Director of the Learning Center

Elmhurst University invites applications for the Director of the Learning Center . This is a 12-month staff position responsible for offering high-impact programming and practices to increase student persistence, retention, and success. The Director collaborates with units across campus to identify and create opportunities for strategic, creative, and holistic academic support for students, as well as preprofessional development for peer tutors. This position is responsible for leading, developing, and operating the Learning Center to enhance student learning behavior and ensure that the Center is contributing to institutional goals.

Review of applications will begin July 15 and continue until the position is filled. Expected start date August/September 2026.

Position Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $74,000 - $82,000. This is the expected salary range for this position. The actual salary offered will depend on a candidate's experience and education, and departmental budget.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Associate Dean for Academic Success to address short- and long-term goals of the university and the students to then design, implement, assess, and evaluate academic support and enrichment programs and services in the Learning Center.
• Provides a vision for the Learning Center by creating and connecting a range of high-impact, evidence-based programming and practices to support peer tutoring, academic services, and early interventions to address diverse student needs and populations.
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises peer tutors, providing ongoing mentorship and pre-professional development that strengthens their effectiveness as educators and prepares them for future academic and career goals.
• Oversees the Learning Center's College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC), maintaining the curriculum and documentation required to achieve and sustain certification across all levels.
• Designs trainings, workshops, presentations, and events for a range of audiences (e.g., prospective and current students, parents, academic departments, and student organizations), while also mentoring the Learning Center staff and tutors to contribute and lead.
• Works with the Director of Student Accessibility Services to provide holistic support to students and to promote Universal Design for Learning principles in the Learning Center and across campus.
• Partners creatively with faculty, staff, and other academic support units, including within the library, to offer programming and solutions to meet student needs and to promote Learning Center services.
• Acts as the central resource person for faculty, staff, and students by centralizing academic support services, providing information and assistance, and developing campus learning resources.
• Tracks, collects, and maintains student data for retention purposes and collaborates with units across campus towards achieving retention goals.
• Conducts benchmarking studies and literature reviews of peer-reviewed learning research to identify, evaluate and select evidence-based best practices for adoption and programming.
• Oversees and administers the Learning Center budget.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the University’s mission, vision, and values.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties and completes special projects as needed and assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Educational training in writing instruction, reading and learning strategies, and study and time management skills.
• Experience delivering higher education academic support services, such as academic coaching, tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, or comparable services to undergraduates and/or graduate students in a learning center, writing center or academic support center along with knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices to support learning.
• Effective management, development, and leadership skills.
• Ability to design, implement and assess workshops, trainings, presentations, and events.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex projects, coordinate with partners, and initiate and execute appropriate timelines.
• Experience with and demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree.
• Trained in the principles and practices of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) and experience supporting or administering its International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC).
• Educational background or experience working with English language learners.
• Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
The essential functions of this position are primarily performed in an indoor setting with limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is often sedentary in nature and requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods. Required abilities include speaking and hearing for in-person and virtual communication, using close and distance vision when reading documents or viewing screens, and performing tasks with repetitive fine motor skills. Work may require occasional lifting, bending, carrying, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Qualified applicants who can perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Benefits

An overview of Elmhurst University benefits is available here .

For application to be considered complete, the following items are required:

• A cover letter addressing how your career and experiences have served as preparation to lead a learning center at a diverse liberal arts university, with particular attention to the priorities and qualities listed above. Speak to your approach to learning center or writing center leadership and academic support of students.
• A curriculum vitae and/or resume.
• A list including the names, titles, and contact information for 4-5 references, including previous supervisors.

A presentation will be required of finalist candidates.