Student Success Advisor

Walden University was founded over 50 years ago to support adult learners in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and communities. Students from across the U.S. and more than 115 countries pursue online certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees at Walden. We offer more than 100 online degrees and certificate programs and are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

About the role

Student Success Coaches serve as academic mentors, coaches, advisors, and champions focused on the success of their students. They partner with students throughout their academic program, providing support to ensure meaningful progress. Coaches work weekly with assigned students to overcome learning obstacles and understand program expectations, collaborating closely with faculty to ensure academic engagement and success.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, comprehensive program guidance to an assigned caseload of 120–150 students.
• Support students in educational planning and progress from enrollment to graduation.
• Manage students' academic progress according to university policies.
• Ensure students frequently engage with faculty for deeper academic support.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of all academic engagements.
• Communicate regularly with students according to university protocol.
• Serve as an expert on academic program details, answering student questions or obtaining answers.
• Advise students on time management and schedule benchmarks for mastering program concepts, knowledge, and skills.
• Help students identify learning strengths and weaknesses and connect them with university resources.
• Evaluate student learning styles, skills, deficiencies, and goals; identify and facilitate use of appropriate learning resources.
• Monitor student academic progress, communicate weekly, and intervene as needed to assist struggling students.
• Assist students in career planning within the boundaries of expertise and direct them to additional resources.
• Coach students on university policies, procedures, program requirements, and related academic matters.
• Work closely with faculty to strategically coordinate and address student inquiries while supporting academic integrity.
• Guide students to develop accountability for their decisions and understand their impact on success.
• Provide proactive guidance on acclimating to undergraduate or graduate lifestyles and building supportive environments.
• Empower students to maintain effective connections to the university and its online community.
• Spend significant time working at a computer and on the phone using a headset.
• Be flexible with work hours/schedule to accommodate student needs.
• Work above and beyond 40 hours per week during peak periods as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3 years of experience working in a service-oriented environment or university setting.
• Strong commitment to education and counseling or coaching skills to keep online students on track.
• Excellent problem-solving and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to resolve student issues from request through resolution.
• Experience working with multiple databases and student platforms.
• Skilled at connecting and building rapport with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Creative, innovative, and adaptable to new and rapidly changing situations.
• Self-starter with familiarity in online learning and internet technology (a plus).

Schedule

Hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week (Monday–Thursday).

Pay

The expected salary range for this position is $24.00 to $28.00 per hour, adjusted based on experience, training, geographic location, licensure, certifications, market factors, departmental budgets, and responsibility.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401k Retirement Program with a 6% employer match.
• 15 paid vacation days each calendar year.
• 12 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays.