Academic Coordinator

Department: Intercollegiate Athletics

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (English/Spanish) before applying.

About the Department:

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at George Mason University proudly supports more than 500 student-athletes across 22 NCAA Division I programs. As a distinguished member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, our teams have earned 17 conference championships, captured NCAA titles in Women’s Soccer and Men’s Indoor Track, and achieved national recognition with a Men’s Basketball Final Four appearance. We also celebrate more than 30 individual national champions who exemplify excellence in competition. We are a student-centered, education-driven department committed to providing transformational experiences for our student-athletes and staff. Our culture is grounded in honesty, integrity, and full compliance with all NCAA, conference, and University policies. Our work is guided by three core priorities:

• Transformational Experiences: Prioritize academic achievement, recruit student-athletes positioned for academic success, strengthen ICA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and provide consistent education for coaches and sport administrators;
• Championship Culture: Position teams to consistently compete for conference success and recruit student-athletes with the ability to excel at both the conference and national levels; and
• Tell Our Story: Enhance the overall student-athlete experience and personal well-being, develop and renovate athletics facilities, generate the resources necessary to support student-athlete success, and foster meaningful partnerships within the department, University, and broader community.

About the Position:

The Academic Coordinator supports the academic success, retention, and development of student-athletes through individualized academic support, educational planning, and monitoring of academic progress and degree completion. The coordinator collaborates with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, academic advisors, and campus partners to identify needs and connect students with appropriate resources. This position also monitors NCAA and institutional academic eligibility requirements while providing proactive support that promotes accountability, academic achievement, personal development, and progress toward graduation.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary academic advisor for assigned athletic teams;
• Monitors academic progress and eligibility in accordance with NCAA, conference, and institutional policies Coordinates course registration, class scheduling, and degree planning for student-athletes;
• Meets regularly with student-athletes to review academic performance and develop individualized academic success strategies;
• Maintains accurate academic records and prepare progress reports for coaches and administrators;
• Refers student-athletes to appropriate campus resources, including tutoring, counseling, and career services;
• Communicates consistently with coaching staff regarding academic concerns, progress, and milestones;
• Works closely with the Compliance Office to project and monitor NCAA academic eligibility for assigned student-athletes;
• Participates in staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and campus committees as needed;
• Meets with prospective student-athletes for assigned sports, as requested;
• Provides administrative support for assigned teams, including but not limited to course registration, textbook orders, tutor requests, and study hall monitoring;
• Collaborates with the department’s education specialist to identify at-risk and underprepared student-athletes;
• Recommends and coordinates appropriate academic support services, including tutoring and referrals to other University resources;
• Assists student-athletes with time management and academic skill development, partnering with staff members and tutors to provide a holistic approach to academic support and engagement;
• Demonstrates understanding of best practices that promote academic integrity and adhere to all FERPA guidelines, NCAA and Atlantic 10 Conference rules, and George Mason University policies and procedures; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree, or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and equivalent experience, and generally 2–4 years of experience in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, academic advising, counseling, or related student support services. Relevant graduate assistantship or comparable graduate-level experience may be considered toward the experience requirement;
• Experience monitoring academic progress and identifying at-risk student-athletes using appropriate academic support systems and tools;
• Strong understanding of NCAA Division I academic eligibility and compliance requirements, including Progress Toward Degree (PTD), Academic Progress Rate (APR), and Graduation Success Rate (GSR);
• Strong understanding of FERPA Guidelines and the ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive academic and personal information;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time-management and communication skills to effectively convey information to student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff;
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with diverse student populations, academic personnel, and athletic staff;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced collegiate athletics environment;
• Ability to coordinate with the Educational Specialist to assess individual academic needs, guide students, and develop tailored academic success plans for student-athletes;
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; and
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred;
• At least two years of full-time professional experience in academic advising, student-athlete academic support, student services, higher education, or a related field preferred;
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize academic and student-athlete management systems (e.g., Teamworks, Banner) to monitor, document, and report student-athlete academic progress; and
• Ability to monitor academic performance, identify areas of concern, and provide proactive intervention and appropriate referrals.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Academic Coordinator at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: November 13, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 27, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes