Position Summary
The Director of Academic Achievement and Bar Preparation supports student success at UIC Law. This position provides comprehensive academic support services to law students, including academic counseling, bar preparation programs, and initiatives designed to enhance academic performance and well-being. The Director will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fosters academic excellence and prepares graduates for successful careers in the legal profession.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Academic Support: Develop, implement, and oversee academic support programs for law students, including academic skills workshops (e.g., legal research, legal writing, exam preparation, time management, stress management). Provide individual academic counseling and support to law students, including academic performance assessments, goal setting, and developing personalized academic plans. Collaborate with faculty to identify and address student academic concerns. Monitor student academic progress and identify trends to inform program development and intervention strategies.
- Bar Preparation: Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive bar preparation programs for graduating students, including both first-time takers and repeat takers. Coordinate and deliver bar preparation courses, workshops, and resources, such as practice exams, simulated bar exams, and study groups. Maintain strong relationships with bar examiners and stay abreast of current bar examination trends and best practices. Collect and analyze bar passage data to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Student Success Initiatives: Develop and implement innovative programs and initiatives to enhance student academic success and well-being, such as peer mentoring programs, study groups, and wellness workshops. Collaborate with other departments and offices on campus to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to student support. Promote a positive and inclusive learning environment that fosters student engagement and success.
- Program Evaluation and Assessment: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of academic support and bar preparation programs through data collection, analysis, and student feedback. Collect and analyze data on student academic performance, bar passage rates, and student satisfaction to inform program improvements. Prepare reports and presentations on program outcomes for faculty, administrators, and stakeholders.
- Oversee the adjunct professors' preparation and teaching of the bar course.
- Supervise Academic Achievement team members.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school or its equivalent from a foreign country.
- Current or previous admission to a state bar in the United States.
- Experience leading an academic success and/or bar preparation program.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in academic support, academic advising, and bar preparation.
- Past law school teaching experience.
- Demonstrated ability to handle situations with sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor students.
- Strong writing, communication, and public speaking skills.
- Ability to build rapport with a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior teaching experience or experience working with graduate students, especially experience working with students on skills and/or bar preparation.
- Familiarity with psychological barriers that affect student learning and performance.
