Student Success Coach

Division of Student Affairs 

Job Description 

Position Title: Student Success Coach 

Department: Student Success Center (SSC) 

FLSA Category: Exempt 

Modality: In-person 

About the Student Success Center: 

Using wellness, student development, and culturally competent frameworks and guided by trauma-informed practices, we connect students throughout their Millikin experience and beyond by providing wrap-around personal, academic, career, and other support. 

Job Summary: All positions in Student Affairs are expected to uphold and fulfill the mission, vision, values, and traditions of Millikin University and the Division of Student Affairs; promote student excellence, success, belonging, and accountability from enrollment to program completion; and comply with policies, procedures, and applicable statutory laws and regulations. Under the guidance of the Associate Director of Student Success, the individual will help mentor, retain, and graduate students. The position serves as a resource to all students by being a supportive role model, sharing resources, and developing success plans for their major. The individual will assist students in achieving their academic goals with an emphasis on supporting the student's holistic Millikin experience. The position requires occasional evening and weekend hours to support operations and signature events and will perform additional responsibilities related to operational and mission-critical needs.  Approximate work percentages are as follows which are subject to adjustments: 

Examples of the essential responsibilities for the position include: 

• Promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sense of belonging (e.g., foster welcoming environment; participate in and ensure staff participation in appropriate training and professional development; ensure accessibility to services; promote inclusive excellence in programming and service delivery; report policy, legal, and regulatory violations; etc.). 
•  Using wellness, student development, and culturally competent frameworks and guided by trauma-informed practices, provide individualized and group based developmental advising and career coaching support to students from diverse backgrounds and ability levels such as: 
•  Developing personalized plans for improvement and monitoring student progress throughout the semester. 
• Bi-weekly/monthly check-ins with students. 
• Developing a working relationship with all college departments and faculty and staff and understanding the academic curriculum. 
• Attending some outside-of-the-classroom events for students. 
•  Assisting the Associate Director of Student Success with preparing, implementing, and evaluating the University Bridge program, EDGE. 
• Maintaining knowledge of and promoting Millikin's campus resources. 
• Serving as the formal liaison to all departments on campus, collaborating with the faculty to develop, execute, monitor, and assess academic support programming directed towards students and their unique challenges. 
• Collaborating with Student Affairs and other departments, including Student Mental and Behavioral Health, Math Center, Writing Center, Campus Life, and Office of the Registrar, and providing appropriate student referrals. 
• Utilizing student information systems/platforms to provide effective and efficient information to students, faculty, and other constituents while maintaining student confidentiality in accordance with the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act. 
•  Serving as an advocate for student success through frequent attendance at campus and community programs, events, and activities. 
• Assisting with selecting responsibilities in the absence of the BIPOC Student Success Coach. 
• Attending and serving as a leader in appropriate professional associations to enhance skills, bring and share knowledge related to student engagement and success, and improve visibility and influence of Millikin University (e.g., NASPA).   
• Collaborating and partnering with campus offices to achieve student success metrics such as retention, engagement, graduation, and placement. 
• Participating in program and service-delivery evaluation and assessment activities.  
• Serving on appropriate university or community committees, councils, and boards as recommended by the supervisor or University President. 
• Serving on a larger team of first responders for campus crises, including serving as a Student Affairs On-Call Team rotation member. 

Minimum Education and Experience   

1. Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired and  
2. Prior experience performing duties related to the position as determined by start and end dates on the résumé. Graduate Assistantships will count as .50 time. Internships and Practical experiences will count as .25 time. 

Desirable Education and Experience 

1. Master’s degree. 
2. Related experiences in a college or university setting. 
3. Experience advising student organizations. 
4. Experience facilitating, teaching, and/or developing support programs. 
5. Experience in student learning assessment or program evaluation. 
6. Experience using software or database platforms related to the position. 
7. Experience with Title IX or Student Conduct roles (e.g., intake, investigations, hearings, training, etc.). 

Required Skills and Abilities:  

Skills 

1. Communication skills: Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. 
2. Self-management skills: ability to manage time effectively, learn and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.   
3. Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc. 
4. Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.  
5. Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations.   
6. Computational skills: ability to perform basic mathematical computations to assist with financial operations and/or data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
7. Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook Calendaring, Office 365. 

Abilities 

1. Ability to adhere to work attendance requirements. 
2. Ability to model self-care and well-being for colleagues and, most importantly, students. 
3. Ability to manage emotions, function effectively, and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations. 
4. Ability to handle multiple projects, services, activities, etc. in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment. 
5. Ability to promote and achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion of multiracial/ethnic, low-income, LGBTQ+, veteran, non-traditional, online, disability, first-generation, and others. 
6. Ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, and a self-starter. 
7. Ability to work independently under limited supervision and in teams.   
8. Ability to make reasoned administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues.   
9. Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need. 
10. Ability to comply with university vehicle-use requirements (some driving may be necessary, including transporting students and staff to approved events). 

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:    

1. Preparatory knowledge: coursework, military, or work-based knowledge of, for example, facilities management, student center operations, student development theories, learning theories, organizational theories, risk management. 
2. Software/database systems: Ability to use software/databases related to student success initiatives. 
3. Student knowledge: knowledge of generational college students and the ability to design generation- and audience-specific programs, events, and services. 
4. Accountability: experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies to assessing student learning outcomes and/or evaluating programs and services. 
5. Multimedia experience: ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and develop and manage social media accounts. 
6. Reporting experience: experience with program databases or software programs used to track, monitor, and report services to students. 
7. Ability to plan and execute programs and services based on social justice, cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, and civility. 

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter (that addresses required and desired qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities), resume (with starting and ending month and year for each job), and contact information of three professional references (at least one should be supervisory) to millikin.edu/employment. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment and first day of work is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Millikin University is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups in this field are encouraged to apply. Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Millikin University is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive. Millikin offers a competitive salary and full benefit package, including eligibility for tuition waiver.