The University at Buffalo, School of Law (UB Law) Academic Success Program is designed to provide students with support through every stage of their legal education. The Associate Director of Academic Success and Bar Support will report to and work closely with the Director of Academic Success and the Vice Dean of Student Affairs to support student academic progress, including teaching or co-teaching UB Law’s summer JumpStart program, running small group academic sessions, managing an individualized academic counseling program, and potentially developing and teaching coursework for students who need to strengthen foundational skills. The primary responsibility of this position and program is to support bar exam success initiatives. The associate director will also coordinate this work with various vice deans, faculty, and staff. The associate director must show an aptitude for working with diverse populations in an inclusive environment.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Assist the director and various vice deans and faculty in developing new programming for student success, especially for students from diverse backgrounds.
- Maintain high level of integrity and confidentiality of student records and information.
- Communicate regularly and respond promptly to students, staff, and faculty.
- Assist the director and various vice deans and faculty in developing and implementing cohesive and comprehensive programming for students to promote their academic success through graduation and bar exam passage.
- Develop curriculum as needed to meet program goals.
- Data collection and analysis to impact decision making targeted at enhancing student academic success
- Implement data-driven processes for evaluating the success of students and program goals.
- Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of the law and rules necessary for successful completion of JD and LLM degrees in New York State as well as current and future exams, materials, and other requirements necessary to seek admission to the New York Bar.
- Regularly review the academic and bar success programs, research best practices for these programs, and make recommendations to improve them.
- Prepare and disseminate a variety of written communications to students including events, programs, and more.
- Host and/or attend a variety of student events, activities, and workshops related to academic success.
- Some evening and weekend hours required.
All applicants must have the following qualifications:
- JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Admission to practice in good standing in at least one state (or have been admitted to practice previously in at least one state in good standing with the ability to renew license).
- A demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations.
- At least three years of experience in legal practice.
- Experience working in either academic support at a law school, teaching at a law school, or working for or with a law school, law firm, or law-related organization in a teaching or mentoring capacity.
- Applicants must also possess an academic and/or practice history showing superior analytical, verbal, and legal research and writing skills.
- Experience working in a collaborative team setting, with a preference for those who have done so in connection with the development and implementation of an academic support program or in a similar academic setting.
Given the central role that the Associate Director serves in the academic success efforts at the law school, it is expected that the successful candidate will also possess some or all of the following:
- Prior experience managing or providing individualized academic support services in a law school setting.
- Teaching experience in a bar preparation or academic support program, a legal research and writing program, and/or in any other capacity requiring an emphasis on analyzing and applying the law.
- Familiarity with the subjects covered by the Uniform Bar Exam.
- A demonstrated ability to assist students with a diverse array of identified needs, including students for whom English is a Second Language (ESL), students with learning disabilities, and students with disparate learning styles.
How to apply: Applications should be submitted (and more information can be found) via the job posting link at the University at Buffalo website. A cover letter, curriculum vitae, and writing sample are required; teaching evaluations may also be submitted. Feel free to contact the Director of Academic Success, Bill MacDonald, at wmacdona@buffalo.edu or 716-645-5130 if you have any questions.
