Director of Academic and Bar Success at University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Law School seeks an energetic, innovative, and experienced Director of Academic and Bar Success. The Director will further develop and implement Minnesota Law’s programming to support students’ academic development, to equip all JD graduates for success on the bar exam, and to assist candidates with the bar application process.

The Director will work closely with faculty and staff (particularly the Office of Student Affairs, the Career Center, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs) to: develop and present programming for all JD students concerning academic success and bar readiness; provide tailored assistance for at-risk students including advising, coaching, instruction, and referrals to resources; offer bar-related advising and support to individual students on matters such as character and fitness concerns or course selection; teach 1-2 law school courses selected based on the Director’s expertise; and track relevant data related to bar passage and other academic success metrics. The Director is invited to participate as appropriate in workshops, faculty meetings, and Law School events. Scholarly writing, especially on topics related to teaching and learning, is welcome but not required.

Duties will include:

Tailored Support for Individual Students (40%)

     Coordinate with faculty, Office of Student Affairs, Career Center, and others to systematically identify at-risk students and develop strategies for providing individualized support from these sources.
    Deliver advising, assessment, and coaching support to JD students, including those near or below thresholds for academic probation or academic watch, or who present risk factors correlated to lower bar passage rates.
    Develop and implement individualized Bar Success Plans to address barriers, refer students to appropriate support resources, and assist students to develop core study, legal analysis, and exam-writing skills.
    Coordinate with colleagues in the Office of Student Affairs concerning student support needs such as reasonable accommodations, counseling, and other outside referrals.
    Provide strategic advising to individual JD students about bar application, including but not limited to: character and fitness concerns; professional considerations with respect to the location and timing of bar application; and advance planning for the financial and time commitments required for bar success.
    Conduct direct outreach to recent graduates to promote completion of bar preparation courses and provide assistance addressing barriers interfering with bar preparation.
    Hold regular office hours for students with questions about the bar exam and application process.

 

Bar-Related Programming (20%)

    Develop and present programming, both live and online, to inform all JD students, at appropriate times in their law school career, about important bar-related issues such as bar exam elements, knowledge and skills necessary for exam success, character and fitness issues, and strategic considerations around bar application and preparation.
    Develop and present workshops in the months before each bar exam administration date to supplement graduates’ bar study with commercial providers.
    Advise the faculty and the administration on relevant matters including bar preparation initiatives and state bar examination and admission policies.
    Establish and maintain relationships with bar examiners in Minnesota and other jurisdictions to propose improvements in the bar application process and the bar exam.
    Attend regional and national academic support conferences.

 

Academic Success Programming (15%)

    Develop and present programming, both live and online, to provide academic success guidance and resources to JD students, especially in their first year.
    Oversee the Law School’s longstanding peer academic support program (known as “Structured Study Group”).
    Work with faculty, including the Director of Legal Writing, to ensure students are receiving robust training in vital skills such as legal analysis, written communication, and preparation and completion of exams, consistent with the Law School’s identified “Learning Outcomes” objectives.
    Promote strategies to address potential barriers to academic success in diverse populations, including first-generation students, minority groups, and those with identified learning challenges.

 

Teaching (15%)

    Teach 1-2 courses at the Law School, potentially including general curriculum courses or seminars (possibly a core first-year course) or sections of Legal Writing or Law in Practice. Courses will be assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs based on the Director’s expertise and preference and institutional needs.

 

Data Tracking, Analysis, and Follow-up (10%)

    Coordinate with Office of Student Affairs to maintain bar passage records for institutional reporting and analysis, including annual ABA accreditation-related survey.
    Analyze JD student data to identify risk factors.
    Coordinate with commercial bar preparation vendors to track graduates’ registration with and progress through commercial bar preparation courses.

 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school plus three years of relevant experience
•  Bar membership in a US jurisdiction (may be inactive)
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication with both individuals and large groups
• Interpersonal skills relevant to individualized academic counseling and coaching
• Knowledge of learning and teaching strategies for law students and other adult learners
• Experience working with, and demonstrated commitment to supporting, diverse populations
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least three years of experience in law practice
• Strong academic achievement, particularly in law school
• Employment in a law school, particularly in connection with academic and bar success
• Higher education teaching experience
• Advising, counseling, or tutoring experience
• Experience working with students with disabilities, including non-apparent disabilities

TO APPLY
This position is open until filled. Priority deadline for applications is December 6, 2019. People of color, women, and LGBTQA+ persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications will only be accepted through the University of Minnesota online employment system and only complete applications will be considered. A complete application consists of a cover letter, a resume, and a list of three references who will not be contacted without prior notice. To apply, go to https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/334270.
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.