Student Success Coach CARES Grant

About the role

The Student Success Coach (Academic Advisor II) in the CARES grant plays a critical role in supporting students throughout their academic journey. This grant-funded position is responsible for providing personalized academic advising, coaching, and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide One-on-One Advising: Meet regularly with students to discuss academic goals, progress, course selection, and career aspirations. Guide students in developing clear academic pathways that align with their personal, academic, and professional objectives.
• Assist with Course Registration: Advise students on appropriate course selection, balancing academic load, and meeting program prerequisites. Provide guidance on transfer requirements, major-specific courses, and electives that align with career goals.
• Conduct Degree Audits: Track students' progress toward graduation and ensure they are on track to meet program and institutional requirements. Review transfer credits and help students understand their academic progress.
• Support Student Retention and Success: Act as a proactive support system for students, addressing challenges that may impact their academic success. Monitor student performance and provide interventions for students at risk of academic difficulty or withdrawal.
• Create Personalized Success Plans: Work with students to create individualized success plans that identify academic goals, strategies for overcoming barriers, and timelines for achievement. Follow up regularly with students to assess progress and adjust plans as needed.
• Motivate Students: Inspire students to set both short-term and long-term academic and personal goals. Help students develop self-regulation strategies, time management skills, and organizational habits to improve academic performance and retention.
• Engage in Proactive Outreach: Reach out to at-risk students, including those on academic probation, students who have stopped attending classes, and students who may be struggling. Provide encouragement, resources, and guidance to help students stay on track.
• Lead New Student Orientations: Facilitate orientation sessions for new students, helping them acclimate to the college environment, understand academic policies, and get acquainted with student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and financial aid.
• Work with Underrepresented Populations: Provide targeted support for underrepresented and first-generation college students, helping them navigate challenges unique to their backgrounds and supporting their academic and social integration into the college community.
• Aid in Career Exploration and Development: Assist students in exploring career options, identifying career goals, and understanding the educational requirements for various fields. Provide resources for career assessments, internships, job search strategies, and professional development.
• Promote Transfer Opportunities: Advise students on transfer opportunities to four-year institutions, ensuring that they meet all prerequisites, deadlines, and application requirements. Assist with transfer application processes and provide information about scholarships, financial aid, and articulation agreements.
• Collaborate with College Departments: Work with faculty, administrators, and support staff to identify students who need additional academic or personal support. Attend department meetings and stay informed about academic programs and institutional policies.
• Make Appropriate Referrals: Make referrals to other student support services, including tutoring, counseling, disability services, financial aid, and career services. Act as a liaison between students and these departments to ensure timely access to resources.
• Monitor and Report on Student Progress: Use student information systems to track student progress, document advising sessions, and follow up on academic success strategies. Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of student interactions, progress, and outcomes. Provide feedback and reports on student retention, graduation rates, and program effectiveness.
• Participate in Institutional Assessment Efforts: Contribute to advising policy development and participate in institutional assessment efforts to improve advising services.
• Stay Current on Advising Best Practices: Continuously engage in professional development opportunities, including training on new advising technologies, student success strategies, and trends in higher education. Participate in conferences, workshops, and webinars to stay up to date on advising tools and resources.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field required; master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in academic advising, student coaching, or related student services. Experience working with community college students, particularly non-traditional, first-generation, or underrepresented populations, is preferred.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with students, faculty, and staff. Knowledge of academic programs, career development, and student success strategies. Proficiency in using student information systems (SIS), Microsoft Office Suite, and advising-related software. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in compliance with FERPA regulations. Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple student cases simultaneously. Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to assist students in overcoming academic and personal challenges.

Qualifications

• Empathetic, patient, and supportive in working with students facing academic or personal challenges.
• Passionate about student success and committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and engaging college environment.
• Strong desire to work collaboratively and contribute to a positive team culture within the Student Services department.

Benefits

Big Sandy Community & Technical College offers a competitive benefits package, including exceptional health care, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, tuition reimbursement/waiver for you, your spouse, and dependents, a 5% employee contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer match, vacation/sick time, work-life balance, 9.5 paid holidays, and institutional closing pay (last 2 weeks of December) for qualifying positions. Additionally, there is an Employee Assistance Program available.