Career Center

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Department:

The Office of Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) works to make sure that SMU students are aware of the academic opportunities and support systems that operate across campus to ensure their academic success and enrich their experiences inside and outside the classroom.

About the Position:

The Senior Academic Counselor supports the academic success of the Men’s Basketball team and other teams as assigned. Reporting to the Senior Director/ Assist. AD under Academic Affairs, this position promotes the ethical and holistic academic success of all SMU student-athletes by monitoring individual and team academic progress, retention and eligibility.

Additional responsibilities include assessing ndividual and team academic needs, facilitating and coordinating academic interventions, creating and updating various academic reports, providing campus referrals, contributing to the advancement of the academic unit, and educating student-athletes, coaches, and athletics on SMU, AAC, and NCAA academic rules, regulations and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

Oversee services for assigned NCAA Division I teams and provide academic counseling for student-athletes as determined by the Sr. Director. This includes assigning and monitoring academic interventions, communicating with faculty, facilitating academic success programs, tracking eligibility, and regular meetings with coaches and athletics to advocate, educate, and inform on student and academic affairs items.

Assist in the assessment and tracking of assigned student-athlete academic progress. Work closely with campus partners and assigned professional development entities to represent ADSA. Coordinate major selection, the registration process, and graduation planning. Facilitating holistic individual student development. Providing policy and practice input. Represent ADSA on various committees

Work closely with other departments to create personalized academic plans for student-athletes. Provide guidance to other counselors as they counsel student-athletes on their assigned teams. Collaborate on departmental projects with other members of the ADSA staff. Contribute to ADSA programming with innovative ideas, practices, and solutions.

Provide intrusive academic support and education for assigned teams on and off campus including during team travel trips. Create and facilitate structured and objective study hall learning environments for assigned student-athletes to include individual and group academic accountability sessions.

Serve as the lead learning specialist for at-risk student-athletes on your team(s) as determined in conjunction with the Senior Director. This includes providing frequent individual academic support sessions focused on the development of executive functioning skills, course-specific intervention support, and the collaborative incorporation of best practices for learning as outlined by ADSA interventionists, SMU faculty, and other applicable education-related communities.

Partner with the Senior Director to oversee a unit specific program(s) that supports the holistic success of all SMU student-athletes. Provide training, support, guidance, best practices, policy, and procedures to other ADSA staff and student-athlete(s). Serve as the lead contact on behalf of ADSA for a specific unit(s) to facilitate unit knowledge, information, and collaboration.

Assist with the creation and assessment of ADSA and institutional programs aligned with departmental, institutional, and athletic conference priorities. Participate in new student onboarding, summer bridge programming, and conduct educational workshops.

Provide professional mentorship, training, and guidance to interns, graduate assistants and new athletic counselors within the unit.

Abide by ADSA, SMU, AAC, and NCAA rules, regulations and processes. Other duties as assigned.

The position requires some evening, weekend, and holiday work. Team travel is required on a regular basis to facilitate continuity in academic programming by conducting study hall, learning specialist sessions, proctoring exams, etc. while on the road with a team.

Education and Experience:

A Master's degree is required, preferably in counseling, higher education administration, education, and/or sports management.

A minimum of three years of work experience is required.

Experience providing direct academic support and academic counseling to Division I student-athletes and experience working directly with Division I athletic coaches is also required.

Experience working with a diverse population of student-athletes is strongly preferred. Experience conducting recruiting presentations for prospective student-athletes is desirable.

Experience working with graduate students is a plus. Experience providing academic support during athletic travel is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, advisors, coaches, and others members of the SMU community. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. The ability to work in a fast paced and flexible work environment is essential.

The 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. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team is essential.

The candidate must have a strong understanding and in-depth knowledge of NCAA Division I continuing eligibility rules and regulation. Knowledge of academic advising best practices is preferred. An understanding of NCAA Division I Initial eligibility requirements is desirable. Familiarity with NCAA, APR, and GSR regulations is a plus.

The candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Team Works, People Soft, Canvas, and/or Qualtrics is preferred. Experience with conflict management and data dissemination is a plus.

The candidate must be willing and able to work non-business hours. Must also be willing and able to travel with respective teams.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time.

Deadline to Apply:

May 23, 2022

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by May 13, 2022

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

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.