Senior Academic Advisor, Student Athletes

Position Summary

The Senior Academic Advisor for Student Athletes provides high quality academic advising and personal development to student athletes. The Senior Academic Advisor tracks and measures student academic success and transition. This position monitors and ensures NCAA eligibility benchmarks are met within guidelines of university standards culminating in timely graduation. This position collaborates with student support services to provide holistic support. The Senior Academic Advisor upholds confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

This position supports the department in professional development of student employees.

Serves as the primary academic advisor and counselor for an assigned caseload of student athletes; advises assigned caseload on academic matters to include degree planning, selection of major(s) and minor(s), curricula and core requirements, course scheduling and sequencing, and arranging appropriate academic timelines leading to personal and academic success; collaborates with College Advisors and program advisors to provide holistic student support and ensure all academic policies are upheld;

ensures student satisfaction and success by meeting with students individually throughout the academic year; reviewing degree plans to assure students are progressing satisfactorily; and discussing academic development goals with students; meets regularly with members of assigned athletic teams to monitor academic progress in each class, including performance on tests, quizzes, papers, attendance, etc.; evaluates student academic background and assist in registration process for incoming and returning student-athletes;

identifies students facing academic difficulties, personal challenges, or other risk factors, and devise suitable interventions; communicates and/or refers these cases to the relevant parties and executes corrective action agreements as needed; uses appropriate technologies, available reports, and student tracking systems to identify and address academic challenges and concerns faced by students, offering appropriate interventions and viable solutions; works closely with first-generation college and international student-athletes to create personalized academic plans that consider their unique backgrounds while helping them adjust to the expectations and culture of higher education;

monitors study hall and tutoring reports of assigned student athletes; monitors and helps motivate students, helps develop plans for success, supports work completion and submission, and provides other academic support to student athletes; travels with assigned teams to away events to provide support for student-athletes; and celebrates student accomplishments, recognizes student successes and personal triumphs, and recommends students to scholarships and other awards.

Learns and follows NCAA Rules and Eligibility guidelines for student athletes; tracks and ensures NCAA and Tulane University eligibility and progress towards degree requirements are being met; collaborates with Compliance to verify continuing eligibility certification data each semester through certification check sheets updated with appropriate data; communicates with coaches any concerns around students meeting eligibility benchmarks; develops academic recovery plans/corrective action agreements for students to meet eligibility requirements;

assists the Compliance and Transfer Credit Specialist within Newcomb-Tulane College with the transfer credit process; reviews unofficial transcripts, course descriptions, and syllabi for potential transfer credit; maps potential academic major pathways for transfer students based on NCAA benchmarks; assists students and College Advisors with core petitions for generic transfer credit; collaborates with students and Compliance to produce documentation for NCAA eligibility waivers or petitions;

seeks appropriate explanation from the compliance staff before acting when necessary; and reports potential rules violations immediately.

Recruits future student athletes for Tulane athletic teams; meets with prospective students and their families; develops recruiting presentation around Tulane curriculum and academic services; and participates in recruiting events as requested.

Maintains appropriate communication and documentation of student engagement and NCAA rules for assigned student caseload; maintains accurate and confidential student records, including academic plans, progress reports, and advising note in accordance with FERPA; communicates professionally and effectively with students through various channels, including in-person meetings, email, virtual platforms, and texts; provides clear, accurate, and consistent communication on a regular basis with athletic coaches and administrators about the progress and academic updates of assigned…