Coordinator of Academic Success, Advising, and Retention

Job Description

Job Description

Department/Division: Academic Advising and Retention/Academic Affairs

Status: Full-time, exempt

Work schedule: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, occasional weekend/evening/virtual hours as needed.

Position Summary

The Coordinator of Academic Success, Advising, and Retention supports undergraduate student success, persistence, and timely degree completion at Baldwin Wallace University. This position reports to the Executive Director for Student Success and provides holistic academic advising and academic coaching, delivers proactive outreach to at-risk students, and coordinates initiatives aligned with the University’s Leader Ready, Career Ready, and Future Ready framework.

Working collaboratively with faculty, advisors, and campus partners, the Coordinator of Academic Success, Advising, and Retention identifies barriers to student success, implements targeted interventions, and contributes to a coordinated, student-centered retention strategy. The Coordinator of Academic Success, Advising, and Retention assists students in navigating academic challenges, monitors progress, and connects students to appropriate campus resources to support their success. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential in fostering a supportive and inclusive advising environment.

Responsibilities

Academic Advising & Coaching

• Provide holistic academic advising and success coaching that supports students in course planning, goal setting, academic skill development, and timely progress toward degree completion.

• Monitor student performance and persistence indicators to identify at-risk students and implement proactive retention strategies that address academic and personal barriers to success.
• Serve as an Advising Ambassador to specific schools and/or departments

• Support Student Planning training initiatives.

Retention & Student Outreach

• Identify and conduct outreach to at-risk students using early alert systems, academic data, and referrals
• Develop and implement intervention strategies to improve persistence and academic success
• Maintain consistent follow-up with students to assess progress and connect them to campus resources

• Collaborate with faculty, academic departments, athletics, and student support offices to deliver a coordinated student success approach that promotes retention, engagement, and academic achievement.

Orientation & Onboarding

• Support new student orientation programming, including advising, schedule development, and transition support
• Assist in onboarding initiatives that promote early engagement and academic success
• Contribute to first-year and transfer student success strategies

Programming, Communication & Special Projects

• Develop and deliver workshops, communications, and resources that support student success and retention
• Coordinate outreach campaigns to targeted student populations
• Support special projects such as:
  • Scholarship communication and outreach
  • Accommodated test proctoring and peak-period student support
  • Retention and engagement initiatives tied to institutional priorities
• Assist in planning and executing student success events and initiatives

Collaboration & Institutional Initiatives

• Contribute to initiatives that advance Baldwin Wallace’s Leader Ready, Career Ready, and Future Ready framework
• Partner with the Career Center to refer students to career development resources, including resume support, interview preparation, networking opportunities, and internship or job-search strategies.
• Serve as a designated support partner for student-athletes, collaborating with Athletics staff and faculty to monitor academic progress and promote balance between academic and athletic commitments.
• Partner with academic departments, faculty advisors, and student support offices to provide coordinated care for students
• Participate in divisional and university-wide retention and student success efforts
• Maintain accurate records of student interactions and outcomes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 1–3 years of experience in academic advising, student success, retention, or related area
• Professional communication skills (listening, speaking, presenting, and writing)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong customer service orientation, and the ability to foster relationships built on trust and respect
• Motivation to work with individuals with diverse skills, abilities, and backgrounds
• Capacity to address student issues from request to resolution ensuring a positive student experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Capability to work efficiently both independently and when collaborating with a team
• Ability to handle sensitive and complex information in a mature and professional manner
• Proficiency with computer hardware, software, and online platforms (especially Microsoft Office and Adobe suites)
• Motivation and capacity to learn new computer software, online platforms, electronics, and processes.
• Successful completion of the University’s background check

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience with early alert systems or case management models
• Background in academic coaching or student success programming
• Familiarity with retention strategies and data-informed decision making
• Experience supporting first-year or at-risk student populations
• Experience using data management systems such as Navigate, CampusGroups (Jacket Connect), Colleague, Informer, or Canvas.

Core Competencies

• Student-centered and equity-minded approach
• Ability to build relationships and establish trust with students
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. Minimal physical effort is required. No or minimal exposure to physical risk.

Compensation:

A competitive salary is offered plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes affordable health and dental insurance, paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays, university-paid long and short-term disability insurance, 403 (b) retirement plan, university-paid life insurance, and tuition remission benefits for employee and family.

Application Procedures:

The search committee will begin reviewing complete applications immediately and the position will remain open until filled. Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references in one (1) Word document or one (1) PDF and submit via the To Apply link on HR’s Current Job Openings web page.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, meeting applicable pre-employment requirements, and compliance with University and departmental policies, including completion of required training.

Baldwin Wallace University is an EEO employer and educator. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. At BW, we support and encourage diversity in a variety of forms. We value and appreciate inclusive excellence in the classroom, within extracurricular activities and as we engage our community partners.