Senior Coordinator for Disability Support

At Maryville University, we believe every student deserves equitable access, meaningful support, and the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and personally. Rooted in the university's commitment to learner-centered flexibility, access & opportunity, innovation, and a five- star student experience, the Senior Coordinator for Disability Support serves as a key leader within the Division of Student Affairs responsible for advancing accessibility, disability accommodations, and inclusive student support practices across the institution.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Disability Support & Title IX / Title IX Coordinator, this position provides leadership and coordination for disability support services, accommodation implementation, accessibility initiatives, and collaborative student support efforts that promote equitable access and student success for students with documented disabilities.

The Senior Coordinator directly supervises two Disability Support Coordinators and plays an essential role in the development, implementation, and assessment of strategic initiatives designed to reduce barriers and foster inclusive campus environments. This role serves as a central campus partner and collaborates extensively with departments across Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to ensure coordinated, student-centered support systems.

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative, relationship-oriented, and student-centered professional with expertise in disability accommodations, accessibility practices, and higher education compliance standards. This individual must possess strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, organizational leadership abilities, and the ability to build trusted partnerships with faculty, staff, students, and campus stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Two Disability Support Coordinators
• Student employees, graduate assistants, interns, and accessibility support staff, as assigned

Essential Responsibilities

Disability Accommodation Coordination and Student Support Services

Provide leadership and oversight for the interactive accommodation process for students with documented disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, and related federal and state regulations.

Coordinate and support intake meetings, documentation review, accommodation determinations, implementation processes, and ongoing communication with students, faculty, staff, families, and external providers to ensure equitable access and legally compliant accommodations.

Oversee accommodations across academic, housing, dining, temporary medical, pregnancy-related, emotional support animal, and campus life settings while ensuring accommodations are individualized, reasonable, and student-centered.

Support students in developing self-advocacy, communication, executive functioning, and academic success strategies that contribute to persistence, retention, well-being, and overall student success.

Assist with the management of highly sensitive and complex student cases requiring collaborative intervention, problem-solving, and coordinated campus response.

Supervision, Leadership, and Operational Coordination

Directly supervise and mentor two Disability Support Coordinators while fostering a collaborative, responsive, and student-centered departmental culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, and inclusion.

Provide leadership related to staff development, onboarding, training, workflow management, scheduling, performance evaluation, and operational effectiveness. Support team members in maintaining current knowledge of disability law, accommodation practices, accessibility standards, and emerging trends in higher education disability services.

Assist the Executive Director with strategic planning, departmental assessment, utilization reporting, policy development, and continuous process improvement initiatives designed to strengthen disability support services and operational efficiency.

Support the coordination of departmental operations, records management, accessibility systems, communication processes, and accommodation tracking while maintaining strict confidentiality and professionalism.

Campus Collaboration and Student Support Partnerships

Serve as a highly collaborative campus partner working across Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to support students with disabilities through coordinated care, communication, and intervention strategies.

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with faculty to support the implementation of accommodations, accessible instruction, classroom support strategies, and collaborative problem-solving related to student accessibility needs. Faculty engagement and relationship management are essential responsibilities of this role.

Collaborate closely with the Student Well-being Case Manager, Student Health & Counseling Services, Residential Life, Student Success, Academic Advising, the Center for Teaching & Learning, and other campus partners to ensure students receive coordinated, holistic support services.

Participate in student support meetings, behavioral intervention discussions, campus committees, and collaborative care initiatives as appropriate to support student wellbeing, retention, and success.

Serve as a trusted resource and consultant for faculty and staff regarding disability accommodations, accessibility concerns, and inclusive student support practices.

Accessibility Education, Outreach, and Strategic Initiatives

Lead and support strategic initiatives, educational programming, and outreach efforts designed to promote accessibility awareness, disability inclusion, and equitable access across the university community.

Develop and facilitate trainings, workshops, and consultations for faculty, staff, student leaders, and campus departments related to:

• ADA and Section 504 compliance
• Disability accommodations and accessibility
• Universal design and inclusive instruction
• Neurodiversity and disability inclusion
• Pregnancy and parenting accommodations

Best practices for supporting students with disabilities

Collaborate with university stakeholders to identify systemic barriers impacting students with disabilities and recommend solutions that strengthen institutional accessibility and inclusive practices.

Support university-wide accessibility initiatives and strategic priorities that align with Maryville University's mission, values, and commitment to student success and belonging.

Accessibility Operations and Accommodation Implementation

Coordinate operational processes related to disability accommodations, assistive technologies, alternate format materials, accommodation communications, and accessibility-related services.

Oversee disability-related accommodated testing processes for students approved for testing accommodations under ADA and Section 504 guidelines. Ensure accommodations are administered consistently, securely, confidentially, and in accordance with approved accommodation plans.

Collaborate with campus partners and departmental staff to improve workflows, communication systems, and service delivery models that support timely and effective accommodation implementation.

Maintain accurate records, case documentation, accessibility data, and departmental reporting practices in alignment with institutional and legal standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required Knowledge:

Extensive knowledge of ADA, Section 504, FERPA, pregnancy-related accommodations, and disability accommodation practices in higher education

• Knowledge of accessibility standards, assistive technologies, universal design principles, and disability inclusion practices
• Understanding of higher education student support systems, coordinated care models, and student wellbeing practices
• Knowledge of accommodation documentation review and interactive accommodation processes
• Familiarity with accessibility case management systems and accommodation tracking platforms

Required Skills:

• Strong leadership, supervision, and relationship-building skills
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation communication abilities
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with faculty and campus stakeholders
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to manage complex and sensitive student situations with professionalism and empathy
• Strong project management, operational coordination, and time management skills
• Ability to analyze data and support assessment and continuous improvement efforts

Required Abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to access, opportunity, inclusion, and student success
• Ability to lead with empathy, cultural humility, professionalism, and integrity
• Ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across academic and student affairs environments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving student and institutional needs
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in highly sensitive situations.

Required Formal Education:

• Master's Degree preferred in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Disability Studies, Counseling, Psychology, Education, or related field.
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in disability support services, accessibility services, student affairs, higher education compliance, or related student support work required. Supervisory or leadership experience preferred.