Student Athlete Academic Coordinator

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

VCU Athletics is seeking a knowledgeable, passionate, professional Academic Coordinator for our Student-Athletes.

Summary:

Under the guidance of the Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support, the Student-Athlete Academic Coordinator counsels and guides VCU's student-athletes to educational success. The Student-Athlete Academic Coordinator works with student-athletes to achieve academic success through the preparation of course planning, academic advising, and success knowledge of university and athletic academic resources. The Student-Athlete Academic Coordinator will have a primary focus on achieving timely graduation, preparation of career and life skills, and knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations. Reporting to the Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support, the Student-Athlete Academic Coordinator works to further VCU Athletics’ mission to win conference and national championships, provide a first-class student-athlete experience, serve as a source of pride for the University and community, and cultivate graduates who excel as leaders.

Typical Duties

Academic Advising 
Essential 
Coordinate academic advising for at least two Division I varsity teams. 
Work with student-athletes on major choice and career planning utilizing major maps and other resources.  
Meet with assigned caseload on a regular basis and document meeting counts in Navigate. 
Work with student-athletes on strategies to enhance their overall success. 
Make appropriate referrals to academic coaching and tutoring services. 
Monitor the academic progress of the student-athletes and update coaches.
Maintain accurate and detailed written documentation for each student-athlete during their course of stay at VCU as required by the NCAA. 
Identify at-risk student-athletes and make appropriate referrals. 
Meet with prospective student-athletes, families, and coaches. 

NCAA Eligibility 
Essential 
Work with the VCU Compliance Office and the Office of Records and Registration to monitor and ensure the eligibility of student-athletes. 
Complete CAi and eligibility sheets after every semester
Maintain accurate records for individual student-athletes on caseload to ensure successful completion of the NCAA academic certification process.

Teach UNIV courses 
Essential 
Teach and plan lessons for at least one section of the first-year UNIV 1XX course during the fall or spring semester. 
Attend all training relevant to the UNIV course 

Other duties
Handle other relevant academic and administrative duties, as assigned. The omission of specific duties listed here does not preclude the supervisor from assigning responsibilities that are related to the position. 
Must be available for assignments and/or event participation that will require weekend and/or evening hours. 

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree, or education and relevant work experience equating to a bachelor’s degree,  is required. 
Experience working with student-athletes at a large, urban, NCAA Division l university. 
Must have a thorough knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations. 
Demonstrated ability to motivate student-athletes toward academic achievement. 
Experience in academic advising with student-athletes of varying academic levels. 
Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills. 
Must be able to work evening and/or weekend hours, as needed
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

A Master's degree in social work, counseling, higher education administration, sport leadership,  humanities, or related area or experience and relevant work experience equating to an advanced degree;
Personal student-athlete collegiate experience. 
Experience working in a university student-athlete support services, student-athlete development, or other related support/ student affairs office. 
Experience teaching and/or leading workshops.  

Grace Blevins
gablevins@vcu.edu