Academic Coordinator

Department: Intercollegiate Athletics

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason Athletics unites communities by developing champions with a mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports. Mason Athletics serves 500 student-athletes in 22 NCAA Division I sports. We are a proud member of the Atlantic 10 Conference with over 20 Conference Championships, NCAA Championships in Women’s Soccer and Men’s Indoor Track, an NCAA Final Four appearance with Men’s Basketball, and over 30 individual National Champions. We are student-focused, education-centered, and committed to providing transformational experiences for our student-athletes and staff. Our five priorities are Student-Athlete Experience, Competition, Resources, Storytelling & Engagement, and Championship Culture.

About the Position:

The Academic Coordinator supports the academic success and retention of student-athletes by providing academic advising, monitoring progress toward degree completion, and collaborating with university faculty and staff. This role ensures compliance with NCAA academic standards while creating an environment where student-athletes can succeed academically and personally.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary academic advisor for assigned athletic teams;
• Monitors academic progress and eligibility in accordance with NCAA, conference, and institutional policies;
• Coordinates registration, class scheduling, and degree planning for student-athletes;
• Meets regularly with student-athletes to review academic performance and develop individualized success strategies;
• Maintains thorough academic records and prepare progress reports for coaches and administrators;
• Refers student-athletes to campus resources, such as tutoring, counseling, and career services;
• Communicates consistently with coaching staff regarding academic concerns and milestones;
• Participates in staff meetings, professional development, and campus committees as needed;
• Works closely with compliance office in projecting and monitoring NCAA academic eligibility for all assigned student-athletes;
• Meets with recruits for assigned sports, as requested;
• Provides administrative support for assigned teams including but not limited to course registration, book orders, tutor requests, and study hall monitoring;
• Works with department education specialist to identify at-risk and underprepared student-athletes;
• Recommends appropriate support services including tutoring or referral to other university resources;
• Assists with time management and academic skill building, partnering with other staff members and tutors, to provide a holistic approach to academic support and engagement;
• Understands best practices to promote academic integrity and abides by all FERPA rules, NCAA and A10 rules and George Mason University policies and procedures. 
• Assists in the planning and implementation of programming, including life skills, leadership, career development, and community engagement;
• Assists in and or coordinates workshops, guest speakers, and events that promote personal growth and career readiness; and
• Partners with campus departments (e.g., Career Services, Counseling Center) to connect student-athletes with resources. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree, or any combination of bachelor's degree, training, certification that equates to the advanced degree, in education, Counseling, Sport Management, or a related field;
• Experience in application of NCAA Eligibility Rules for student-athletes (Progress Towards Degree, Academic Progress Rate, Graduation Success Rate);
• Knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility requirements, progress-toward-degree standards, and compliance guidelines for Division I student-athletes;
• Knowledge of FERPA guidelines and the ability to comply with institutional policies related to student records and privacy;
• Skill in written and verbal communication to clearly convey information to student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff;
• Skill in problem-solving and critical thinking to proactively address academic issues and support student success;
• Ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with diverse student populations, academic personnel, and athletic staff;
• Skill in using academic software platforms (e.g., Teamworks, GradesFirst, Retain) to track and report student progress;
• Ability to assess individual academic needs and develop tailored academic success plans for student-athletes;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when working with sensitive academic and personal information; and
• Familiar with monitoring academic progress and identifying at-risk student-athletes using appropriate academic support systems and tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 1–2 years of experience in academic advising or student support services;
• Minimum of two years of learning services experience in the collegiate setting or K-12;
• Familiarity with NCAA eligibility standards and academic progress rules;
• Experience in application of NCAA Eligibility Rules for student-athletes (Progress Towards Degree, Academic Progress Rate, Graduation Success Rate);
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Organizational skills with the ability to multi-task;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills; and
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Academic Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.