Student Support Specialist at La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA

Position Overview

Position Title

Student Support Specialist

Department

299020 - Academic Discovery Program

Position Type

Regular

Position Classification

Full-Time, 12 months

Grant/Gift Funded (all or a portion)?

Yes

If Temporary or Grant Funded, Start Date and End Date

Ongoing (state ACT 101 grant)

Position Description/Posting Details

Position Summary

The Student Support Specialist is a key member of the Academic Discovery Program (ADP) team. The ADP is La Salle’s Pennsylvania ACT 101 funded program to support economically and educationally qualified PA college students. The position is funded by the state grant, and the individual in the position is responsible for developing services and implementing best practices that advance student success. She/he works closely with the program’s Assistant Director for Student Success with specific responsibility for assessing the academic support needs of each student and collaborating with others to provide the requisite supports. She/he provides direct support to individual students and also works with targeted groups of students to help them develop their academic skills and their personal plans for success.

Additionally, the Student Support Specialist will participate fully in the program’s summer bridge, monitor the academic progress of all ADP students throughout all four years, and track each individual student’s use of services reporting regularly on their compliance with program requirements. The work of the Student Support Specialist must complement the work of the ADP support staff as well as the mission of the University, and must lead to increased student success, persistence, and graduation rates.

Essential Duties

Individualized Student Support

• Provide academic and success coaching to all ADP students on topics such as academic exploration and planning, time management, study skills, engaging in the campus community, managing financial aid, identifying co-curricular opportunities, utilizing student services, self-advocacy, and timely degree completion.
• Conduct regular one-on-one sessions with students.
• Develop academic support plans and schedules for each student each semester, ensuring that they meet the minimum requirements of the program and utilize subject tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic coaching, and writing support.
• Connect students to academic and non-academic resources, as needed.

Group Support, Workshops, and Related Programming

• Conduct small-group meetings with students and facilitate program-wide workshops on pertinent academic and student success topics.
• Collaborate with departments across campus to ensure that students receive information and support related to financial aid, academic advising, career development, academic support, academic accommodations, health and wellness, campus engagement activities, etc.
• Work with targeted groups of students to help them develop and implement academic success plans. Such groups may include:
  • Students on academic warning or probation
  • Students who receive low midterm grades or have multiple Ds/Fs/Ws
  • Students who receive at-risk reports or are otherwise identified by faculty
• Actively participate in the planning and implementation of the program’s Summer Bridge, working closely with instructors, coordinating tutoring, meeting with students, and providing support directly related to the requirements of the bridge program.
• Collaborate with colleagues across campus to ensure offerings are aligned with student needs and ultimately improve their chances for persistence and success.
• Supervise student workers as needed to support office and programming needs.
• Manage the program’s lending library.
• Participate in the program’s student recruitment and admission process, orientations, community events, etc. as needed.

Data Tracking and Reporting

• Track each student’s grades (mid-term and final) as well as their use of academic support services ensuring they are compliant with Act 101 and La Salle University minimum program requirements.
• Maintain case documentation and prepare weekly records of contacts and other summary reports as requested by the Director.
• Document all communications with students and maintain accurate and organized reports on interactions including emails, meetings, texts, and phone calls, as well as referrals made.
• Develop and utilize assessment measures for services to evaluate program effectiveness, summarize results, and recommend changes and improvements.
• Utilize University systems such as Starfish, DegreeWorks, Canvas, Banner, etc.
• Must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as well as with all university procedures and policies.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Remain current on issues, trends, best practices, and developmental theories related to academic support and student success services for low-income, first-generation college students.
• Attend trainings and meetings held on and off campus.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of the Academic Discovery Program.

# of Direct Reports

0

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• One to three years of previous experience supporting students, with expertise in mentoring, advising, or academic support.
• Experience serving first-generation students.
• Experience assessing student academic support needs and facilitating appropriate support services.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, and demonstrated ability to cultivate effective relationships with a wide range of individuals (faculty, administrators, staff, students, and family members).
• Strong technology skills and organizational abilities, including effectiveness in utilizing a variety of applications to communicate, schedule, obtain information, and record data and other insights.
• Must be a team player as well as a self-starter with a positive, relationship-focused attitude.
• Ability to work some evening and weekend hours as required during strategic times.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of La Salle University.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, psychology, social work, or a related area.
• Three to five years of work experience in higher education, including experience working with first-generation students.
• Ability to assess performance and outcomes and thrive in a high accountability environment.
• Demonstrated success in providing friendly, high-quality customer service.
• Demonstrated experience in leveraging passion for student success into measurable outcomes.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

• Evening and weekend work in excess of the 35-hour work week may be required during peak periods, including during the six-week summer bridge program.
• Because of the nature of the work, most work must be in-person, on-campus.
• There is some light lifting and carrying involved periodically.

Special Instructions to Applicant

La Salle University is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek candidates who will contribute to a positive, inclusive, and supportive community, and who are committed to working collaboratively with students, fostering critical thinking, supporting their success, and helping them realize their full potential.

La Salle University offers its eligible employees comprehensive medical and dental plans, employer paid life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays), and tuition benefits such as no cost undergraduate and graduate degree programs for its employees (with no wait period) and no cost undergraduate degree programs for its employees’ dependents (after completing the required years of service).

Posting Information

Application Open Date

11/11/2026

Application Close Date

12/03/2026

Application Open To

Internal and External Applicants