Academic Strategist

About the Department of Access and Inclusion Services

Mount Royal University is committed to access, equity, and inclusion. Students who identify as belonging to one of the protected categories as defined by the Alberta Human Rights Act (AHR Act) are entitled to receive reasonable academic accommodations up to the point of undue hardship. Access and Inclusion Services assists the University in creating an accessible learning environment that encourages full participation in the learning environment for students who are eligible for accommodations under the provincial human rights legislation. Reasonable accommodations are tailored to the individual, flexible, and determined by considering the barriers within the unique environment of a post-secondary institution. We encourage student development and educate Mount Royal University about becoming more accessible, equitable, and inclusive.

About the Role

Reporting to the Academic Strategist Coordinator, the Academic Strategist will play an integral role in creating an accessible, equitable, and inclusive learning environment at Mount Royal University for students registered with Access and Inclusion Services. Academic Strategists are assigned a caseload of students with whom they meet individually to teach non-content-based study and learning strategies, while taking into account their disability-related learning barriers. When working with students, the Academic Strategist is expected to provide basic skill building in some or all of the areas of (as agreed upon between the student and the Strategist): metacognition and organization, reading skills, active learning, writing, test preparation, memory, self-advocacy, attention and concentration, communication, and critical thinking skills. The goal of the Academic Strategist position is to provide an equal opportunity learning environment for all Mount Royal University students.

Responsibilities

Learning Strategy Sessions

• Communicate with students about their functional limitations and barriers as it relates to their disability. 
• Explore and determine appropriate strategies with the student, both on their learning strengths and their barriers.
• Through regular meetings, review progress and offer strategies to students to meet their learning needs.
• Provide goals and strategies for students to develop self-advocacy and independently transfer skills for students to learn to independently apply them.
• Create individualized tools or plans unique to each student based on their barriers and functional limitations.
• Explore and identify the specific needs of each student based on their current academic demands.
• Assist students in understanding their barriers as it relates to their disability or disabilities.
• Support students in understanding and breaking down their barriers through a metacognitive approach.
• Modify planned activities and objectives of a session to address the concerns of the student and identify the barriers.
• Encourage and support student independence in accessing their accommodations, developing and using their strategies, communicating with faculty/staff to resolve issues, or seeking other supports.
• Model strategies with students.
• Identify and explore plans to support students navigate non-disability related protected (e.g., faith-based, cultural, etc.).

Student Engagement

• Lead and host student events for students registered with Access and Inclusion Services to promote social connection and inclusion. 
• Facilitate peer group discussions among students who share similar and parallel experiences.
• Build community, create a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment for students .
• Create learning content for peer groups and liaise with other community experts.
• Assess student needs as it relates to community and belonging.

Community Engagement

• Engage in MRU community events to educate and build awareness of AIS services.
• Provide presentations about learning strategies for disability-related barriers.
• Collaborate with other MRU departments where applicable to support access for students and remove disability-related barriers.

Administrative Preparation and Follow-up

• Schedule regular meetings with a student(s) to promote trust and enhance understanding of the student’s unique learning needs and disability-related challenges.
• Review students’ medical diagnosis, functional limitations, and barriers.
• Identify and prep all learning strategy materials required for printing and/or marketing materials.
• Create learning strategy materials as needed.
• Complete case notes summaries detailing student progress.
• Collaborate with Access Advisors and Assistive Technology Advisors to identify adjustments in services and accommodations.
• Communicate and maintain ongoing touch points with students (e.g., return to campus emails, reminders, cancellations, follow-up emails).
• Maintain data and metrics on student meetings and engagement.

Professional Expertise

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Access and Inclusion Services and Mount Royal University policies and procedures, as well as Mount Royal University services.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Alberta Human Rights legislation, MRU exam policy, and the Students' Accommodation policy.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of post-secondary student development literature, disability literature, medical terminology, and the varying impact of disability related barriers on learning strategies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices for delivering instruction to adult learners.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of MRU supports and services to provide timely and appropriate referrals to students.

Accommodated Exam Services

• Assist in the facilitation of accommodated final exams.
• Support students registered with Access and Inclusion Services during final exams.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work or a related field.
• 2 - 3 years experience in a relevant position.
• Knowledge and experience of post-secondary environments and/or adult learners in individual and group settings.
• Ability to interpret psychoeducational assessments to effectively implement learning strategies for students with multiple disabilities and specific learning needs.
• Ability to obtain factual and interpret information through interviews with students.
• Knowledge of learning barriers resulting from disability-related challenges and familiarity with available resources in Calgary.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion in the use of confidential information.
• Problem-solving skills, initiative, and creativity.
• Sensitivity to and knowledge of disabilities in general with an understanding of broad categories including learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, psychiatric diagnoses and/or medical conditions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize multiple assignments with competing demands.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive and collegial relationships, collaboration, and communication with a variety of individuals (e.g., staff, faculty, students, managers, etc.) .
• Maintain appropriate records by documenting communication with and regarding students.
• Knowledge of adaptive technology.
• Knowledge of the principles of Universal Design as they apply in a post-secondary educational institution.

Salary: $61,170.20 - $77,404.60
Closing Date:  Until a suitable candidate is found

A resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name]_[Requisition Number]_[Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith_9999_CV.pdf).