Reading and Writing Specialist

Who We Are:

National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service.

We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.

What You Will Do:

National Louis University’s Undergraduate College is seeking a Reading and Writing Specialist to join our team at the Chicago Loop campus (122 S Michigan) to provide tutoring in academic reading and writing.

This is a part-time position of approximately 16-20 hours per week, with scheduled time occurring primarily during daytime classes (9am-4pm).

• Tutoring and Academic Coaching

  • Provide one-on-one and small-group academic support, including informal assessment, feedback, modeling, and guidance

  • Design and implement tailored academic support plans that harness student strengths and foster independent learning

  • Employ responsive practices and support student development of metacognitive strategies

  • Build authentic relationships based on trust, awareness, emotional intelligence, and mutual accountability

  • Ensure that all students feel comfortable and confident in advocating for the supports that will help them to thrive academically

• Case Management and Student Tracking

  • Monitor student progress using academic performance indicators and engagement patterns to identify students most likely to benefit from early intervention

  • Maintain detailed and timely case notes, tracking support provided and outcomes over time

  • Make referrals and share information thoughtfully, ethically, and in adherence to all protocols and policies

  • Respond to student support requests in an effective and timely manner

• Instructional Partnership and Faculty Collaboration

  • Approach work with instructors using a “conspire and align” approach (rather than a hierarchical command model) to support shared student success goals

  • Regularly confer with classroom instructor to share insights into student progress and help instructors adapt facilitation

• Program Coordination and Team Collaboration

  • Engage in regular team meetings to review curriculum, reflect on teaching practices and data, and plan impactful student supports

  • Coordinate with partners and teams to connect students with resources and to share information that will better inform work in the program and at the university

• Relationship building

  • You connect with people from many different backgrounds. You find (and even create) opportunities to deepen connections and build authentic, mutual relationships with students and team members, and can do this across lines of difference, such as race or other identities.

• Continuous learning

  • You learn and adopt new tools, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance your work.

  • You approach work with students from a place of curiosity and active “not knowing.” You gain in-depth knowledge of students, including their backgrounds, experiences, interests, strengths, and challenges, and you leverage this knowledge to provide effective differentiated academic support and tutoring.

• Equity at the center

  • You can recognize ways in which positionally, power, and history may affect our efforts to provide academic support, and you strive to make our work more responsive, inclusive, and celebratory.

• Academic coaching and modeling

  • You make it your mission to support students in their academic development. You communicate high expectations and hold students accountable. You skillfully provide direction and take the time to offer clear, useful, and actionable feedback. You lead by example and motivate students to take action and meet goals.

• Produces compelling written and digital materials

  • Aims for clarity, “usability,” and attention to detail. Organizes and shares information effectively — whether writing an email, providing feedback to students, or creating…