Academic and Life Skills; Patriot Pathways Coordinator

Academic And Life Skills (Patriot Pathways) Coordinator

The Academic and Life Skills (Patriot Pathways) Coordinator supports the academic success, retention, and holistic development of student-athletes by providing academic advising, monitoring progress toward degree completion, and collaborating with university faculty and staff. This role also leads and supports life skills programming through Patriot Pathways, fostering personal growth, career readiness, leadership development, and overall well-being. The position ensures compliance with NCAA academic standards while promoting an environment that advances both academic achievement and comprehensive student-athlete development.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary academic advisor for assigned athletic teams;
• Monitors academic progress and eligibility in accordance with NCAA, conference, and institutional policies;
• Coordinates course registration, class scheduling, and degree planning for student-athletes;
• Meets regularly with student-athletes to review academic performance and develop individualized academic success strategies;
• Maintains accurate academic records and prepares progress reports for coaches and administrators;
• Refers student-athletes to appropriate campus resources, including tutoring, counseling, and career services;
• Communicates consistently with coaching staff regarding academic concerns, progress, and milestones;
• Works closely with the Compliance Office to project and monitor NCAA academic eligibility for assigned student-athletes;
• Participates in staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and campus committees, as needed;
• Meets with prospective student-athletes for assigned sports, as requested;
• Assists the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development with the planning and implementation of programming aligned with the Patriot Pathways Program holistic student-athlete development model, which includes career readiness, personal development, leadership development, holistic wellness, and civic and community engagement;
• Assists in coordinating workshops, guest speakers, and events that promote personal growth and career readiness;
• Collaborates with campus departments (e.g., Career Services, Counseling Center) to connect student-athletes with relevant resources;
• Provides administrative support for assigned teams, including, but not limited to, course registration, textbook orders, tutor requests, and study hall monitoring;
• Collaborates with the department's Education Specialist to identify at-risk and underprepared student-athletes;
• Recommends and coordinates appropriate academic support services, including tutoring and referrals to other University resources;
• Assists student-athletes with time management and academic skill development, partnering with staff members and tutors to provide a holistic approach to academic support and engagement;
• Demonstrates understanding of best practices that promote academic integrity and adhere to all FERPA guidelines, NCAA and Atlantic 10 Conference rules, and George Mason University policies and procedures; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Associate Athletic Director for student-athlete development.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a relevant field, with experience (generally 2 to 4 years) in higher education, athletic administration, counseling, or related student support services;
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA eligibility standards and academic progress requirements;
• Experience monitoring academic progress and identifying at-risk student-athletes using appropriate academic support systems and tools;
• Knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility requirements, progress-toward-degree standards, and Division I compliance guidelines;
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to proactively address academic challenges and support student success;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey information to student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff;
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced,…