Administrator of Student Success Initiatives, Academic Support

Location: Big Rapids, MI (Main Campus)

This is a grant-funded, temporary full-time position through September 30, 2029. Continued employment is contingent upon successful performance and the availability of grant funding. The anticipated start date is September 2026.

Offers are determined based on qualifications, including education, training, experience, and internal pay equity considerations.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship.

About the Role

Provide leadership and direct support for academic success initiatives within the Office of Student Success Initiatives (SSI), with a primary emphasis on advancing the persistence, academic success, and degree completion of first-generation students. Through proactive, individualized, and coordinated support, the Administrator will help students navigate academic and transitional challenges, connect with university resources, and develop strategies for success.

This position supports the implementation and continuous improvement of the University's Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant while helping integrate grant-supported strategies into the broader student success infrastructure.

Pay

Advertised salary range: $60,892–$70,729. Placement within the range is based on:

• Entry-Range: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and core requirements of the position.
• Mid-Range: Candidates with three or more years of directly related professional experience and demonstrate proficiency in the key responsibilities of the role.
• Upper Range: Candidates with seven or more years of directly related experience, advanced knowledge, specialized skills, certifications, or expertise that provide significant value to the position.

Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's overall qualifications, experience, and alignment with the University's compensation philosophy in consultation with Human Resources.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit package including health care, vacation, and other benefits. View full benefit plans for administrative positions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for students, with an intentional focus on supporting first-generation students and others who may benefit from additional academic and transitional support.
• Provide academic support, coaching, guidance, and referrals to campus resources.
• Assist in triaging academic referrals and student success alerts through the Navigate360 student success management platform.
• Manage a caseload of students, prioritizing outreach and support for first-generation students, by monitoring academic progress, engagement, and persistence indicators.
• Conduct proactive outreach and provide timely, individualized interventions to support student success, persistence, and retention.
• Assist with the implementation of ReFOCUS and other student success initiatives designed to support students experiencing academic challenges.
• Provide individualized coaching, facilitate workshops and interventions, monitor student progress, and connect participants with academic, financial, and personal support resources.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to deliver coordinated support services, assess program effectiveness, and contribute to strategies that promote student persistence, academic recovery, and degree completion.
• Help students navigate university processes and connect with appropriate campus resources, recognizing and addressing barriers that first-generation students may experience in accessing and navigating institutional systems.
• Initiate referrals to campus partners in financial aid, housing, billing, basic needs, accommodations, tutoring and writing support, career services, and wellness services.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and campus partners to support student success and advocate for student needs while encouraging student accountability, self-advocacy, and engagement.
• Support the integration of first-generation student success strategies across Student Success Initiatives programs and services, collaborating with campus partners to strengthen coordinated academic and transitional support for first-generation students.
• Assist with the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of Student Success Initiatives programs and services, including special projects and grant-funded initiatives that advance student success, persistence, retention, and degree completion.
• Support activities associated with the University's Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant, including strategies designed to advance first-generation student success and strengthen institutional capacity to support these students.
• Maintain accurate records of student interactions, coaching activities, referrals, interventions, and outcomes.
• Assist with institutional and grant reporting requirements and ensure compliance with university policies and applicable federal regulations, including FERPA.
• Supervise, train, and support student peer mentors and interns, fostering their professional development and effectiveness in supporting student success initiatives.
• Support peer-based approaches that strengthen academic support, connection, and engagement among first-generation students.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret student success data to evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement, including outcomes related to first-generation student success and applicable Title III activities.
• Prepare reports, maintain program documentation, and contribute to assessment efforts that support student persistence, retention, and degree completion goals.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
• Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Perform any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Requirements

• Education:
  • Minimum: Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, human services, psychology, or a closely related field.
  • Preferred: Master’s degree in education, counseling, student affairs/development, or a related field.
• Work Experience:
  • Minimum: Previous professional experience in academic advising, student services, counseling, academic coaching, student affairs, teaching, or human services.
  • Preferred: Professional background in higher education working specifically with at-risk, first-year, or transitional student populations.
• Additional Considerations: Preference will be given to candidates with:
  • Proven experience interpreting and applying academic policies and utilizing student records or early alert monitoring systems.
  • Experience utilizing coaching, motivational interviewing, strengths-based advising, case management, or other student-centered support approaches.

Skills

• Exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and capable of multitasking.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with campus stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills across multiple media formats.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform data-driven decision-making and develop comprehensive reports.
• Competence with Microsoft Office, Excel, OneDrive/SharePoint, and common data tracking tools; Navigate360 experience preferred.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.

Physical Demands

• Office environment
• Carrying, moving, reaching, sitting, twisting, repetitive movement, standing

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1 (bachelor's or master's degree; must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded)

Optional: Unofficial Transcript 2 (for applicants who have completed additional college coursework or attained a Master's degree). Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript.