Success Coach

Job Summary

The TRIO/High Potential Success Coach provides proactive and comprehensive support for first generation and/or low-income students participating in the High Potential program, a grant-funded TRIO Student Support Services program sponsored by the United States Department of Education. Reporting to the HP Director, the TRIO/HP Coach will provide individualized and holistic monitoring, tracking and support services to low-income and/or first generation students from diverse backgrounds over the entire course of students' undergraduate life-cycle. The TRIO/HP coach is an essential member of the High Potential program team at Saint Mary's College, in which staff work independently and collaboratively to increase educational equity and inclusive excellence through data-driven programming, supportive institutional structures, and student success initiatives and services for TRIO/HP students.

Essential Responsibilities

Coaching

• Initiate proactive, regular, and consistent contact with TRIO students (in person, postal mail, phone, email, text, social media), build rapport with students, serve as the assigned students' designated student success coach over the course of their academic life-cycle.
• Build trusting relationships with a diverse student population by delivering personalized, constructive, engaging, motivating, and informative coaching sessions.
• Advocate on behalf of first-generation and/or low-income students, providing targeted and tailored support and services to High Potential students based on identified risk factors including academic, financial, and psychosocial factors with specific attention to underprepared, underserved and/or traditionally underrepresented students in higher education.
• Work with individual TRIO/HP students to develop realistic goals that will contribute to academic and personal success for undergraduate and graduate students; develop relationships that foster developmental conversations; and motivate students to achieve educational and psychosocial goals.

Tracking and Assessment

• Monitor and track TRIO student performance and progress through college systems (Conexed, GaelXpress/Retention Alert).
• Maintain consistent and confidential records of individual student data, interactions, interventions and referrals.
• Track student participation in required TRIO program activities using additional tracking methods.

Referrals and Interventions

• Refer and connect TRIO/HP students with relevant college resources; coordinate with college and other stakeholders regarding additional outreach, support and follow up.
• Exercise cultural competence and utilize group and individual interventions such as but not limited to, educational and career planning, crisis management, referral services to college resources, decision-making, transition management, personal growth and development, social adjustments, and goal setting.

TRIO/HP Student Engagement and Program Service

• Work collaboratively with other staff to support students in the HP program and office, including the graduate Program Assistant, Peer Mentors, and Student Advisory Board.
• Provide initiative and leadership with HP staff, support faculty, and peer mentors in the planning and implementing of the HP SAILS program for incoming students, as well as programming initiatives throughout the year.
• Establish a reliable presence in the HP office for students to seek out as a resource, and provide organizational support for connecting students with resources provided in the space.
• Initiate, design, develop, and execute student, faculty, staff, and parent/family/alumni initiatives to enhance educational equity and inclusive excellence related to student success, retention, persistence, academic achievement, and graduation rates. Proactively engage TRIO/HP students, families, and campus community.
• Develop and conduct success workshops pertaining to academic, personal and professional development, including topics, strategies, training, or skill building which model best practices in student success, and are specific to the caseload of TRIO/HP students, liaison school, department(s), and/or major(s).

Advocacy and Outreach

• Outreach to students by creating and implementing student-centered programs, events and activities as well as attending and participating in college-wide events and programming. Collaborate and communicate clearly with campus colleagues to support student success and advocacy.
• Foster a culture of commencement by supporting TRIO/HP students through their broader SMC college experience, such as new and transfer student programs, First Year Experience, First Year Advising Cohorts (FYAC), student involvement fairs, cultural graduations, residential experience, student leadership programs and clubs, and other college programs and events.
• Support students through academic processes of Academic Recovery Review Board (ARRB) and probation, Academic Honor Council, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review for Financial Aid.
• Support students through knowledgeable communication and advocacy among campus partners, especially in Academic Success, Advising, Student Life, Financial Aid, Registrar, and the Business Office.

Administration, Research and Assessment

• Maintain accurate, organized, and detailed case management processes and procedures including note taking and student records; develop and maintain reports as assigned; and maintain appropriate filing and documentation per FERPA and TRIO guidelines.
• Implement and manage accountability standards for student services to ensure student success. Conduct assessments and evaluations of coaching, engagement, advocacy and outreach.
• Maintain budget expectations and guidelines related to assigned projects and programs with the Director.
• Develop and suggest policies, procedures and processes related to TRIO/HP student success with the Director.

Professional Development

• Stay current on best practices for student success and working with diverse college students.
• Invest in expanding your own areas of professional exploration and deepening of professional expertise.

Other Duties as Assigned

Experience And Qualifications

Education: Baccalaureate degree required, Master's degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, student affairs, educational support services, nonprofit, or a related field, including at least one (1) year working directly with underserved populations, including low-income and/or first-generation college students. Experience providing case management, coaching, advising, or student success programming is strongly preferred.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations across race, class, gender, sexuality, age, and/or ability.
• Demonstrated experience working with underrepresented students in secondary or postsecondary setting.
• Strong belief in the ability for first generation and low income students to succeed in college.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with college students.
• Commitment to a strengths-based style of interaction designed to move students from dependence, to independence, to interdependence.

Benefits

Health Insurance

The College offers a range of medical plan options to allow employees to select coverage that best meets their individual and family needs. Plan offerings may include PPO medical plans, HMO medical plans, and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), where applicable. Specific carriers and plan designs are outlined in the annual open enrollment materials.

Eligible Dependents

Eligible dependents may include a legally married spouse, a state-registered domestic partner, and qualifying children up to age 26. Dependent eligibility is subject to plan terms and required documentation.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Saint Mary's College offers employees the opportunity to participate in pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts, which may include:

• Health Care FSA – for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses
• Dependent Care FSA – for eligible childcare or dependent care expenses

Annual contribution limits are established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Life Insurance

The College provides employer-paid basic life insurance coverage for eligible employees. Additional voluntary life insurance options may be available, including:

• Basic Term Life
• Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Optional Employee Life Insurance
• Optional Dependent Life Insurance
• Optional AD&D coverage

Coverage levels, eligibility, and enrollment details are outlined in plan materials.

Dental & Vision Insurance

Eligible employees may enroll in dental and vision coverage. In some cases, dental and vision plans may be elected independently of medical coverage, providing flexibility based on individual needs. Plan details, network information, and coverage summaries are provided during enrollment.

Disability Benefits

Saint Mary's College provides disability coverage designed to protect income in the event of a qualifying illness or injury. Benefits may include:

• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)

Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined according to plan documents.

Retirement Benefits

Saint Mary's College offers retirement benefits to support long-term financial planning. Eligible employees may participate in:

• A defined contribution retirement plan
• Employer contributions in accordance with College policy
• Voluntary employee pre-tax and/or Roth contributions, subject to IRS limits

Plan details, vesting schedules, and eligibility requirements are outlined in official retirement plan documents. Employees are encouraged to review plan materials carefully and consult with a financial advisor.