Academic Program Specialist

Chaminade University of Honolulu

MISSION STATEMENT

Chaminade University offers its students an education in a collaborative learning environment that prepares them for life, service and successful careers. Guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, Chaminade encourages the development of moral character, personal competencies, and a commitment to build a just and peaceful society. The University offers both the civic and church communities of the Pacific region its academic and intellectual resources in the pursuit of common aims.

I. Position Information

Title: Academic Programs Specialist

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: Vice Provost

Exempt

Full Time, 12 month position (may require occasional weekend and evening work)

Temporary Position through September 30, 2027

EAM III

II. Position Summary:

As a member of the Vice Provost team, the specialist engages students in our Early College and Prison Education programs, respectively. In this role, the specialist promotes all dimensions of academic preparedness and student success. The specialist has a dual responsibility to provide success support to incarcerated students (50%) and to Early College students (50%). In the role of Prison Education specialist, this position will focus on proactive engagement with students to ensure retention, persistence, and success through academic intervention working in concert with the Director for Prison Education. The specialist will also work with the Director of Early College to assist dual-enrollment high school students in academic exploration, academic intervention, and will track student progress. For both populations, the specialist will work with students on pathways to college post-release and for Early College, from high school to college.

III. Reporting Relationship(s):

Direct Report: Director of Early College and Director of Prison Education

Indirect Report: Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

IV. Essential Duties and responsibilities:

Prison Education Specific Specialist Responsibilities:

• Build positive relationships with incarcerated students to offer guidance, encouragement, and academic support throughout their educational journey.
• When appropriate, help students select courses and develop personalized academic plans for post-incarceration continued education.
• Collaborate with the Prison Education Program Director to assist students in developing reentry plans, including educational and vocational goals, employment strategies, and community resources.
• Connect students with available resources and services within the correctional facility, such as tutoring, library access, and educational materials.
• Develop, deliver or coordinate educational workshops and seminars on topics such as study skills, time management, and career exploration, in addition to Mellon-sponsored Arts & Humanities workshops.
• Track and assess student performance, identifying areas where additional support may be needed.
• Collaborate with instructors to address academic challenges and provide appropriate interventions.
• Visit students on site weekly (visits can rotate between facilities) and stay in communication with students throughout the week through their learning management system.

Early College Specialist Responsibilities:

• Assist students in understanding academic policies, procedures, and resources available to them.
• Foster positive relationships with students to offer guidance, mentorship, and support throughout their educational journey.
• Conduct one-on-one coaching sessions to address academic challenges, time management, study skills, goal setting and more.
• Collaborate with the Director of Early College and faculty to ensure presence at special Early College events.
• Collaborate with the Director of Early College or other special program coordinators in program development, implementation, and assessment to enhance student outcomes.
• Facilitate the transition of Early College students to the college environment, providing guidance on academic expectations and campus resources.
• Offer personalized support to special program students, including first-generation students to promote retention and persistence in special programs.
• Develop and deliver (or coordinate) workshops, seminars, and informational sessions on topics such as college readiness, study skills, career exploration, and personal development.
• Create resources to assist students in achieving academic and personal goals.
• Visit Early College students in in-person programs at least biweekly, and maintain regular check-ins with all other Early College students/cohorts through email or other software solutions.

Other Duties as Assigned

V. Disclaimer: This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive. The percentages regarding the essential and non-essential functions of the job are not precise and are only an approximation, which can vary on a day-to-day basis and are subject to change on an as-need basis and/or in the sole discretion of supervisory management.

VI. Qualifications

Minimum Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Counseling, Human Resources, or other related field is required.

Minimum Experience and Skills: Two years work experience in teaching, counseling, or administration in higher education is preferred. Excellent working knowledge of computers; strong communication skills – written and oral; experience analyzing data and preparing reports. Experience working with Pacific Islander, Asian American, and local Hawai‘i students highly preferred. The successful candidate will value the developmental opportunities of a small campus setting, enjoy working on a team, be able to manage time efficiently and handle multiple tasks.

VII. Marianist Identity/Native Hawaiian & Pacific Island Serving: An expressed willingness to respect and support the Catholic and Marianist identity of Chaminade University of Honolulu and to perform all duties in a manner consistent with Marianist educational values and mission of the University. Understanding of and respect for the University’s designation as an institution serving students of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island ancestry.

VIII. Physical Requirements: Candidate must be able to traverse the campus, stoop, bend, climb stairs, lift approximately 10-20 lbs., stand for prolonged periods of time, and have finger dexterity.This position also requires the ability to communicate verbally, clearly and effectively with students and colleagues, and to hear and understand.

IX. Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and work with individuals at all levels of the university.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, students and community members of diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google or related software.
• Highly organized with strong personal management skills in order to meet the needs of a dynamic environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to interpret financial data and prepare budgets and financial grant reports.
• Ability to create, maintain, analyze, and negotiate.
• Attention to detail with a focus on thoroughness and quality.
• High integrity and ethical standards.

X. Physical Requirements

Duties involve light work in an office and community setting and requires a minimum of physical effort with intermittent sitting, standing, climbing stairs, and walking inclines. Must be able to lift 20 pounds, walk the campus with ease, and have excellent motor skills. Must have finger dexterity. Must be able to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.

XI. Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• This is a full time, exempt position. Forty hours per week (M-F) will be the general rule. However, depending on the project cycles and workflow demands of the department, additional hours or workday schedule changes may be occasionally required. Must be willing and able to work occasional nights and weekends and have a varying schedule when required.
• Performs such similar, comparable or related duties as may be assigned or required.
• Observes all safety and health regulations and works in accordance with safe work procedures and policies of the University. Reports unsafe acts/conditions and injuries in a timely and proper manner.
• The employee is expected to adhere to all University policies while employed. The policies can be found at or on the employee Share Portal.

XII. Marianist Identity/Native Hawaiian & Pacific Island Serving:

An expressed willingness to respect and support the Catholic and Marianist identity of Chaminade University of Honolulu and to perform all duties in a manner consistent with Marianist educational values and mission of the University. Understanding of and respect for the University’s designation as an institution that serves students of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island ancestry.