Director of Athletic Academic Services

Position Summary:

The Director of Athletic Academics at the Charles Luter Family Academic Success Center will provide comprehensive academic support primarily for football student-athletes, while collaborating with other sports as well. This position is responsible for monitoring NCAA eligibility, degree progress, academic performance, and supervising academic support staff. The Director reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Academic Support & Eligibility Monitoring

• Maintain accurate degree plans and monitor NCAA Progress Toward Degree requirements (6, 18,24 credit hours and percentage benchmarks).

• Participate in the certification process for assigned student-athletes.

• Evaluate high school and junior college transcripts to determine initial eligibility and transfer credits.

• Assist with administrative responsibilities related to academic support and compliance.

Staff Management & Supervision

• Supervise and provide guidance to academic support staff, including Academic Coordinators, tutors, and graduate assistants.

• Assign responsibilities, monitor performance, and support professional development of staff members.

• Foster a collaborative and accountable work environment that prioritizes student-athlete success

Academic Reporting & Communication

• Produce reports for coaches and athletic administration, including grades, study hall attendance, tutoring participation, and other academic metrics.

• Communicate academic progress and support needs effectively with coaches, staff, and faculty.

Recruiting Support

• Assist coaches in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes during official and unofficial visits.

• Provide accurate academic information to prospective student-athletes and families.

Compliance & Integrity

• Ensure compliance with University, SBC, and NCAA rules and regulations to maintain academic and administrative integrity.

Student Support & Risk Identification

• Build positive relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff, and faculty from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Identify at-risk student-athletes and coordinate referrals to appropriate academic support services. 

Performance Program Monitoring

• Monitor all aspects of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) and Graduation Success Rate (GSR) to meet university goals and standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the Charles Luter Family Academic Success Center

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of NCAA Division I academic eligibility rules, Progress Toward Degree

• requirements, and compliance regulations.

• Understanding of academic advising principles, student development theory, and learning support strategies for student-athletes.

• Knowledge of degree audit systems, student information systems, and academic software (e.g., Banner, DegreeWorks, Teamworks).

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to manage, mentor, and develop academic support staff.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail in monitoring academic progress and compliance.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to identify at-risk student-athletes and implement effective interventions and support strategies.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive academic and administrative matters.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn new software systems quickly.

• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-achieving academic environment.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and non-traditional hours as needed to support student athlete success.

Other:

APPLICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS
Candidates must submit:
Resume and Cover Letter
To apply, complete the required application at the appropriate university posting link and/or email materials to: Shawn Buckner - Sr. Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services atsbuckner@astate.edu

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of two to four years of experience in academic support, advising, or student services, preferably with collegiate student-athletes.

• Experience supervising or managing staff, including Academic Coordinators, tutors, Learning Specialists and/or graduate assistants.

• Knowledge of NCAA Division I academic eligibility policies, Progress Toward Degree

• requirements, and compliance regulations.

• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn academic/athletics software systems (e.g., Banner, DegreeWorks, Teamworks).

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive academic and administrative matters.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and non-traditional hours as needed to support student-athlete success.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in education, Counseling, Sport Management, or a related field.

• Three or more years of experience in academic support for Division 1 collegiate student athletes.

• Proven experience managing and developing academic support staff