Established in 1789, the University of King’s College is Canada’s oldest chartered university and is associated with Dalhousie University. A small and extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia, King’s is known nationally and internationally for its interdisciplinary programs in the humanities, including its first-year Foundation Year Program, its professional programs in journalism and its fine arts programs in creative writing. King’s is a community in which students, faculty, alumni and staff work to bring greater understanding, creativity and compassion to the world.
Position description
Three-year contract, full-time | Subject to probationary period
Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Academic Support Coordinator will provide individualized academic and learning support planning to undergraduate students, so they have the tools to thrive. This role will facilitate access to existing campus supports and creating academic skill-building workshops and programming to strengthen engagement, retention and sense of belonging at the University of King’s College.
This position will address systemic barriers to academic well-being in partnership with other resources at King’s and Dalhousie University. The Academic Support Coordinator will work collaboratively across departments to ensure students receive timely support and opportunities to meet academic and personal goals, and will be involved in the collaborative creation of customized and flexible supports where there may be gaps.
Key responsibilities
- Meet with students individually or in small groups to offer non-course content advice to help students develop effective learning strategies and skills that contribute to academic success (e.g. time management, reading skills, exam preparation, note taking, memory, study skills, coping with procrastination, etc.), providing follow-up support as needed.
- Work in close coordination with faculty, support staff, coaches for student athletes, etc., to engage students who may benefit from academic supports and connect them with appropriate resources (faculty office hours, peer tutoring, writing coaches, academic advising, financial aid, community supports, etc.), including services available through Dalhousie (study coaches, peer tutoring, group workshops on study skills, career services). Students may also self-refer.
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging academic support programs/strategies in comparable postsecondary settings and recommend initiatives that could be implemented to address student needs in the King’s context.
- Identify gaps in existing academic support services and develop programming, workshops, materials, one-on-one or group opportunities to best address these gaps in collaboration with faculty and other colleagues/departments, as appropriate.
- Hire and train upper-year students to serve as peer mentors for group or individual support, and to help host workshops or other programming.
- Provide outreach for Black and African Nova Scotian, Mi’kmaq and Indigenous, first-generation and international students, helping to address systemic barriers to success, working cooperatively with colleagues at King’s and Dalhousie.
- Apply anti-racist, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to student engagement and support.
- Help students navigate King’s-Dalhousie systems confidently, ensuring timely access to shared academic services and co-curricular opportunities.
- Contribute to orientation and transition support programming, offering early engagement to new students and outreach to returning students on academic supports/skills.
- Collaborate with faculty, the Equity and Community Support Office, Residence Life, Academic Advising and other campus supports to ensure an equitable, coordinated approach to student care.
- Contribute to and expand student learning opportunities (peer mentorship, career exploration and alumni networking) at King’s and Dalhousie that help students prepare for and thrive after graduation, in collaboration with the appropriate colleagues.
- Identify gaps in academic services and programming that support students’ readiness for graduation, and work in collaboration with colleagues at King’s and Dalhousie, as well as students and alumni, to develop academic resource materials, workshops, programming to address these gaps.
- Assist with student feedback collection and contribute to program assessment and continuous improvement.
- Maintain brief records of student interactions and follow-ups for continuity of support.
- Monitor and follow up with assigned students at key academic milestones to support retention and persistence.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Skills
- Bachelor’s degree required
- A minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience in an academic administration, program coordination, or a related educational environment is required; Prior experience working in a university setting preferred.
- Strong knowledge of King’s-Dalhousie academic programs, services and student life experience.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong intercultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Experience supporting students with diverse needs, including those with disabilities or executive functioning challenges.
- Demonstrated ability to build rapport and maintain confidential, trusting relationships with students.
- Demonstrated understanding of how learning styles, neurodivergence and personal circumstances impact students’ academic experience.
- Experience using inclusive, adaptive learning interventions and referring to accessibility and/or health and wellness supports when appropriate.
- Experience working with or supporting equity communities namely Black and African Nova Scotian, Mi’kmaq and Indigenous, first-generation and/or international students, among others.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to recommend and encourage potential solutions within the framework of university policy and campus life.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with a small, interdisciplinary team.
- Supervisory experience is an asset.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, presentation software and student information systems (training provided).
- Availability for occasional evening and weekend hours during busy academic periods.
Additional Information
- Closing Date: March 31, 2026
- Preferred start date: June 1, 2026 for program roll out in the 2026/27 academic year
- Annual Salary range: $49,965 to $67,889
- Includes comprehensive benefits with medical and dental; eligible for enrollment in the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP).
The successful candidate will join a collaborative, service-oriented Enrolment and Student Life Services Team committed to supporting the King’s community.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to:
Pethrona Russell
Human Resources Manager
University of King’s College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2A1
pethrona.russell@ukings.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University of King’s College is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our community.