Director of Academic and Bar Success

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitivebenefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE 

The Director of Academic and Bar Success leads Lewis & Clark Law School's integrated academic support and bar passage program from matriculation through licensure. The Director identifies at-risk students, delivers academic counseling, oversees bar preparation coursework, and manages post-graduation bar study support, including outreach to students who do not pass on their first attempt. The Director reports to the Dean of Academic Affairs but works closely with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Lawyering faculty, and the Registrar's Office to implement scaffolded, data-informed support across all three years of law school and beyond.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Academic Support and Counseling

• Plan and execute the Academic Enhancement Program, including the Summer Institute, 1L skills sessions, and exam skills workshops.
• Supervise approximately 20 Student Success Fellows, including recruitment, training, pedagogical development, and performance oversight.
• Design and implement an early intervention strategy to identify and support students struggling to achieve success.
• Provide academic counseling to identified students, including course-selection advising after students’ 1L year.
• Assist students with individualized study plans and academic development.
• Coordinate with Lawyering faculty on required exam review for students earning below a C.
• Evaluate and administer Capstone/Independent Research eligibility criteria (GPA threshold, preliminary thesis approval, completion deadlines).

Bar Success

• Coordinate mini-bar exam program in partnership with the external partner institution, including scheduling of the exam in spring semester and assessment of exam results. Oversee and, as needed, teach the Pre-Bar Skills (fall) and up to two sections of Pre-Bar Prep (spring).
• Provide pre-bar counseling to 3L students on schedule adjustments, state application deadlines,character and Fitness requirements, and alternative licensure pathways.

Post-Graduation Bar Support

• Establish and lead structured, regular check-ins with graduates during the bar study period.
• Design and administer an incentive program for completion of milestones (e.g., stipends, gift cards).
• Monitor completion of commercial bar-prep coursework (Barbri, Themis) and provide individual outreach and study-plan assistance to students who need additional help.
• Coordinate on-campus study spaces and related programming during the bar study period.
• Develop and lead tailored workshops for part-time student cohorts.
• Assign and coordinate faculty advisors or attorney mentors for periodic check-ins with graduates.
• Provide individual outreach to students who do not pass.
• Develop and administer a structured bar-retaker support program, including any approved monetary stipends and individual tutoring support.

Program Administration & Reporting

• Track and analyze data on academic support engagement, bar preparation participation, and bar passage outcomes.
• Prepare annual compliance reporting for the ABA Bar Questionnaire and any regional accreditor compliance reporting as needed.
• Identify and pursue grant or external funding opportunities to support program initiatives (e.g., retaker stipends, study-space resources).

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with students, faculty, and colleagues.
• Superior interpersonal and counseling skills, including empathy, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Proficient knowledge of academic support, student learning, and legal education practices.
• Excellent knowledge of bar admission requirements, licensure pathways, and Character and Fitness processes.
• Superior analytical skills for interpreting student performance, engagement, and outcome data.
• Proficient use of student information, data-tracking, and reporting systems, including FERPA requirements.
• Proficient knowledge of commercial bar preparation platforms, including Barbri and Themis.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills with strong attention to detail and deadlines.
• Superior leadership, coaching, and supervisory skills with a collaborative working style.
• Extremely strong commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and learning needs.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Three years of experience in academic support, bar preparation, legal practice, teaching, or closely related work.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Experience designing or administering academic support or bar preparation programming.
• Experience supervising staff, student employees, or peer leaders.
• Experience with grant development, external funding, or program support.
• Familiarity with current and emerging bar examination and licensure models, including the Uniform Bar Exam and NextGen Bar Exam.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
• Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on academic and bar preparation programming.
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Occasional local or professional travel may be required.
• Hybrid/Remote: This position is primarily in person, with limited hybrid flexibility based on departmental needs and College policy.

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Starting at $95,000 per year, with consideration for experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General office and academic environment.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regular communication by phone, email, online meetings, and in person.
• Regular movement between offices, classrooms, meeting spaces, and other campus locations.
• Occasional standing for presentations, workshops, or instructional activities.
• Occasionally move or transport materials weighing up to 15 pounds.

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission.  We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws.  The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies.  Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

(https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance). 

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. 

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.