IT Support Specialist (ITSS) Adjunct - National Louis University

Overview:

WHO WE ARE - 
National Louis University (NLU), founded in 1886, is a private, non-profit university based in Chicago, IL serving nearly 10,000 students across five colleges. In November 2020, the University launched Accelerate U, a new division at the university offering rapid pathways to high-demand skills, post-secondary degrees, and an upwardly-mobile job and career. The Accelerate U team works with employers and non-profit operators to build affordable academic and training pathways that 1) lead to an industry-recognized credential/certificate, 2) bridge to an in-demand, upwardly-mobile job, 3) include coaching and wraparound supports, and 4) grant participants Pell-eligible college credit that can build to a bachelor’s degree. 

In the Fall of 2024, Accelerate U will launch a new certificate pathway - The IT Support Specialist (ITSS)  Certificate Program. This is a 24 week program designed to support students in becoming CompTIA A+ certified and moving into entry level IT Helpdesk or Support Specialist full time jobs. The program consists of five courses, which take place over two 12-week terms. The IT Support Specialist instructor will teach the 4-course ITSS sequence across these two terms:

• Term 1
• ITSS 100: IT Essentials: Hardware and Device Management, 5 QH, 6 Weeks
• ITSS 110: IT Essentials: Networking, Infrastructure and Cloud Computing, 5 QH, 6 Weeks
• CAR 204 Part 1: My Professional Story, 3 QH, 12 weeks
• Term 2
• ITSS 200: IT Essentials: Operating System Support & Cybersecurity, 6 Weeks
• ITSS 210: IT Support Specialist Capstone, 5 QH, 6 Weeks
• CAR 204 Part 2: My Professional Story, 2 QH, 12 weeks

 

Through the entire program, participants work with a career coach to develop the durable skills needed to be successful in their job including effective problem-solving, collaboration, reliability, confidence, and social awareness.

 

In order to complete the program, students will be expected to sit for the CompTIA A+ exam, and will earn 25 Quarter Hour credits. Our vision is for all students to complete

this program and successfully enter full time careers and consider continuing their education at National Louis University.

WHO YOU ARE-

You are: Driven to Succeed.
You are energetic and passionate about a diverse student body that includes many first-generation students who are new to a college environment. To be successful teaching in this program, you must be committed to excellence in teaching and learning in Higher Education. The position requires you to be agile, creative and engaging while offering a new curriculum and an unparalleled experience to undergraduate students. Enthusiastic candidates have the belief that all students can be successful students. As an active team member you believe in a supportive environment and a student-driven culture.

You will: Offer Best-in-Class Teaching and Learning.
You believe that your work has demonstrated your respect for education and the power that it holds. Each term, you will facilitate blended classes that utilize technology and data to drive instruction. You will work with a dedicated team of Coaches and Instructors, Content Experts and Data Analysts to determine how to personalize the learning experience for your students. In addition to teaching content, you will also focus on growth mindset among your students, increase non-cognitive skill development, nurture academic confidence, and prepare students for their professional pathways.  

You are ready to: Make an Impact.
Each and every day, this program changes lives. You want to be a part of that meaningful Through the entire program, participants work with a coach to develop the durable skills needed to be successful in their job including effective communication, problem solving, and time management.innovation. You are someone that will always look for creative ways for students to earn success. We know this work is challenging, but we are in it together.

Candidates should have experience in teaching IT support courses. This is a part-time adjunct position that requires instructors to collaborate on a regular basis with the support team that surrounds each student. Typically course instruction takes place twice weekly, with one session held virtually one weekday evening  and the second session held in-person in Chicago on another weekday evening. 

About NLU:

 

National Louis University (NLU) is looking to honor its past while defining a bold new future as a contemporary, comprehensive university that prepares diverse students for sustained professional success with a deep commitment to Access, Excellence, Innovation and Equity. We are a pioneering community that uses innovation to improve outcomes.  NLU questions the status quo and strives to adapt and evolve with the changing needs of its students.   We are a community that cares about each other and our students and we work collaboratively, tirelessly and quickly to advance change in the service of students.  We have a long venerable history, but we are not typical.  We seek to solve intractable social issues through education; we believe we have not succeeded until graduates achieve sustainable career related employment; and we foster a culture that promotes failing fast so that we may constantly improve our work. 

 

Founded in 1886, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit university offering over 70 programs from short-term certificate through the doctoral level across its five colleges.  The University serves over 10,000 students per year and has experienced unprecedented growth over the last several years.  Most students are from Illinois, but the University also attracts students from throughout the U.S. and from around the world who take advantage of campus based, blended and online programming. 

 

NLU is located in the center of Chicago’s downtown loop, across the street from the Art Institute, in an area which has been recognized as America’s largest campus with over 25 institutions and 50,000 students attending a college across the city. In addition, the University has two suburban locations and a Florida regional campus.

 

 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Collaborate to develop an effective student experience for students.
• Facilitate courses assigned by delivering in-person instruction consisting of weekly lecture (on Zoom) and weekly lab sessions (in-person).
• Utilize technology-based teaching platforms, including D2L (our LMS) and courseware (i.e., CompTIA, Cengage), to assign and assess student work.
• Maintain current and active knowledge of best practices in IT support, including customer service skills.
• Communicate professionally, relate well, and share a passion for college success for diverse learners. 
• Participate in weekly virtual meetings with a Career Coach (who supports learners in the program) and Accelerate U Staff to report student progress and obstacles.
• Empower students to develop competency by sharing a passion for the subject and the skills.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Technology proficient.
• Excellent facilitation and classroom management skills in both virtual and in-person modalities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Agility.
• Ability to work with a highly diverse faculty and student body.
• Willingness/ability to use data to inform instruction.

 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or higher information technology or closely related field or Associate’s Degree with CompTIA A+ certification 
• 3-5 years of professional experience in IT support services
• 2+ years of teaching IT support courses to students of diverse backgrounds (strongly preferred)
• 2+ years of hiring and/or coaching new hires in the field of IT support services (preferred)
• CompTIA A+ certified or CompTIA A+ certification within 3 months of hire
• Experience with online/digital tools for teaching - preferred.

 

NLU Inclusion Statement:

 

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued.  We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

Special Instructions:Please attach scanned or downloaded copies of official transcripts for all graduate and terminal degrees completed and for all relevant graduate coursework. Official documentation from the university(ies) via mail or e-transcript may be required if approved to teach any course(s).