Assistant Director of Access and Academic Support

DEPARTMENT: Student Affairs and Resources

NORMAL WORK HOURS: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

OTHERS WHO MAY ASSIGN WORK: Dean of Students

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Access and Academic Support plays a key role in advancing equity, accessibility, and academic achievement across Olin College. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, the Assistant Director supports the daily operations of Disability Services at Olin (DSO) and Academic Support, helping to foster an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.

This position coordinates accessibility services, academic support programs, and related initiatives that promote disability awareness, universal design, and student success. The Assistant Director works closely with students, faculty, and staff to implement accommodations, manage academic support resources, and strengthen Olin’s commitment to innovation, access, and inclusion in both academic and co-curricular settings.

This is an in-person/on-campus position based in Needham, MA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Accessibility and Student Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for students seeking accessibility support, managing the intake, documentation review, and accommodation coordination process.
• Support institutional compliance with the ADA and related regulations by maintaining accurate records and staying current on relevant standards.
• Collaborate with faculty to facilitate the implementation of approved accommodations and promote awareness of inclusive teaching and universal design practices.
• Coordinate the day-to-day administration of housing and dining accommodations in collaboration with Residence Life and Dining Services.
• Support the work of the Accommodation Review Committee by preparing cases, maintaining documentation, and ensuring timely communication with students and faculty.
• Assist with the integration and use of assistive technology across campus to enhance accessibility for students.
• Communicate with prospective students and families regarding accessibility processes and available resources, reflecting Olin’s values of access and belonging.
• Work with campus partners to ensure that events and programs are physically and programmatically accessible for students.

Student Success & Academic Support

• Coordinate the daily operations of academic support programs, including tutoring and skill-building initiatives that foster student learning and success.
• Manage the peer tutoring program, including scheduling, training, and day-to-day support of peer tutors.
• Oversee the Academic Resource Consultant (ARC) program, a peer-led initiative that helps students strengthen academic and executive function skills such as time management, prioritization, and study strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to ensure academic support offerings align with student needs.
• Collect and organize data related to academic support participation and outcomes to inform program evaluation and improvement.

Education & Training

• Assist in the development and delivery of training sessions and workshops for students, faculty, and staff on accessibility, inclusion, and universal design for learning.
• Contribute to the creation of resources and programming that promote accessibility as an integral part of Olin’s academic culture.
• Serve as an approachable and knowledgeable resource for students and faculty on access, inclusion, and student support practices.

Campus Leadership & Collaboration

• Participate as a member of the CARE Team and other committees focused on student well-being, retention, and academic progress.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to support institutional goals related to access, belonging, and student success.
• Engage with professional networks and associations to remain current on best practices in accessibility and academic support.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, higher education administration, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant experience in accessibility services, disability resources, student success, or related areas within higher education.
• Working knowledge of disability rights laws (ADA, Section 504) and FERPA as applied to student accessibility and academic support.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate student accommodations and support services in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with a kind, empathetic, and student-centered approach.
• Proven organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail in a dynamic environment.
• Comfort using data and feedback to inform program improvements and enhance student outcomes.
• A collaborative and solutions-oriented work style, with demonstrated commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to values of equity, access, and belonging as integral components of student learning and success.
• Experience supporting accessibility and academic success initiatives in a STEM-focused or project-based learning environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with assistive technologies, universal design for learning (UDL) principles, and student information systems (e.g., Jenzabar, Banner) are preferred.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in evolving or experimental academic settings is preferred.