Specialist, Academic Technology

About the role

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by June 17, 2026. Applications received after June 17, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

Position Summary

Provide academic support services through management and configuration of the Starfish early alert and appointment-making system and assist with implementation of a new student success system for faculty, staff, and students across the University. Primarily functional and front-end focused, emphasizing user experience, system configuration, and stakeholder support. Contribute to improved retention and student outcomes by guiding the effective use of student success technologies across the institution. Collaborate with Information Technology Services to ensure seamless systems integration between PeopleSoft, Brightspace, Starfish, the new student success system, and other university platforms. Facilitate end-user training and provide functional and technical support. Maintain a thorough understanding of curriculum, university policies, and campus resources as they relate to the student success system. Facilitate communication across project teams to support successful implementation and continuous improvement of student success technologies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the configuration and ongoing maintenance of the Starfish early alert and appointment-making system, while assisting with the implementation of a new student success platform.
• Collaborate with ITS support staff on a regular basis to maintain functionality.
• Analyze data and generate reports on Starfish activity and functionality as needed to support data-informed decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with key campus partners to drive coordination of technology-enabled initiatives to promote student success and retention across the university.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to analyze current business processes, document functional and non-functional requirements for university-wide systems and identify opportunities for improvement to ensure alignment with the new student success system.
• Absorb and provide end-user training for all stakeholders on usage of Starfish and the new student success system, including preparing materials and supporting live or virtual sessions.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between project stakeholders, technical teams, and end users.
• Review and assess new functionalities in enterprise applications to ensure data integrity and compliance with university and Information Technology Services (ITS) standards.
• Manage small-scale projects related to system enhancements or new functionality, including developing and maintaining project schedules, coordinating with ITS personnel and university stakeholders, tracking deliverables, supporting query development, and reporting progress to leadership.
• Develop and document procedures, workflows, and operational practices to support implementation and ongoing use of the software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of two years of experience in higher education student success systems, management information systems, or related field.
• Experience with ERP or student success technologies from both the user and implementation perspectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in written communication skills.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and working with diverse groups/populations.

EEO Statement

URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state’s public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Environmental Conditions

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.