Neurodiverse Student Specialist

Neurodiverse Student Specialist- Category:
- Professional- Subscribe:
- Department:
- Student Success- Locations:
- Old Westbury, NY- Posted:
- Apr 16, 2024- Closes:
- Open Until Filled- Type:
- Full-time- Position ID:
- 174766**About SUNY Old Westbury**:
The State University of New York at Old Westbury is a dynamic and diverse public liberal arts college that fosters academic excellence through close interaction among students, faculty and staff. Old Westbury weaves the values of integrity, community engagement, and global citizenship into the fabric of its academic programs and campus life. In an environment that cultivates critical thinking, empathy, creativity and intercultural understanding, we endeavor to stimulate a passion for learning and a commitment to building a more just and sustainable world. The University is a community of students, teachers, staff, and alumni bound together in mutual support, respect, and dedication to the Mission.

Since its foundation in 1965, SUNY Old Westbury has been committed to social justice, diversity, and the empowerment of traditionally underserved populations. The University serves a large proportion of non-traditional students and has earned the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity magazine for six consecutive years.

The primary purpose of this position is to support neurodiverse learners with innovative pedagogy and dedicated academic services, including one-to-one and group tutoring and workshops. This position will also provide consultations and professional development programming for faculty and learning center staff on supporting neurodiverse students. The Neurodiverse Support Specialist will also provide administrative support for the University's Learning Centers.

This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, two (2) year, grant funded position.

Reporting to the Assistant Provost, the Neurodiverse Student Specialist will:

- Provide face-to-face (F2F) and virtual tutoring to individual students and small groups in reading, writing, and quantitative reasoning as well as strategies for effective study habits and academic success.
- Provide writing support for every stage of the writing process (including brainstorming, outlining, organization, paragraph development, analysis, and sentence-level clarity) and for a wide range of assignments across disciplines as well as personal statements for graduate and professional programs.
- Assess individual learning needs and provide or arrange regular support and instruction as needed.
- Design and implement educational support activities, materials, programs, services and workshops to meet the needs of neurodiverse students.
- Design and lead professional development trainings in neurodivergent pedagogy for faculty, staff and learning center personnel.
- Consult with individual faculty and campus committees about supporting neurodiverse students.
- Liaison between OSSD, learning centers, faculty, and advisors to maximize student success.
- Assist with Learning Center administration including mentoring peer tutors, maintaining center schedules, and managing day-to-day operations.
- Lead and/or attend all in-house training and professional development meetings.
- Represent the Learning Centers at Campus Open House and other campus events.
- Develop and assist with campus initiatives to support neurodiverse students.
- Pursue professional development in higher education pedagogy and neurodiversity.
- Participate on campus committees as directed.
- Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and occasional weekend hours in support of special projects and/or events.

**Requirements**:
**Minimum Qualifications**:

- A minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited university or college (foreign equivalent or higher) preferably in Special Education, Disability Studies, Psychology, or related field.
- A minimum of three (3) years of full-time of relevant experience and/or related work experience, inclusive of working and providing academic support services to students that are neurodiverse in collaboration with staff and faculty in the support of these students for successful academic outcomes. Experience is to entail working with a diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and/or learning abilities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong listening, analytical, and problem-solving skills in work with academic staff and students.
- Experience teaching writing, reading, and/or academic skills in the classroom or Writing Center to neurodiverse students at the secondary or college level. (Experience as a student teacher qualifies.)
- Knowledge of regulations and laws associated with ADA and accommodations for people with disability.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and according to FERPA guidelines.
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