 
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and individually. 
  • Strong computer skills are required, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Attention to detail is required along with initiative, drive, flexibility, and ability to excel in a multicultural environment.

Preferred Education and Experience:
  • Master's degree.
  • 2-4 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience using CRM Advise or similar tool.
  • Experience using Teamworks.
  • Seeks out, values, and utilizes diverse knowledge and experiences.  
  • Working in an environment striving to incorporate anti-racist practices. 
  • Experience teaching or working in an academic setting with students with diverse backgrounds is strongly preferred.

Travel Required:
  • As needed or requested to provide academic support to traveling athletic teams and for student-athlete academic programming.

Benefits 
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details
  • Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
  • Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
  • Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  • American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.