What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic Program Specialist position at ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC?
Position Summary:
The Academic Program Specialist is a full-time, administrative position reporting to the Senior Program Specialist. As the primary operational advocate for the College of Nursing, this role supports student recruitment, advising, scheduling, and program operations with a focus on enhancing student success, program growth, and operational excellence. The Academic Program Specialist ensures a student-centered experience that contributes to enrollment growth, retention, and streamlined administrative processes consistent with the University’s mission and values.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Recruitment & Outreach
- Lead recruitment efforts for the Nursing Programs in collaboration with Admissions, Marketing, Financial Aid, Registration, and academic departments.
- Achieve targeted enrollment goals through proactive and strategic outreach to prospective students.
- Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, industry partners, and government agencies to expand program visibility and pathways.
- Design, implement, and evaluate marketing campaigns to promote Nursing degrees to diverse external audiences locally, nationally, and globally
- Represent the College of Nursing at on-campus and off-site recruitment events, information sessions, and community engagements.
Student Advising & Support
- Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective and current students regarding program information, requirements, admissions processes, and progression.
- Advise students on course selection, degree requirements, registration processes, and graduation pathways.
- Monitor student progress and collaborate with faculty and support units to address barriers to success and retention.
- Facilitate information sessions, orientations, and workshops that support student engagement, retention, and academic success.
Program Operations & Administration
- Manage operational processes for the Nursing Programs, including scheduling, data tracking, reporting, record maintenance, and compliance with institutional policies.
- Coordinate with internal partners to ensure accurate course offerings, communications, and academic logistics.
- Use appropriate technology systems to optimize communication, streamline processes, and support data-driven decision making.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of program workflows and student service delivery.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, nursing, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
- Experience in higher education administration, student services, or program support, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse adult learners.
- Proficiency with technology and software tools used to support academic operations, communication, and process optimization.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in nursing education or healthcare settings.
- History of successful recruitment, marketing, or enrollment growth initiatives.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, student-centered learning environment.
Core Competencies
- Student-focused service orientation and commitment to retention and success.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing environments.
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with internal and external partners.
- Effective written and oral communication.
- Strategic mindset with attention to detail and data-informed planning