Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Student Success Specialist (STEM) to support students in math-intensive majors by providing direct academic advising, recovery coaching, and structured programming. The role involves collaborating with faculty, peer tutors, and academic centers to enhance student success and may include teaching first-year seminar courses focused on math strategies.

Highlights

Advise students in math-intensive majors, including those academically at risk.
Develop individualized academic recovery plans and skill-building strategies.
Collaborate with mathematics faculty, advising and tutoring staff, and learning centers for early interventions and aligned support.
Plan and deliver workshops on quantitative reasoning, STEM study skills, and recovery planning.
Teach a one-credit first-year seminar or learning assistant training course integrating math success strategies.
Track and analyze academic performance trends in STEM courses to improve success metrics.
Required Master’s degree; preferred background in STEM/math education or related field.
Minimum 3 years of experience in student success or academic support roles, preferably with STEM or at-risk students.
Proficiency in Office365 required; familiarity with PeopleSoft, Starfish, and student success management tools is desired.
Salary range: $46,400 - $67,300, with a competitive benefits package including medical, retirement plans, and 75% tuition discount.

Student Success Specialist (STEM) Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Harrisburg seeks a student-centered professional to serve as the Student Success Specialist, STEM courses supporting students in or intending to be in math-intensive majors. This position will play a key role in supporting student success in math, science, and related courses by coordinating proactive academic recovery efforts, collaborating with faculty and peer tutors, and advising students who are at risk academically.

With the initial focus on mathematics, the Student Success Specialist (specialist) will work closely with the mathematics faculty, the Lambert Undergraduate Advising Center, Russell E. Horn Sr. Learning Center, and the Associate Research Professor of STEM Education. The specialist will provide direct academic advising, individualized recovery coaching, and structured programming for at-risk students enrolled in math-heavy courses. This person will also have the opportunity to teach a one-credit first-year seminar (FYS) course each year, integrating math success strategies for both traditional and adult/transfer learners, and/or a one-credit learning assistant training course.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Supporting Student Success
- Advise students in majors with intensive math requirements and those experiencing academic difficulty in math, including students on academic warning or suspension.
- Providing guidance to assigned advisees on academic planning to ensure timely degree completion, instructing on the use of advising tools, assessing academic needs and making appropriate referrals, maintaining confidentiality of student records, monitoring academic progress, sending periodic messaging for key academic actions and deadlines, and interpreting university policies and procedures to support in decision making.
- Coach students through individualized academic recovery plans, incorporating skill-building and time management strategies.
- Interpret and communicate curricular requirements for math-intensive majors, with particular emphasis on flexible options for completing math requirements.
- Ensure that specific populations of students (e.g., student-athletes, transfer students, adult learners, first generation students) have adequate support to be successful in math.
Collaboration and Faculty Partnership
- Work directly with math faculty and advising and tutoring staff to identify high-risk students and implement early interventions. These partnerships would include reviewing placement test scores.
- Coordinate with the Russell E. Horn Sr. Learning Center to align tutoring, supplemental instruction, and study skills programming with advising efforts.
- Collaborate with the learning assistant program to assist with training and ensure adequate student support is offered in math-intensive courses.
- Integrate academic success and recovery strategies into the first-year experience, with a specific emphasis on success in math-intensive courses.
Programming and Student Engagement
- Develop and deliver workshops or small-group sessions on quantitative reasoning, study skills for STEM courses, and recovery planning in collaboration with the Russell E. Horn Sr. Learning Center and the Associate Research Professor of STEM Education.
- Develop initiatives to promote persistence and belonging among students in math-intensive majors.
- Assist with college-wide events such as New Student Orientation, Open House, Accepted Student Days, and Welcome Week.
Data and Assessment
- Collaborate with the Associate Research Professor of STEM Education to understand and track D/F/W trends in math and other STEM courses (as needed) and subsequent courses in math-intensive majors.
- Contribute to reports and recommendations for improving academic success metrics.
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education: Required - Master's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience; Preferred: education in STEM/math education, higher education, or related field.
Experience: 3+ years in student success or academic support roles; experience with students in academic difficulty or STEM contexts preferred.

Skills and Attributes:

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues. Ability to balance empathy and accountability in supporting students.
Experience with Office365 is required. Experience with PeopleSoft, Starfish, and other student success management tools are desired as are awareness and knowledge of emerging technologies related to math learning

Additional Information:

This position will report to the Director of Academic Support and Advising Services and work collaboratively with the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SSET). Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for events or outreach. A flexible work arrangement combining on-campus and limited remote work may be available, in accordance with University policy.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSMaster's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITSThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $46,400.00 - $67,300.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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