Student Success Coach

Job Description

Job Summary:

Focuses on two primary tasks for undergraduate students: 1) assists students in learning how to make informed decisions about academic matters including advisement for programs, course selection and mapping, and related topic areas while maintaining appropriate records; and 2) proactively engages undergraduate students to provide guidance and support for their personal and professional goals. The Student Success Coach works with students after they have been accepted and financial aid packages have been received. Prior to that, engagement with the prospective students is managed by the Admission and Financial Aid departments. The Student Success Coach will then serve as the primary point of contact concerning each student's overall personal and academic growth during their time at TU, and possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to assist with basic academic advising across disciplines and/or colleges plus a deep knowledge of other support services available on campus to support students, including key faculty mentors who can provide invaluable knowledge of specific disciplines and career professionals. The ideal candidate for this position will be a self-motivated learner who develops strong working relationships with students and builds bridges across departments, colleges, faculty, and support units across campus. Successful candidates will have experience determining needs and developing programs to meet needs of stakeholders.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities):

• Provides timely assistance, information, and advice to students (individually and in groups) regarding the development of educational course/degree plan options, the resources available, and university policies in a way that relates to the student's developmental stage ensuring their understanding.
• Quickly establishes rapport with each student to help the student feel accepted, engaged, empowered, and set on a path of self-discovery
• Proactively engages students in conversations, goal setting, and plans that will improve student success
  • Consistently handles follow-up with students to provide accountability for the plans they map in coaching sessions
  • Serves as a liaison and provides help for students to navigate potentially confusing aspects of campus to ensure students can find appropriate campus resources
  • Facilitates expedient student referrals to other offices and campus resources as required
• Communicates coherently, diplomatically, and tactfully daily with students, parents, colleagues, and internal and external constituents using effective listening skills and exhibiting a professional courteous demeanor at all times.
• Utilizes appropriate systems and technologies as directed for program tracking, record keeping, and internal communication.
• Responsibly monitors retention alerts, grade reports, student enrollment progress, and other data to prioritize student meetings and interventions
• Provides instructional support for TU's First Year Experience (FYE) courses, as well as supports other courses and student programming, including summer boot camps, bridge programs, orientation, etc. as requested
• Assists and supports leadership in the organization, delivery, assessment, and continual improvement of professional academic advising services, including training new Student Success Coaches and serving as a mentor/role model to veteran Student Success Coaches and Advisors.
• Adheres to professional standards of relevant professional organizations, including but not limited to NACADA.
• Perform other related duties as needed or assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Equivalent Education/Experience

• Knowledge of retention, student transitions, or learning strategies.
• Ability to multi-task efficiently in a fast-paced environment, drive projects to completion, and act with a sense of urgency.
• Working knowledge with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, effective communicator, and empathetic listener.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, effective communicator, and empathetic listener.
• Self-starter who can prioritize caseload and provide consistent follow-up.
• Exceptional collaborative team player, who can coordinate work effectively with offices across campus to best serve TU students.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• High attention to detail, demonstrated practice of establishing effective priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong customer service with a can-do attitude and strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated advising and counseling skills preferred.

• Master's degree and at least one year of experience, or a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience, or four to five years of professional experience in a higher education setting required.
• Must have 3 - 5 years of experience in advising, student success, admissions, financial aid, career services, counseling, or student affairs office.
• Experience with academic advising, enrollment, and academic or social support for students preferred.
• Experience working with diverse college student populations including first-generation college students is a preferred.
• Experience with academic and/or social support for first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented college students is desirable required.

Special Job Dimensions:

Works with highly sensitive or confidential information and outside of typical office hours may occur.

Note: The essential job functions and associated qualifications contained in this document describe the general nature and level of the work performed. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive listing or be inclusive of all aspects of the job. The tasks and procedures involved in the performance of the essential job functions may vary from day-to-day. Major changes in areas of responsibility may occur, as directed by management, and will require revision of this job description.

About Us

The University of Tulsa is a student-centered research university that cultivates interconnected learning experiences to explore complex ideas and create new knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry. Guided by our commitment to service and inclusion, we prepare individuals to make meaningful contributions to our campus, our community, and our world.

The University endeavors to create and nurture an informed and inclusive environment in its workplace and educational programs. Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are integral parts of the University not just because they are legally mandated, but because we recognize that the present and future strength of the university is based primarily on people and their skills, experience, and potential. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, ancestry, or marital status. The University seeks to recruit, select, and promote students, faculty, and all other employees on the basis of individual merit.