Medical Student Academic Advisor & Learning Specialist

About the Job

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Duluth campus Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, and the Manager of Student Affairs, this role provides holistic support for medical students throughout their four-year journey, primarily serving the Duluth campus. Using an intrusive (proactive) advising model, the incumbent serves as the primary point of contact for Academic Advising and Case Management (80%), while integrating Specialized Learning Support (20%) to help students master the rigorous medical curriculum and milestone exams.

This role will cover students matriculating on the Duluth Campus. If a student transitions to another campus, this position will continue to support these students when they transition to clinical sites across the system.

The incumbent acts as a critical bridge between administrative progression requirements and evidence-based study strategies. This position reports to the Manager of Student Affairs for advising duties and receives functional support from the Office of Learner Development for learning specialist responsibilities.

Duties/Responsibilities

80%:
Academic Advising & Case Management

* Proactive Individualized Advising:
Act as the first point of contact, providing guidance on curriculum, specialty-specific clinical electives, and graduation requirements.

* Progression Tracking & Advocacy:
Monitor student progress to intervene early when academic difficulties arise; serve as the primary contact to the Committee on Student Scholastic Standing (COSSS).

* Strategic Case Management:
Develop and document formal academic plans for remediations, decelerations, and leaves of absence. Coordinate with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to ensure seamless accommodation compliance.

* Holistic Wellness Support:
Utilize active listening and empathetic questioning to build rapport. Identify students in mental health distress and facilitate immediate referrals to appropriate professional resources.

* Stakeholder

Collaboration:

Cultivate a robust network of relationships with faculty andbstaff to ensure successful implementation of academic plans.

* Diversity & Inclusion:
Establish advising practices that respect and support individual student identities, diverse backgrounds, and unique learning needs.

20%:
Integrated Learning Specialist Services

* Academic

Coaching:

Employ learning style diagnostic assessments to identify student learning needs; develop specific study plans focusing on time management, knowledge organization, and testing skills.

* Milestone Exam Support:
Lead or assist in the delivery of workshops and preparation plans for high-stakes exams, including NBME Shelves, USMLE Step 1, and Step 2 CK.

* Instructional Content:
Create and conduct high-quality learning strategy seminars, workshops, and video resources to improve student matriculation.

* Participate in Collaborative Student Affairs Efforts:

* Peer Support Coordination:
Collaborate with the Director of Learner Development to support the Peer Tutoring program, ensuring tutors are trained in evidence-based learning theories.

* Assessment & Analytics:
Collaborate with the Office of Learner development to analyze statistics through data management systems and evaluate the effectiveness of academic interventions and support services.

Work Environment

* Hybrid Structure:
On-site in Duluth on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; remote options available Mondays and Fridays.

* Travel:
While primarily based in Duluth, occasional travel to the Twin Cities or St. Cloud campuses may be required. Virtual support is provided for students who transition between campuses.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

* Education:

BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant work experience OR master's degree plus at least two years of relevant work experience.

* Experience:

Minimum of 2 years working with diverse adult learners in a higher education or medical school setting.

* Direct experience with high-impact learning strategies and an understanding of the unique pressures of medical education.

* Communication:
Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills; ability to translate complex academic policies for faculty and students.

* Technical Proficiency:
High proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Calendar) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

* Master's degree in Higher Education, Educational Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.

* Experience in medical education or other health professional student services.

* Background in academic coaching, classroom teaching, or administering peer support/tutoring programs.

* Familiarity with medical school standardized examinations (USMLE, NBME).

* Strong organizational skills and a history of student advocacy.

Key Competencies

* Empathy & Resilience:
Ability to support students through high-stress academic and personal crises.

* Collaborative Mindset:
Proven ability to engage across departments, from clinical faculty to the Office of Learner…