Learning Consultant- Academic Success Program (Indigenous)

Position Summary

At Laurier, we are a community. It’s what brings our students here and what keeps our people here.

As an educational institution, we inspire lives of leadership and purpose in our student community. As an employer, we seek, foster and value the same qualities of leadership and purpose in our employee community.

We currently have an opportunity to join the Laurier community as a Learning Consultant- Academic Success Program (Indigenous). This position is jointly managed by the Manager, Indigenous Student Services, and the Associate Direction, Transition & Learning Services.

The incumbent will provide a range of services to support student access, transition support, and academic success programs for Indigenous students at Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses. This position will be primarily located in Waterloo with travel to the Brantford campus two days per week.

This role is a multi-functional role that encompass three main accountabilities. As a Learning Consultant the incumbent will provide individual consultations to help students develop the necessary learning and study skills to be successful with their studies at Laurier. Working in collaboration with the Transition & Learning Services team and Indigenous Student Support team, the incumbent will lead and coordinate the logistics associated with delivering the Indigenous Academic Success Program. 

The Learning Consultant, Indigenous Academic Success Programs acts as a resource to self-identified Indigenous students at Laurier to identify learning and study skills needs while offering programming in culturally-relevant, responsive, holistic academic supportive environment. 

The position requires regular evening and weekend work for observation and evaluation of student employees and to assist with the program delivery.

The incumbent may undertake special projects related to the evolving development of the Indigenous and Transition & Learning Services portfolios. This position requires occasional travel with work done on-site at partner locations and all of Laurier's campuses.

Accountabilities

Academic Success Programs

Working with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the manager, Transition & Learning Services, leads, develops and coordinates academic success program tailored to Indigenous student cohorts in Waterloo and Brantford. Cohorts may include new incoming students, senior students, students on probation, graduate students and program-specific cohorts.

Incoming Indigenous Student Support – Laurier 101 Transition Program

• Leads outreach, coordination, and facilitation of Indigenous student transition programming.
• Supports the Laurier 101 team in delivering summer transition initiatives.
• Develops new transition programs tailored to diverse Indigenous student cohorts, including mature and transfer students.
• Hires, trains, and supervises Indigenous student academic mentors.
• Provides monthly one-on-one academic coaching and study skills sessions.
• Manages administrative tasks such as tracking attendance, student outreach, and supporting research and program evaluations.
• Assists self-identified Indigenous students with individual outreach and registration support.

First Year Experience and Beyond

• Provides ongoing academic support to self-identified Indigenous students through individual consultations, workshops, and drop-in sessions.
• Oversees and facilitates the SEEDs transition program.
• Engages students through multiple platforms, including email, social media, and events.
• Collaborates with Indigenous Student Support Coordinators to identify learning needs and facilitate referrals.
• Strengthens partnerships with multi-campus student services (e.g., Residence, Learning Skills & Development, Career Centre, Student Wellness Centre, Accessible Learning) to enhance Indigenous student support.
• Analyze student data to identify student trends and at-risk students and proactively lead outreach efforts, providing targeted retention support

Learning Consultant

• Conducts individual and group consultations to help students overcome learning challenges related to time management, procrastination, note-taking, and exam preparation.
• Implements culturally appropriate learning strategies rooted in Indigenous pedagogies and methodologies.
• Designs and delivers tailored learning strategies through workshops, presentations, and digital resources.
• Oversees hiring, training, and supervision of academic student peer coaches and graduate mentors.
• Develops and utilizes tools for data collection, analysis, and assessment to inform senior academic administrators.
• Promotes research-based approaches to student success through direct consultations and academic resources.

Other - Data Collection, Reports, Research, and Assessment

• Supports and facilitates Indigenous student-focused events to foster community and engagement.Ensures consistency of program delivery.
• Develops tools for data collection, assessment, and reporting to faculty and senior administrators.
• Stays informed on best practices in student success within Canadian and international post-secondary institutions.
• Maintains relationships with other universities to stay updated on academic policies and trend

Qualifications

• Must be an Indigenous person and complete Laurier’s Indigenous Identity Verification process
• Ability to articulate an Indigenous worldview within a post-secondary education context
• Master’s degree in education, psychology, social work, Indigenous Studies OR Master’s degree in a relevant area of study and a Bachelor of Education degree
• Minimum 2 – 3 years’ related work experience, which must include practical experience
• Exceptional interpersonal skills (creative, diplomatic, inter-culturally sensitive, patient, tactful, etc.)
• Strong computer skills; able to work well with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point
• Familiarity with university atmosphere / services
• An understanding of the research and trends related to transition, retention, student success, and learning development
• An understanding of adult learning theory, student development theory, metacognition, and learning strategies
• An understanding of a wide variety of student needs (e.g. Indigenous Students, First-Generation, Mature, College Transfer, etc.) an asset
• Experience developing interactive theory-based learning materials and workshops for in-person and online delivery for both large and small audiences
• Experience providing individual consultations with students
• Experience hiring, training, and supervising student employees
• Ability to manage crucial conversations with developed conflict management skills
• Demonstrated time management, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated team skills with an ability to work independently
• Research methodology training an asset
• Mental health training an asset to support at-risk students.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license

This position has not been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies. 

Hours of Work: This is a full-time, continuing position. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements. 

Compensation:

Level: G

Rate of Pay: Hiring salary range posted: $51.55 to $54.49 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $57.20 per hour. Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.