Academic Support and Comlex Program Director

As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith traditions and worldviews, Marian University Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine is seeking an Academic Success and COMLEX Program Director to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by fostering student achievement and well-being.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.

• Study Planning & Time Management:
  
  
  
  • Customized Study Schedules: Work with students to create realistic, personalized study plans that balance coursework, clinical rotations, and personal commitments.
  • Task Prioritization: Help students identify high-yield topics and prioritize the most critical areas for their exams, ensuring they are focusing their time and energy efficiently.
  • Exam Preparation Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive exam strategies for major exams like COMLEX, which includes organizing review sessions, practice exams, and recommending appropriate study resources.
  
  
  
  
• Test-Taking Strategies:
  
  
  
  • Active Learning Techniques: Teach evidence-based learning methods, including active recall and spaced repetition, to enhance retention and comprehension.
  • Practice and Review: Organize regular mock exams and review sessions to identify areas for improvement and build test-taking skills.
  • Exam Anxiety Management: Provide students with techniques for managing stress, especially during high-stakes exams and clinical evaluations, through mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, and coping strategies.
  
  
  
  
• Holistic Support:
  
  
  
  • Mental Health Support: Offer emotional support and resources for managing the stresses of medical school, including providing referrals to counseling services and offering mindfulness or stress-relief activities.
  • Motivation & Goal Setting: Help students set realistic short-term and long-term goals, maintain motivation, and track their progress. Provide regular check-ins to ensure students stay on track.
  • Peer Support Networks: Foster connections among students within the cohort, pairing students with senior peers or mentors who can provide additional guidance, support, and encouragement.
  
  
  
  
• Feedback & Progress Tracking:
  
  
  
  • Continuous Feedback: Provide ongoing feedback based on students' performance in written tests, practical exams, and clinical rotations. Regularly review strengths and weaknesses and offer constructive guidance to facilitate improvement.
  • Adaptive Learning Systems: Utilize technology and adaptive learning systems to monitor student performance, adjusting strategies as needed to address specific learning gaps and maximize effectiveness.
  
  
  
  
• Co-Direct the Enhanced Curricular Comprehension Courses:
  
  
  
  • Course Development & Oversight: Collaborate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Enhanced Curricular Comprehension courses, ensuring alignment with the COMLEX blueprint and the students' learning needs.
  • Subject-Specific Focus: Assist in focusing course content on areas critical to COMLEX success, using the COMLEX blueprint as a guide to target subjects that require more intensive review and comprehension.
  • Ongoing Improvement: Help refine and improve the course based on student feedback, exam performance, and evolving educational strategies to enhance students' preparation for COMLEX.
  
  
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Educational Background:
  
  
  
  • A Master's or Doctoral degree in education, psychology, osteopathic medicine, or a related field is required. Clinical background in osteopathic medicine is highly preferred.
  
  
  
  
• Experience:
  
  
  
  • Proven experience (at least 3 years) in academic coaching, curriculum development, or a similar role, with an emphasis on medical education, particularly for COMLEX preparation.
  • Familiarity with COMLEX exam structure and content areas, with a solid understanding of osteopathic principles and practices.
  • Experience in teaching or mentoring medical students in study strategies, test-taking techniques, and stress management.
  
  
  
  
• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong Communication Skills: Ability to clearly explain complex medical content, provide constructive feedback, and engage with students empathetically.
  • Organizational Skills: Experience in creating study plans, managing multiple projects, and coordinating activities that address the academic and emotional needs of students.
  • Technological Proficiency: Comfort with using adaptive learning tools, online resources, and learning management systems to track student progress and deliver content.
  • Holistic Support Ability: A strong understanding of student mental health and well-being, with experience in providing stress management techniques and supporting students through challenging academic environments.
  
  
  
  
• Personal Attributes:
  
  
  
  • Compassionate, patient, and approachable, with a genuine desire to help students succeed both academically and emotionally.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, able to adapt strategies based on individual student needs.
  • A proactive and innovative mindset, willing to collaborate and improve upon existing educational strategies to meet evolving student needs.
  
  
  
  

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For Consideration All Applications Require:

1. Cover Letter
2. Current resume or CV
3. Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile.
4. Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions.

Please Review Marian University's Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application:

https://www.marian.edu/faith