Math Support Specialist

Muskegon Community College 

Muskegon Community College is a center for lifelong learning that helps people attain their educational goals by offering programs that respond to individual, community, and global needs. MCC is an associate degree-granting institution of higher education and an applied technology leader for high-tech, hands-on training.

With nearly a 100-year history of academic excellence, MCC is a public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With robust student success support, free tutoring, 18 athletic teams, events, clubs, and activities, MCC has an annual, full-time equated student enrollment of approximately 2,300 and an unduplicated headcount of 5,100.

Most recently, Muskegon Community College outranked all other colleges in Michigan for the rate of students who received federal financial aid and then transferred to continue their education at a four-year institution. The college’s transfer-out rate was the highest in Michigan, 7 percentage points above the state average, and outpaced the average transfer rate across the nation. MCC is nationally recognized for its liberal arts and occupational programs. 

The College has an annual operating budget (general fund) of $44 million and employs about 210 regular full and part-time staff and many adjunct faculty and student assistants. The College also offers 56 Associate degree programs and 29 certificate programs.  

The main campus is located on a 111-acre campus in Muskegon which includes the Hendrik Meijer Library & Information Technology Center, Bartels-Rode Gymnasium, Frauenthal Foundation Fine Arts Center (including the Overbrook Theater and Art Gallery), Stevenson Center for Higher Education, the Science Center, the Health and Wellness Center, and the Art & Music Center.  

Muskegon Community College also operates the Sturrus Technology Center and Fab Lab in downtown Muskegon and extension centers in Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County 
Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Winter Sports Complex and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high-speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D-Day. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled; First reviews July 14th, 2025

Status: Full-Time 40 hours/52 weeks

Pay: up to $45,000 depending on experience

College Hours:  Typically Monday 8AM-6:30PM; Tuesday-Thursday 8AM-5:30PM, Friday 8AM-12PM; occasional evening or weekend hours

General Description: 

The Math Support Specialist will play a pivotal role in shaping the success of students in gateway mathematics courses by developing and implementing programs for mathematics support and interventions. The Math Support Specialist will primarily work with students in gateway mathematics courses who have learning support needs such as limited foundational mathematics skills, an extreme level of mathematics anxiety (often paired with extremely low level of self-efficacy), and returning students who need to refresh their mathematics skills. The Math Support Specialist will prepare and deliver in-person and virtual support for these students, including but not limited to, one-on-one support, group supplemental instruction, mathematics refresher workshops, embedded tutoring in gateway mathematics courses, and follow-up to math-related academic referrals.

The Math Support Specialist will help support students by creating a safe and welcoming learning environment; developing trust and creating long-term connections with both students, mathematics faculty, and college staff (e.g. counselors); helping students develop a growth mindset and self-efficacy with respect to mathematics; and providing individualized and group mathematics support outside of class. The Math Support Specialist will be a contributing, solution-oriented member of the Academic Support department team who will support student success and Muskegon Community College in executing its strategic and tactical plans.  

This is an on-campus full-time position. Typical Academic Support department hours are Mondays from 8:00 am–6:30 pm, Tuesday–Thursday from 8:00 am–5:30 pm and Fridays from 8:00 am–12 pm and will include occasional weekend or evening hours.

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1.         Bachelor’s degree required in mathematics or a related field.

2.         Experience working in an educational setting teaching or tutoring. Experience working with students needing mathematics learning support preferred. Higher education experience preferred.

3.         Experience working with and relating to people of all ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds.

4.         Understanding of Adult Learning Theory, and/or similar pedagogical methods preferred.

5.         Ability to effectively develop trust, build relationships, and create partnerships with faculty and staff from varying backgrounds.

6.         Demonstrated excellence in both oral and written communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.

7.         Experience with online homework systems such as WebAssign, ALEKS, Connect, etc., preferred.

8.         Proficiency in office technology (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word), software (Advise/Colleague preferred), and equipment. Ability and willingness to upgrade skills including technology and process changes.

9.         Ability to guide students to college resources such as the student portal (MyMCC), the learning management system (Blackboard Ultra), counseling and advising, academic support services, financial aid, scholarships, etc.

10.     Ability to manage multiple projects while keeping accurate records and providing reports in a timely manner.

11.     Ability to handle complex and detail-oriented tasks and projects.

12.     Proactive, creative, and willing to assume responsibility and take initiative.

13.     Ability to work well collaboratively and with minimum supervision.

14.     Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment.

15.     Highly motivated and solution-oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics, and dedication to the college's mission.

16.     Ability and willingness to work occasional weekends and/or evenings as needed to ensure service coverage.

Essential Functions:

1.      Coordinate and lead supplemental mathematics instruction sessions for individuals and small groups to help students achieve the learning objectives of their gateway mathematics courses.

2.      Collaborate with mathematics faculty to develop effective mathematics educational practices, small group academic interventions, and individualized learning support services, as necessary. This includes but is not limited to tutoring students in mathematics, offering basic study skills instruction, and providing technical computer skill instruction based on student, faculty, and program needs.

3.      Collaborate with Academic Support department faculty and staff to design, implement, and facilitate workshops that help students prepare for taking and retaking mathematics placement tests.

4.      Provide scheduled and drop-in mathematics support for individuals and groups, as necessary.

5.      Collaborate with the Tutoring Services Manager to provide support to professional mathematics tutors and/or student tutors, as needed.

6.      Collaborate with the Tutoring Services Manager and mathematics faculty to provide embedded tutoring in mathematics courses, as necessary.

7.      Create a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students.

8.      Integrate practices that will help students develop a growth mindset and improved self-efficacy with respect to mathematics.

9.      Provide outreach and follow-up to mathematics-related Care Reports, as necessary. When appropriate, conduct an assessment of a student’s mathematics support needs and develop an individualized mathematics support plan.

10.  Assist students with supplemental mathematics homework programs, such as WebAssign, ALEKS, Connect, etc.

11.  Collaborate with the Testing Center, faculty, and academic advisors to help students determine appropriate mathematics placement and connect students with appropriate academic resources.

12.  Collect and analyze data on student success metrics (retention rates, grades, etc.) to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. 

13.  Stay current on best practices in the field of mathematics learning/support, incorporate innovative approaches to improve students’ success in mathematics courses, and continuously enhance the mathematics support services. This may require attendance at conferences and/or participation in webinars, etc.

14.  Advocate for the needs and challenges faced by mathematics students and ensure that their voices are heard in the college community.

15.  Engage in a process of data-driven continuous improvement by documenting, collecting, and reviewing data related to mathematics support services to determine the effectiveness of interventions and mathematics support practices.

16.  Prepare reports and presentations to communicate program outcomes and recommendations to stakeholders.

17.  Open and close the Academic Support department on a rotating basis with other staff.

18.  Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

☒  Detailed Work      

☒  Student Contact

☒  Deadline oriented   

☒  Problem Situations             

☐  Multiple Priorities & Demands   

☒  Emergency Situations

☒  Confidentiality       

☐  On-call Availability

☒  Continual Interruptions     

☒  Working Alone

☒  Faculty Contact          

☒  Working with Others

Physical Demands:

☒  Standing & Walking   

☒  Sitting

☒  Reclining  

☐  Carrying                  

☐  Lifting up to 10 lbs.            ☒ Up to 25 lbs.                  ☐  Up to 50 lbs.               ☐ 80 + lbs.

☐  Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending    

☐  Climb or Balance

☐  Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl      

☐  Squatting

☐  Handle or Feel        

☐  Reach with Hands and Arms

☒  Talking or hearing     

☐  Tasting/Smelling

☐  Working Overhead        

☒  Speak in English via Phone or In Person

☒  Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions

☒  Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

☐ Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.

☒ Normal Office environment with little, if any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.

Muskegon Community College is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.  To the extent required by applicable law, anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College.  If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.