Student Academic Services Specialist

Department: Academic Affairs and Services

Reports To: Director of Student Academic Services

Employment Classification: Full Time/Exempt

Location: Howell

Position Summary: Provides frontline service for a cohort of students and operational support to the Student Academic Services department. The Specialist is responsible for processing academic records transactions, supporting course registration and scheduling, and providing high-quality service to students, faculty, and staff through the central ticketing system, phone, email, and in-person interactions.

This position plays a vital role in ensuring the accuracy of student records, timely resolution of student requests, and seamless integration of advising and registrar functions. The Specialist acts as a bridge between compliance-driven processes and student-facing support, contributing directly to institutional risk reduction and student success outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Records & Compliance Support

• Advise students to navigate key transactions including withdrawals, drops, and program change requests.
• Support transcript evaluations, degree audits, and graduation processes.
• Assist with SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) notifications, compliance documentation, and FERPA-protected record management.
• Maintain accurate records in the Student Information System (SIS) and ensure consistency across advising notes and records.

Scheduling & Operations

• Provide administrative support to the Dean for semester course scheduling and section building.
• Ensure accuracy of student academic plans.
• Assist students with schedule-related questions and data entry.

Student Success & Advising Support

• Respond to student inquiries via phone, email, walk-ins, and the ticketing system, escalating complex issues to the Director as needed.
• Support proactive outreach campaigns (e.g., registration reminders, retention interventions).
• Provide frontline assistance to students during high-volume periods such as registration, add/drop, and commencement.

Service Excellence

• Serve as the first point of contact for Student Academic Services, triaging requests efficiently.
• Contribute to a culture of student-centered service with professionalism, empathy, and accountability.
• Ensure timely resolution of tickets and maintain accurate documentation of all student interactions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential student information in compliance with FERPA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with student information systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with course scheduling or degree audit systems.
• Familiarity with CRM or ticketing systems for student service management.
• Knowledge of academic policy, student success practices, and compliance standards.

Key Attributes and Competencies:

• Student-centered approach to service delivery.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative mindset with cross-functional teams.
• Problem-solving skills with a focus on timely and accurate resolution.
• Commitment to supporting a diverse student population.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear.
• Attendance at special events required, which may be in the evenings/weekends.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience. Eligible for full-time university benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Cleary University is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applicants of all backgrounds and provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.