Director, Academic Skills and Support

Director, Academic Skills and Support

The George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School invites applications for the Director, Academic Skills and Support. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Position:

The Director, Academic Skills and Support will coordinate and provide academic support and advising to law school JD students, and serve as a student point of contact on academic matters to help students problem solve and to ultimately enhance students’ law school experience. The Director will be responsible for designing and providing academic programming for students to best support their academic success, and working one-on-one with students to help identify potential areas for improvement and/or address identified deficiencies. The Director will work collaboratively with student affairs colleagues and other law school and university departments to provide comprehensive, proactive, student academic support.

Key qualifications for this position include a demonstrated ability to assess strengths and weaknesses, problem solve, instruct, and counsel; exceptional judgement; and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Proactively plan comprehensive academic support programs for JD students including orientation “Legal Methods” course and first-year “Fundamental Skills” sessions, as well as small group academic skill-building sessions for all students;
• Provide individualized academic support for students as required by the law school’s academic regulations and to those seeking assistance voluntarily. Support includes identifying areas of student struggle and working with each student to develop a plan to improve their grades;
• Provide individualized academic planning for JD students including course selection advice, progress reports on fulfilling graduation requirements, advice on visiting other programs, review of military academic plans, and overall guidance as to academic regulations;
• Supervise part-time academic advisor, collaborating as necessary regarding individual students and academic support planning programs;
• Work with the Records Office, the University’s Office of Disability Services, professors, and students to implement in-class disability accommodations;
• Coordinate student pre-registration advising with career services and bar support staff to provide students with holistic advice prior to fall, spring, and summer course selection;
• Maintain academic resources, including writing competition database and academic affairs resource library; update published academic information as necessary; and serve on academic-related committees; and
• Other duties as assigned that help the department achieve its objectives and goals and/or support the mission of the law school.

Required Qualifications:

• JD, LLM, or any combination of relevant education and experience related to graduate student affairs / academic advising that equates to the advanced degree;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Demonstrated ability to assess strengths and weaknesses, problem solve, instruct, and counsel;
• Critical thinking skills, exceptional judgement, and objectivity; and
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA46JZ at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.