Writing Support Manager
Position Overview: The Writing Support Manager supports the development of academic and professional writing skills across the curriculum by managing, staffing, and coordinating the University's online and in-person writing support services, including the campus Writing Center. This includes managing the daily operations of the university's writing services, including student-employee-based peer writing tutoring and alternative tutoring models, such as third-party providers and AI-based services. This position will hire, train, and supervise peer tutors and manage the university's online writing tutoring platforms and services.
This position collaborates with academic departments to embed writing skill development and support within the curriculum, ensuring students have access to relevant tutoring services and resources at the point of need. This position will also collaborate with department peers to create a cohesive and holistic approach to supporting students through the entire research and writing process. The Writing Support Manager will work collaboratively to develop standardized processes, procedures, and policies related to all peer tutoring and will gather data on the value and effectiveness of writing support services.
The Writing Support Manager serves as part of the broader Library and Academic Support Services team and will develop, advocate for, and contribute to all academic support services, including library research support, writing support, tutoring, and instructional design services.
Essential Duties:
- Program management and promotion: Oversee the day-to-day management of the University's writing support services, including online platforms and in-person services through the Writing Center. Ensure a robust suite of services for all students, online and in-person, undergraduate through doctoral. Administer platforms for scheduling writing tutoring and gather usage statistics from those platforms. Recruit, hire, train, and supervise student employees as peer writing tutors. Contribute to the promotion and continuous improvement of library and academic support services through presentations, workshops, and gathering and synthesizing relevant data.
- Program development: Work with academic programs and library leadership to ensure new and existing programs have sufficient internal and external writing support options. Explore the feasibility of alternative writing support options, including third-party services, AI-based writing support services, and other forward-thinking ways of providing direct support to students. Incorporate these alternative writing support options within existing services to create a comprehensive and holistic suite of services.
- Curriculum review and development: Work with academic programs and colleagues in the Curriculum & Instruction Center to advance writing skill development across the curriculum. Advocate for the development of academic and professional writing skills as a measurable outcome for students. Advocate for the ethical use of AI and other writing support tools within the curriculum. Ensure writing support services align with academic programs, course outcomes, and assessments. Work collaboratively to ensure the academic writing process is interwoven with the academic research process. Gather and present data demonstrating the connection between academic support services and student success.
- Student support: Develop and conduct a program of both tutor- and student-focused workshops and group sessions, teaching all aspects of the writing process and writing skill development. Train peer writing tutors in best practices in writing and tutoring to ensure robust student support.
- Professional development: Participates in professional development. Remain current with new methods and best practices related to college-level writing support and related curriculum development activities.
Education & Experience:
- Required: Bachelor's degree in education or a similar field of study. A Master's degree in a similar field of study is preferred
- Required, 1-3 years: Experience providing writing support, tutoring, or coaching to undergraduate and/or graduate students
- Preferred: Experience serving students of diverse social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds
- Preferred: Experience serving non-traditional, adult, and distance learners
- Preferred: Experience providing tutoring in a virtual environment
- Preferred: Experience supervising and mentoring student employees
- Preferred: Experience delivering and assessing in-person and virtual student services.
- Preferred: Experience advocating for the academic support needs of students
Competencies:
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to articulate the role of academic support in higher education and demonstrate the capacity to contribute to the university's educational mission
- Ability to thrive in an environment that is rapidly changing. Demonstrated ability to work in a team and independently to accomplish departmental and institutional goals. Demonstrated ability to apply critical and creative thinking to the role of academic support in a higher education setting
- Experience providing a welcoming and supportive environment to users with diverse backgrounds and educational experiences. Experience serving non-traditional, adult, and distance learners
- Commitment to supporting the mission and values of a Lutheran University
Supplemental Information:
It is the policy of CSP to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
However, CSP is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CSP reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religious tenets.
The mission of Concordia University, St Paul, a university of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, is to prepare students for thoughtful and informed living, for dedicated service to God and humanity, and for enlightened care of God's creation, all within the context of the Christian gospel. This mission is rooted in academic excellence and Christian vocation.
The vision of Concordia University, Saint Paul, is to be acknowledged as the leading Lutheran university offering exceptional opportunities for students from all backgrounds who seek relevant career preparation and a challenging academic experience coupled with the insights of Lutheran theology.
Promise to Students - Concordia University, Saint Paul, empowers you to discover and engage your purpose for life, career and service, in a dynamic, multicultural, urban environment, where Christ is honored, all are welcome, and Lutheran convictions inform intellectual inquiry and academic pursuits.
Concordia University owns a 41-acre campus just West of Downtown St. Paul with easy access to light-rail and bus transportation. Only blocks away from popular Summit and Grand Avenues, restaurants, shopping, and cultural activities abound. Concordia is known to have one of the most racially and ethnically diverse university student bodies in the state of Minnesota.
CSP prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://www.csp.edu/student-life/title-ix/
Feel free to contact Cassidy Leininger - cleininger@csp.edu, with any questions
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