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Position Information

Position Title EOP Academic Support Specialist (Grant Funded)

Position Category Full Time Staff

Position Status 12 Month

FLSA Exempt

Advertised Salary $47,873

Department Educational Opportunity Program

Working Hours Monday - Friday (Evening and weekend hours may be required)

General Description

SUNY Niagara is seeking an Academic Support Specialist to join our Educational Opportunity Program ( EOP ) department. The Academic Support Specialist will provide academic support, guidance, and mentorship to EOP students to foster their academic success, retention, and personal growth. This is a grant-funded para-professional position reporting to the EOP Director.

This role involves monitoring student academic progress, facilitating workshops, and ensuring students receive the necessary resources to navigate college processes. Documentation of services and student progress is an essential requirement of this position. The Academic Support Specialist will also be expected to support continuous student enrollment, engagement, and ensuring students receive information on available academic and student support services. The ideal candidate is a student-centered professional who is passionate about supporting diverse student populations and removing barriers to success.

SUNY Niagara provides phenomenal benefits to our employees. Please visit https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/hr/benefits to view our benefits offerings. SUNY Niagara’s exceptional work environment fosters growth and personal fulfillment. As an employee, you can expect:

Work-Life Balance: When employees can balance their work and personal lives, they are happier, more productive, and better positioned to support our students. At SUNY Niagara, generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies make this possible. Our college closes for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess. In the summer, employees observe a four-day workweek, allowing them to enjoy all that Western New York offers.

Professional Growth: SUNY Niagara cares about employees’ professional advancement and development. You will have access to ongoing training, programs, and workshops. We support career growth and encourage employees to pursue further education.

Welcoming Culture: SUNY Niagara values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they create a sense of belonging for our students and employees. We foster a collaborative culture that respects and appreciates different perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds which contribute to the richness of our institution. We believe that our diverse, inclusive community enriches the experiences of students and employees alike.

Meaningful Work: At SUNY Niagara, your work will directly impact the lives of our students and the region we serve. Our college is for all who are passionate about teaching and focused on supporting students. Our small class sizes facilitate engagement. You will shape students’ futures, prepare them for successful careers, and empower them to contribute to society. Your dedication and expertise will propel students to achieve their educational goals.

Become part of an institution that values employees, positively impacts students’ lives, and invests in its community.

Typical Work Activities

• Determine the needs of each student during the EOP Summer Orientation, and assist them with establishing clear goals, to develop an individual academic success plan.

• Provide academic coaching and support to students.

• Meet with first semester students weekly and all other students bi-weekly/as needed.

• Provide monthly supplemental workshops that address student needs.

• Provide group and individualized academic advising, programmatic and educational support with emphasis on motivation, study strategies, and peer study groups. Coordinate individual and group tutoring as necessary.

• Advise EOP student’s academic, career, and personal decision making, refer students to appropriate office/department when necessary.

• Develop and maintain regular and consistent contact with faculty members regarding flagged students in Star Fish and any additional issues/concerns.

• Prepare and maintain accurate counseling records using current technology, relay pertinent information to college personnel as needed, and respect the confidentiality of such records as required by law

• Support students in completing the financial aid application and provide assistance with course selection.

• Monitor course schedules and respond to early warning alerts through college approved software.

• Maintain office hours and regular EOP student contact in support of student academic success and retention.

• Maintain current knowledge of resources, majors, prerequisites, general education and graduation requirements.

• Serve as liaison for campus outreach activities, i.e. high school visits, open house activities, etc.

• Serve as liaison for potential EOP students; assist them in completing application process for file review

• Participate in the program review processes.

• Serve on Department, Division and campus-wide committees

• Continue professional development and remain current in the counseling and outreach field through course work, conferences, workshops, and other appropriate means.

• Participate in planning EOP Summer Orientation

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of EOP

Essential Functions

Ability to relate to a student population with diverse backgrounds; ability to relate to all members of the college staff and faculty; ability to manage multiple functions; ability to operate computers; ability to prepare and make presentations to groups, ability to prepare written reports, ability to document services and student progress; ability to work evenings and/or weekends; ability to physically perform the duties of the position.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university

• Two years of full-time or part time equivalent relevant experience, working in an educational environment in the areas of teaching, advising, counseling or other academic related experience.

• Demonstrable effective written and verbal communication skills,

• Excellent organizational skills

• Experience working with economically and / or educationally disadvantaged populations

• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams

• Experience working with economically and / or educationally disadvantaged populations

  Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Social Work, or related field; OR Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with two or more years’of experience working directly with EOP students.

• General knowledge of EOP or college-level TRIO programs

• Experience advising or case management experience with marginalized, first generation and/or students with different abilities.

• Experience working with Slate and Banner;

• Experience giving educational workshops and/or presentations.

• Provides group and individualized academic advising, programmatic and educational support with emphasis on motivation, study strategies, and peer study groups.

  License(s)/Certifications

  About SUNY Niagara

  SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

  SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates that are supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

  SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development that positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

  SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn, campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county’s three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. We continue to invest in our facilities with the addition of the Learning Commons Center, which has become the nucleus of the campus; a place for faculty to collaborate and help students develop critical thinking skills while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and innovative student support services. We also modernized our campus dining commons, providing quality meal options in a sleek, comfortable, collaborative environment.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (http://www.nfculinary.org/) ( NFCI ) is located in the heart of one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Niagara Falls. Fully outfitted with modern labs and tools for students to use as they train in both classic and trendy techniques, NFCI is home to Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality programs. The college also operates Savor, a fine dining restaurant, and La Patisserie, a European-style pastry café, at NFCI .

Our college nurtures and empowers its students and employees in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. SUNY Niagara welcomes applicants who want to join a leading regional institution that provides a dynamic, educational environment, responds to students’ current and emerging needs, and strengthens its community. At SUNY Niagara we embrace diversity and promote inclusion throughout the institution by recognizing, accepting, and celebrating differences within our campus and surrounding communities. Therefore, we desire and pursue candidates who share those principles and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

EEO Statement

SUNY Niagara does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S325P

Open Date 02/05/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions Summary

For full consideration applications must be submitted by March 9, 2025. if a viable candidate is not found during the initial review, applications submitted after March 9, 2025 will be considered.

SUNY Niagara considers only those applications that clearly demonstrate the applicant meets all required qualifications as indicated on the posting, please review the qualifications before applying. Persons meeting the required qualifications as stated above should submit the following:

• cover letter that addresses each of the qualifications

• resume

• unofficial transcripts

• names and contact information for three (3) current, work related references

Incomplete packets will be rejected for lack of information.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is the highest level of education attained?

• GED

• High School Diploma

• Associates Degree

• Bachelors Degree

• Masters Degree

• PHD

• • How many years of full-time or part time equivalent relevant experience, working in an educational environment in the areas of teaching, advising, counseling do you have?

• No Experience

• Less than 1 year

• 1 year

• 2-3 years

• 3 or more years

• • Do you have experience working with economically and/or educationally disadvantaged populations?

• Yes

• No

• • Are you proficient in Microsoft Office software, i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams?

• Yes

• No

  Documents Needed to Apply

  Required Documents

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Transcripts

  Optional Documents

• Letter of Recommendation

• Certifications/Licenses

• Transcript 2

• Transcript 3