Learning Specialist - Educational Affairs

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State College of Medicine seeks an experienced and student-centered Learning Specialist to join our dynamic team of medical educators and academic support professionals. The Learning Specialist will provide individualized academic support, develop evidence-based learning interventions, and collaborate with faculty and student affairs professionals to promote student success throughout the medical education curriculum. This position will report to the Associate Dean for Student Assessment and Program Evaluation.

• Assess students’ learning needs and help them develop effective, evidence-based learning and study strategies.
• Maintain expertise in innovative educational practices, learning science, instructional technologies, and resources that support student success.
• Develop and facilitate workshops, seminars, and online learning modules that promote active learning and effective study strategies for diverse learners.
• Identify and support students experiencing academic difficulty through individualized academic assessments and coaching.
• Develop personalized study and remediation plans, including measurable goals, timelines, and progress monitoring.
• Establish clear expectations for academic performance and monitor student progress toward achieving academic success.

• Design, implement, and manage the mandatory Student Success Program for students identified as academically at risk.
• Enroll students in the program following three borderline grades or one Did Not Meet (DNM) performance designation.
• Evaluate the need for disability accommodations and facilitate appropriate referrals when warranted.
• Conduct weekly individual meetings with participating students.
• Review and provide feedback on required weekly study plans.
• Review at least one student-generated study product each week and provide targeted coaching and recommendations.
• Monitor student progress and determine continued participation in the program.
• Support students in the program until they achieve a passing score above borderline on their next summative assessment.

• Meet regularly with Student Affairs and Educational Affairs teams to support student success initiatives.
• Collaborate with College of Medicine leadership and support services to facilitate referrals to tutoring, counseling, disability services, society advisor coaches, and career advising resources.

• Assist in the recruitment, training, and development of peer tutors and attend peer-led tutoring sessions as appropriate.
• Collaborate with leadership to design and deliver faculty development workshops, consultations, and educational programming.
• Maintain student records and documentation in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Collect, analyze, and report programmatic data to identify trends in student needs and inform continuous program improvement.
• Support student-focused events and activities, including orientation, transitions programming, graduation, and related functions.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

• Occasional travel between the Hershey and University Park campuses may be required.
• Participation in occasional evening programs or meetings may be necessary.

• Master’s, Ed.D., or Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, Educational Psychology, Adult Education, Learning Sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in assessing learning skills and diagnosing barriers to effective learning.
• Significant experience providing academic coaching, counseling, or…