STEM Learning Specialist, Dominican University

Imagen de Mónica Ivelisse Feliú-Mójer

Foros: 

STEM Learning Specialist

FLSA STATUS:  Salaried, exempt

DEPARTMENT: Academic Development & Support

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Academic Success and Support

JOB STATUS: Full-time (at least 37.5 hours/week)

DATE AVAILABLE: May 1, 2019

 

PRIMARY PURPOSE/ POSITION SUMMARY:

The STEM Learning Specialist leads the delivery and management of STEM focused academic success skill development resources for students and instructors participating in the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded DU STEM Success Model. The STEM Learning Specialist will provide fundamental support both to learners and teachers in the Dominican University STEM Success Model. The Learning Specialist will help implement and evaluate two interventions: (1) a STEM summer bridge program and (2) STEM gateway pilot courses. This is a grant-funded position with anticipated employment dates beginning May 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2023. Renewal of the position will be subject to an annual review during the grant-period.

 

The STEM Learning Specialist works closely with faculty, a cohort of STEM student tutors, the Academic Development and Support team, and partners across the university.  The STEM Learning Specialist is sensitive to the needs of a diverse student body and committed to fostering students’ personal, cultural, educational, and intellectual development consistent within a Catholic liberal arts university. 

 

As a member of the Student Success and Engagement Division, the STEM Learning Specialist will collaborate with colleagues to identify and remove institutional obstacles to student success and engagement and support the success of all students.

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL DOMINICAN EMPLOYEES:

To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, to give compassionate service, and to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world.

 

JOB COMPONENTS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Student and Faculty STEM Success Skill Development Services

  • Facilitate STEM faculty Community of Practice:  The STEM Learning Specialist will facilitate gateway faculty to lead classroom-based instructional modules and engage them in assessment of students’ academic experience in those modules. The specialist will also lead gateway faculty in a community of practice to incorporate peer-led team learning or embedded TA models into the delivery of their courses.  Working with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the STEM Learning Specialist will provide faculty with professional development opportunities (through off campus trainings in peer-led team learning), assist them in the design of review materials for peer-led learning sessions, provide them with bi-monthly community of practice course development sessions, and provide end-of-the year debrief and assessment opportunities. (20%)
  • Supervise STEM student tutors: Gateway faculty and the STEM Learning Specialist will jointly recruit 11 undergraduate students who will serve as team learning leaders/TAs in STEM gateway courses during each academic semester. The STEM Learning Specialist will hire, supervise, and provide ongoing training to these students. In consultation with this cohort during fall and spring semesters, the STEM Learning Specialist provides team learning leaders with review materials for weekly meetings with students, facilitates sessions in which learning leaders review positive developments and challenges encountered in weekly sessions, and suggests strategies for meeting individual student needs. (35%)
  • Collaborate with Academic Development and Support team: Working with the Executive Director of Academic Success and the Student Success Case Manager, the STEM Learning Specialist will regularly identify students who are facing substantial difficulties being successful in their STEM courses. In regular meetings, the STEM Learning Specialist will discuss what academic supports those students might need outside of their peer-led team learning cohort or whether those needs would best be served by a case manager who can take a broader look at sources of financial, social, or emotional assistance. (10%)
  • Coordinate with larger campus community to implement Summer Bridge Program: The STEM Learning Specialist will work closely with admissions, advising, residence life, student involvement, student employment, and food service to coordinate all aspects of the STEM summer bridge program. (25%)
  • Contribute to grant project management: The STEM Learning Specialist will work closely with the internal grant assessment team to assure continuous improvement of the Summer Bridge and PLTL outcomes for students. (10%)

 

2. Divisional Services

  • Collaborate with partners across divisional units to identify and remove institutional obstacles to student success and engagement.
  • Perform other duties as requested, delegated or assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

All qualifications are required unless otherwise indicated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Interest in pedagogical design, approaches to team-learning, and improvement in course teaching.

Capacity for event planning, scheduling logistics, and collaborating with partners across a complex institution.

Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form to multiple audiences.

Demonstrated knowledge of STEM teaching and learning model and support practices and policies.

Knowledge of support services that address the unique needs of students with diverse learning needs.

Ability to build working relationships with students, faculty and staff. 

Ability to manage time-sensitive processes.

 

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree or higher in STEM field or STEM pedagogy by the date of the appointment.

Minimum of three years professional experience in academic support services.

Teaching experience at a university/college setting.

Experience with academically at-risk students.

Demonstrated experience in course design and development.

 

Evaluation of qualifications will be made through (1) descriptions of work experience and educational experiences in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in CV, and (3) information provided from professional references.

 

A background screening is required.

 

Application: 

All applicants must apply online at www.dom.edu/jobs. Please provide cover letter and resume, including a list of at least three professional references.

 

Dominican University is a Catholic, comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, with 53% of undergraduates first generation in college, 68% female, 55% Hispanic of Any Race, and 6% Black/African-American. Dominican University’s mission, in part, is to prepare students to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world. Toward that end, the university is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. For more information about Dominican University, see www.dom.edu.

 

Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a diverse faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.  We look forward to a diverse pool of applicants who bring varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

 

 

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