Lead Academic Completion Specialist

Lead Academic Completion Specialist

The Lead Academic Completion Specialist provides leadership and guidance to the Academic Completion Specialist team while delivering comprehensive academic advising and student success services. This position trains and mentors Academic Completion Specialists, collaborates closely with the Workforce Development Department to ensure seamless advising for non-credit and credit students, and supports student retention, persistence, and completion through proactive advising and coordinated student support.

Salary:
Appropriate placement on Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees Salary

Schedule:

E3 Grade 3 Salary Range $47,029- $65,218 (12 months, Non-Exempt) Salary step placement is based on experience per Drake State's practice for awarding salary step credit (Continuation of position is contingent upon grant funding)

Work Hours:

8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday - Thursday and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Friday

The Lead Academic Completion Specialist shall perform the duties as specified in conformity with policies established by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and the Drake State Community and Technical College Faculty and Staff Handbook.

• Serve as the lead advisor for the Academic Completion Specialist team by providing guidance, mentorship, training, and ongoing support to Academic Completion Specialists to ensure consistent, high-quality advising services.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate onboarding and professional development opportunities for Academic Completion Specialists, including training on advising best practices, student success initiatives, institutional policies, technology systems, and customer service standards.
• Monitor advising practices and provide recommendations to improve student engagement, persistence, and completion outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the Workforce Development and Adult Education Departments to ensure seamless advising, enrollment, and transition pathways for students enrolled in non-credit workforce training and Adult Education programs who seek to continue into credit-bearing certificate and degree programs.
• Coordinate advising processes between Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Student Services to support enrollment, retention, completion, career advancement, and successful transition of students into academic credit programs.
• Assist the Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Instructional Departments with Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) processes by helping in evaluating the conversion of eligible non-credit workforce training, industry-recognized credentials, certifications, and documented experiential learning into academic credit, in accordance with Alabama Community College System policies and institutional procedures.
• Build positive relationships with students and provide comprehensive, student-centered academic advising and mentoring.
• Provide direct, comprehensive program guidance to assigned students from pre-admission through graduation.
• Assist students in developing individualized academic plans that align with their educational and career goals.
• Maintain regular communication with assigned students through phone, email, virtual platforms, in-person meetings, and other approved communication methods to monitor academic progress and provide encouragement and support.
• Monitor student academic progress through the College's early alert system and intervene proactively with students experiencing academic or personal challenges.
• Assist students in identifying and accessing appropriate campus resources, including tutoring, disability services, counseling, financial aid, career services, and other student support services.
• Foster student accountability, academic success, persistence, and timely completion of educational goals.
• Consult and collaborate with faculty, academic departments, and student support personnel regarding student progress and intervention strategies.
• Assist with New Student Orientation, registration, admissions activities, and student success initiatives each semester.
• Coordinate and conduct workshops and presentations on academic success…