Wingate University is a teaching-focused institution serving more than 3,600 students across two campuses. Located on a beautiful 500+ acre main campus, Wingate offers a close-knit, supportive community where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, Wingate is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and welcomes applicants who are excited to join our mission and make an impact. Learn more at University in Charlotte, NC | Quick Facts About Wingate. The mission of Wingate University is to develop educated, ethical and productive global citizens. Following its Judeo-Christian heritage, the university seeks to cultivate the following in its students: Faith, Knowledge and Service. The University’s Mission statement can be found here.
Position Summary:
The Student Development & Independent Living Specialist is a professional staff member
responsible for designing and implementing the student development model for Julia’s
Learning. Working as part of a three-person professional team, this position leads the
Program’s efforts to help students build independence, executive functioning, social
competence, self-advocacy, and adult living skills through individual coaching, experiential
learning, and authentic campus and community experiences.
This position serves as the program’s subject-matter expert in student development and
transition to adulthood, partnering closely with the Director and Campus Support
Coordinator to ensure students make meaningful progress toward individualized goals.
Reports to: Director, Julia’s Learning
Works collaboratively with: Campus Support Coordinator, student mentors, faculty, campus
partners, families, and community organizations.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Regular, predictable attendance on campus
Alignment with University mission, vision, and strategic roadmap
Student Development: Design and implement individualized student development plans; provide one-on-one coaching; help students develop executive functioning, problem-solving, decision-making, emotional regulation, communication, and self-advocacy skills.
Independent Living: Develop learning experiences related to meal planning, cooking, apartment management, budgeting, transportation, personal wellness, organization, and daily routines.
Curriculum & Program Development: Work alongside the Director in the development and continuous improvement of Julia’s Learning curriculum focused on college success, employment readiness, community engagement, and independent adulthood.
Mentor Development: Train and coach student mentors to reinforce independence rather than create dependence; provide strategies for supporting neurodiverse learners.
Assessment & Outcomes: Measure student growth, maintain progress documentation, recommend program improvements, and partner with the Director on individualized success plans.
Campus & Community Integration: Create authentic learning opportunities through campus employment, student organizations, volunteerism, recreation, and community participation.
Other job duties/responsibilities may be assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in occupational therapy rehabilitation counseling, special education, psychology, counseling, disability services, human development, recreation therapy, or a related field.
Three or more years of experience supporting adolescents or young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, or other neurodiverse populations.
Demonstrated knowledge of executive functioning, transition-to-adulthood, independent living instruction, and person-centered planning.
Experience developing curriculum, coaching individuals, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Background in occupational therapy or OT-informed practice is highly desirable, but professional licensure is not required.
Passion for higher education and inclusive college experiences.
Innovative, collaborative, and strengths-based approach to student development.
Ability to design systems and learning experiences that foster increasing independence.
What Success Looks Like:
Students demonstrate increasing independence across academic, residential, social, and employment settings.
Student mentors consistently reinforce skill development.
Julia’s Learning maintains a high-quality, evidence-informed student development model.
Families and campus partners view the program as preparing students for successful adult lives.
Benefits & Employee Experience:
Wingate University is committed to supporting employees both personally and professionally through a comprehensive benefits package and a collaborative campus community. Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plan with institutional contribution; paid time off and holidays; tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents; and access to campus facilities, wellness resources, and professional development opportunities.
Application Instructions:
Thank you for your interest in joining the Wingate University community. Please complete all sections of the application and upload all required documents. A résumé is required for all positions, and a curriculum vitae (CV) is requested for faculty roles or other positions where applicable.
Special Instructions:
If a previous school, employer, or organization does not appear in the dropdown menu, please remove that section using the trash can icon and upload the relevant information in your application materials instead. This will insure your application moves forward without delay.
In compliance with applicable law and University policies, Wingate University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation or gender identity), age, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. At this time, we are currently seeking candidates with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
