Student Success Specialist
About the Role
The Student Success Specialist serves as a member of the MU Connect Office within Undergraduate Studies. This position provides proactive outreach, coaching, and support to undergraduate students who may be experiencing academic or personal challenges. Working closely with faculty, advisors, and campus partners, the Student Success Specialist helps students connect with resources, navigate university processes, and develop strategies for academic success and degree completion. The position serves a unique role that facilitates student connection and success, and supports the effective use of student success technologies, including MU Connect (Starfish), Roary (EdSights), Canvas, and related systems, leveraging data-informed practices to improve student outcomes and persistence.
Key Responsibilities
- Reach out to students who may benefit from additional support based on academic alerts, student data, and other indicators.
- Facilitate coaching conversations, assess student needs, and connect students with appropriate campus resources and support services.
- Document student interactions and support activities in MU Connect (Starfish) and related systems.
- Collaborate with faculty, advisors, and campus partners to coordinate support for students.
- Use information from MU Connect (Starfish), Roary (EdSights), Canvas, and other systems to prioritize outreach and track outcomes.
- Support student success initiatives, communication campaigns, training efforts, and continuous improvement of student support processes.
- Participate in professional development and contribute to departmental projects and institutional student success goals.
- May have opportunity to prepare for and teach at least one student success course or participate in other student success programming.
What You'll Bring
- A passion for helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
- Strong communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Comfort learning and using student support technologies, data, and data systems.
- A commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive student information.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in higher education, academic support, advising, student success, retention, case management, or related student support environments.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
- Experience utilizing student information systems, learning management systems, CRM platforms, or student success technologies such as Starfish, EdSights, Canvas, or similar tools.
- Experience using data and student information to inform outreach, support, and intervention efforts.
- Knowledge of student development theory, coaching practices, and strategies that promote student engagement, persistence, and academic success.
Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Pay
- Salary Range: $19.25 - $27.40 per hour
- Grade: GGS 008
- University Title: Student Success Specialist
About the Team
The Office of MU Connect, housed within Undergraduate Studies, supports undergraduate achievement and persistence through the management of technology-enabled support systems and the coordination of proactive outreach, referral, and intervention processes across the university. Through tools such as MU Connect (Starfish) and Roary (EdSights), the team facilitates university-wide efforts focused on early identification of student needs, coordinated support, and data-informed engagement strategies. The Student Success Specialist joins a small, collaborative team that partners closely with faculty, advisors, and campus support offices to help students navigate challenges and thrive at Mizzou.
Community Information
Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!
Benefits
- Medical, dental and vision plans
- Retirement
- Paid time off
- Short- and long-term disability
- Paid parental leave
- Paid caregiver leave
- Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR. Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Completed online application, cover letter, and resume are required.