The Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) is the largest research and public service center in the College of Education and Human Development. It provides leadership in promoting the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society. The Center accomplishes this through education, service, information dissemination and research across multiple units that include: Transition & Employment, School-Age Training, Assistive Technology, Health & Wellness, and Autism Training. This position is housed in Spectrum Scholars, a college-to-career initiative in the Transition & Employment unit. Spectrum Scholars provides direct support to matriculating students on the autism spectrum, as well as training and consultation for the campus community on creating inclusive environments for students on the autism spectrum.
Under the general direction of the Program Manager, the Academic Program Coordinator for Spectrum Scholars will deliver comprehensive, person-centered coaching to a cohort of identified students on the autism spectrum enrolled at the University of Delaware. Coaching, as defined by this position, is a highly dynamic, interpersonal process with identified goals of
improving student success in all facets of college life, including academics, social and campus engagement, self-advocacy, career exploration, and overall executive functioning. Students utilize coaching to work toward SMART goals that have been created with support from their coach and others on their support team. The Academic Program Coordinator will provide direct, twice-weekly service to students in semi-structured coaching sessions designed to improve the aforementioned areas related to college life, with an emphasis on executive functioning skills, accessing campus resources, and building self-advocacy skills.
The Academic Program Coordinator is responsible for documenting coaching sessions, providing timely follow-up, implementing evidence-based strategies and practices, and developing ongoing relationships with key partners and personnel across campus as well as other duties as assigned. In addition, the Academic Program Coordinator will also deliver coaching to an identified cohort of students on the autism spectrum enrolled in other CDS postsecondary transition programs, including high school pre-college programs, such as Edge and the College Readiness Scholars Institute. The Academic Program Coordinator will work collaboratively with all members of Spectrum Scholars to build a more autism-friendly campus and community by developing and delivering workshops, trainings, consultation, and general support around issues related to autism. This is an independent position that requires interaction and collaboration with fellow program staff, students with disabilities, peer mentors, family members, faculty and other staff at UD, and high school/state agency staff.
Position is 100% grant funded.
