Director of Learning Enhancement

Job Description:

This position serves as the primary leader for the Office of Learning Enhancement by designing and implementing academic support and coaching interventions informed by data and best practices. The Director of Learning Enhancement develops, executes, and monitors academic success programs and initiatives for KHSU-KansasCOM medical students through individualized or group instruction and works with students during all four years of the medical school’s curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to, study skill evaluation, counseling, development of a comprehensive student learning assistance program, and providing ongoing assessment of educational support services for continuous academic improvement.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides oversight and direction for the ongoing improvement of learning enhancement services.
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises Learning Specialists.
• Provides educational counseling to individuals and small groups of students in the development of critical-thinking skills, study skills, time management, note-taking, and test-taking skills to promote positive academic results. Documents course of action and follow-up. 
• Tracks student performance and evaluates if interventions are needed to improve individual and/or groups of students.
• Works closely with members of the medical education team to help support curricular innovation.
• Works collaboratively with the Student Affairs Manager to train, assess, and support tutors.
• Develops workshops for students on study habits, learning styles, and other relevant topics.
• Conducts workshops and individual sessions for students in preparation for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)  licensing exams.
• Maintains and provides oversight of a tutoring program for students in years one and two of the curriculum; evaluates existing program; implements and evaluates new initiatives to support student learning through testing.  This includes hiring, training, and supervising tutors.
• Helps design and implement academic support plans for students who are deficient in knowledge or skills.
• Continues to review student promotion and retention data among other learning outcomes and revises learning assistance programs and strategies to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Serves as a vital member of the Student Support Team.
• Develops and maintains policy and procedure manual for KHSU-KansasCOM academic counseling activities. Ensures that all policies and procedures are consistent with FERPA and Title IX requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Oversees all staff within the Office Learning Enhancement.

QUALIFICATION(S):  

• Master’s degree in education with a preference for candidates with specific academic counseling experience.  Terminal degree in Higher Education, Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences, Cognitive Sciences, or similar preferred.
• 3-5 years of previous experience in higher education and/or working with medical students.

KEY COMPETENCIES: 

• Demonstrated success in providing academic counseling in the following areas: study skills, learning challenges, test-taking strategies, time management, board exam planning, study groups, note-taking, and active learning strategies. 
• Must be able to communicate well in both individual and group settings. 
• Must possess a professional personality that is welcoming and customer-focused. 
• Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make valid judgments/decisions.

The essential physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

It is the policy of Kansas Health Science University (KHSU)-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) not to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth and any medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. KHSU-KansasCOM is committed to complying with all applicable laws regarding equal employment opportunities. KHSU-KansasCOM strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Kansas Health Science University offers a generous compensation and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to work for a leader in the field of education. Some of our key benefits include: generous paid time-off, medical and dental coverage, company-paid life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts (FSA), tuition reimbursement, professional development, and regular employee appreciation events.

Kansas Health Science University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.