About Salem Academy and College:

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 253-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education.

Salem Academy is a boarding and day college preparatory school with focus on interdisciplinary learning using STEAM, wellness and leadership. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders. Salem College has more than 40 full-time faculty and over 150 staff members who support approximately 500 students including full-time undergraduates, part-time students and graduate students. In 2023, Salem received a second $5M anonymous philanthropic gift equaling its largest in history focused on enabling our health leadership transformation. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place.

Niche lists Salem Academy as the No. 1 boarding school in North Carolina; No. 5 college prep high school in North Carolina as well as the No. 1 college prep school in the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem, NC area. Salem Academy has students from more than 10 states and 5 countries. Over 85% of the faculty and staff have a master’s degree or higher.  Courses are taught at the college prep, honors, AP and dual enrollment levels.  The unique partnership and shared campus with Salem College allows for collaboration with college faculty/staff on curriculum ideas, club activities and more.

Recognized by the U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and the New York Times Magazine as a top liberal arts college in the nation, Salem College continues to lead among liberal arts colleges in social mobility and economic diversity. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked Salem College #2 among all national liberal arts colleges in America as a top performer for social mobility. Salem performed as one of the best liberal arts colleges with the highest percentage of Pell-eligible students graduating in four years.  Out of 286 colleges in the country, the New York Times Magazine ranked Salem College as #2 for economic diversity – enrolling more economically disadvantaged students than its peers. This ranking is a reflection of Salem’s commitment to making education accessible and affordable for all students. In another 2023 national ranking, Washington Monthly ranked Salem College as #4 in the nation for Pell-eligible graduation rate, #8 in the country for earning performance, #14 best bang for your buck college in the southeast, and #24 best liberal arts college in the U.S.

Salem Academy and College is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant college town known as the “City of Arts and Innovation”. Winston-Salem is a lively academic community, home to six institutions of higher education and more than 26,000 students. Winston Salem has a collaborative and engaged academic community with strong private and public schools, excellent healthcare systems, and affordable housing. The Winston-Salem area also offers a rich variety of cultural opportunities and has a vibrant art and restaurant scene. Within a few hours of campus are mountains for skiing, camping, or hiking; rivers for whitewater rafting; and the beautiful ports and beaches of North and South Carolina.

Position Summary:

The Director of Institutional Accessibility Services will develop, implement, and oversee academic on-campus living, dining, support services and plans for students at both Salem Academy and Salem College, ensuring a comprehensive approach to learning assistance and disability accommodations. This role is responsible for designing individualized academic support plans, assisting students with learning differences, and providing guidance on learning strategies, organization, and study skills. The Director will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, parents, and students to promote academic success and self-advocacy in a college-preparatory high school and college environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Academy Only:

• • Coordinate all needs for Salem Academy students who require accommodations in Salem College courses.
  • Oversees Academy Study Hall Programs, including creating and delivering a study skills curriculum for students and coordinating with residential life for evening study hall needs.
  • Conduct weekly individual meetings with students who have accommodation plans.
  • Assists students in transitioning from high school to college, particularly those with accommodations. This includes providing documentation needed for the college application process and college enrollment needs.
  • Serve as an academic advisor to a small group of Academy students.

• • ,Meet with families to discuss testing and accommodations at the start of each semester, per family request, at the prompting of a psychologist, or as determined necessary by the school.
  • Obtains appropriate signatures on paperwork needed for permission to share information with the Academy and College faculty, ACT and the College Board;
  • Submit documentation and complete all training modules for special accommodations through College Board, ACT or other testing agencies
  • Provides referrals to local agencies for educational testing;
  • Serves as a resource for families whose students are struggling in regards to finding outside support, tutoring, and assistance to fit learning needs.
  • Assist with testing schedules for semester exams, ensuring accommodation needs are met
  • Serve on the Student Support Committee
  • Attend Academy faculty/staff meetings

College Only:

• • Designs academic success plans for students who are placed on academic probation or who fail to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), as well as for students who successfully appeal academic exclusion or financial aid suspensions.
  • Coordinates with the College’s Early Alert Team and other campus offices to identify students requiring assistance.

Institutional:

• • • Works with the Salem Academy and College administration to articulate and uphold the institution’s philosophy and policy regarding student accommodations and learning support.
    • Provides individual academic counseling for students referred by the Dean of the College, Head of School, faculty, staff, or other members of the Salem community.
    • Develops and implements formal accommodation plans for students with diagnosed disabilities
    • Manages the disability accommodations approval process for students; determines reasonable accommodations; provides accommodation notices to faculty/staff; and coordinates services with other campus offices.
    • Coordinates with online provider regarding students’ progress in online courses.
    • Provides extended support to students who are experiencing academic difficulties in one or more courses and those who self-refer for limited academic assistance.
    • Oversees the disability accommodations approval process in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    • Collaborates with the Admissions Office concerning prospective students who may need learning support.
    • Participates in ongoing professional development in academic support and instructional best practices at both the high school and college level.
    • Prepares annual evaluations and assessments of program services.
    • Maintains records of all student contacts for the academic year.
    • Monitors and support student academic progress, including reviewing student reports and grades.
    • Provides individualized academic coaching on study skills, organization, time management, and self-advocacy.
    • Communicates student accommodations with faculty and assist in implementing support strategies.
    • Provides faculty development  to recognize struggling learners and provide support and modifications.
    • Provides faculty development to promote a student-centered environment with differentiated instruction.
    • Provides faculty/staff development on topics such as neurodiversity, differentiated instruction, assistive technology, and best practices for academic support.
    • Serves as an active, visible presence on campus.
    • Serves on relevant Academy and College committees
    • Remains informed of current legislation relating to academic support and disability accommodations for students..
    •  Performs other duties as assigned by the Dean of the College and the Academy Head of School

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field, master’s degree preferred
• Progressively responsible professional experience providing support services to individuals with and without disabilities.
• Strong computer skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through;
• High degree of discretion and confidentiality;
• Experience working with students, ideally in a educational environment;
• Commitment and desire to support institutional mission, vision, values, and strategic directions;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with students, parents, and faculty, fostering an environment of mutual respect, understanding, and trust;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing;
• Ability to set clear expectations and boundaries and hold students accountable;

Physical Functions:

While performing the responsibilities of  Director of Institutional Accessibility Services the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

Salem Academy and College is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.

For questions, please contact Brett Woods, Dean of the College at brett.woods@salem.edu