Director of Student Resources/ Accessibility

Director of Student Resources/ Accessibility

The University of Tennessee Southern

About the University

The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a small public university established in 2021 through the acquisition of Martin Methodist College, founded in 1870. Located in Pulaski, UT Southern stands as the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System. It is the only public four-year institution of higher education between Chattanooga and Memphis, and situated along Tennessee’s southern border, the campus is conveniently located about 70 miles south of Nashville and 40 miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. The over 1,000 students enrolled at UT Southern enjoy a private, small-college experience at an affordable, public-university cost. Low student-teacher ratios, high classroom personalization, and the resources of a land-grant university system are among the many advantages students experience. Nearly 30 academic programs are available through the schools of business, education, arts and humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing, and social sciences. The UT Southern Firehawks, competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference, have 19 nationally competitive athletic teams. Both the women’s and clay target programs have recently won national championships.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees recently approved UT Southern’s inaugural five-year strategic plan: Igniting Excellence. The strategic plan is built on three foundational pillars designed to guide UT Southern through its next phase of growth and development: enhance academic excellence and promote innovation; create transformational student experiences and foster student success; and establish greater connectedness and facilitate campus and community engagement.

The University of Tennessee Southern’s vision is to be the epicenter for education, community leadership, and workforce development in south-central Tennessee and a national model for higher education in rural America.

The mission of the University of Tennessee Southern is to:

• provide undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that are designed to prepare students for careers and lives of continued learning;
• promote a diverse and globally conscious learning community that nurtures intellectual, social, and personal growth; and
• serve the region through educational, social, and cultural programs and through community outreach and development.

The Opportunity

The University of Tennessee Southern enthusiastically invites applications for the position of Director of Student Resources/ Accessibility. This position leads academic and housing accommodation processes for the university along with coordinating comprehensive academic support efforts (tutoring, supplemental instruction, and peer mentoring). This position will serve as the disability accommodation and student resource expert, overseeing service planning, administration, and evaluation; and meets with students to determine reasonable accommodations in compliance with ADA and Section 504 and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities standards.

Duties and responsibilities include,but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for engaging students requiring accommodations, prioritizing student accessibility and success.
• Serve as the point of contact for students, faculty and staff seeking information.
• Assess student accommodation requests.
• Engage students in an interactive process to develop accommodation plans in compliance with the ADA, Section 504, and other relevant laws and professional standards.
• Determine appropriate accommodations through review of documentation from medical, psychological, and educational professionals and the utilization of professional judgment.
• Provide students with information about additional campus services.
• Document interactions with students.
• Collaborate with departments to assist with the provision of accommodations, particularly academic and residential accommodations.
• Oversee tutor hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management while also serving as a liaison between the Student Resources and academic programs.
• Recruit, interview, orient, supervise, and evaluate staff, including student tutors.
• Provide training for tutors in policies and procedures, tutoring techniques, subject-area concepts, and application of technology.
• Collaborate with academic programs to improve services and engage faculty in tutoring and supplemental instruction activities.
• Serve as testing proctor.
• Developing and present trainings and educational materials to instructors, students, and staff on accommodation resources and request processes and student resource options.
• Plan and execute educational events regarding both student conduct and disability accommodations, collaborating with partners across the University.
• Contribute to University procedures based on best practices in both accessibility and student resources.
• Collect and Analyze Data to Identify Critical Needs and Develop Appropriate Resources Assess the effectiveness of programs and services as well as outcomes related to these programs and services.
• Provide Leadership for Assessing New Technologies and Evolving Learner Needs.
• Attend CARE, and other meetings related to student care and concern.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree. Master’s preferred.
• 2+ years of professional experience in education, case management, working with students with disabilities, tutoring, or academic support services and/or a combination/other related professional work experience.
• Experience coordinating and leading team activities.
• Experience interacting successfully with students, faculty, and staff.

Application Process

For full consideration, candidates should apply electronically using the link below with a 1) cover letter addressing their interestin and qualifications for the role, 2) a CV/resume, and 3) a list of at least three professional references (include name, email, phone number, and nature of the relationship).

Application Link