Veteran Success Coach

(50%): Advising

• →Track Veteran students on campus from first contact to post graduation outcomes.
• →Advise prospective military-connected students on navigating the application process.
• →Verify eligibility for application fee waivers.
• →Provide direct, one-on-one academic, personal, and career coaching to veteran students.
• →Conduct systematic, proactive outreach to under-identified and at-risk veteran students—including those not using GI Bill benefits—to foster a sense of belonging and improve persistence.
• →Assist students with goal setting, time management, academic planning, study strategies, and navigating degree requirements.
• →Serve as a primary resource for military-affiliated students, providing guidance on certification. processes, reporting requirements, and benefit utilization. 
• →Conduct breakout sessions during orientation and attend campus events promoting the office.

(%30): Collaboration

• →Act as a direct liaison between veterans and university partner offices, including Financial Aid, University Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO), and Admissions.
• →Eliminate administrative silos by executing "warm handoffs" that ensure veterans follow through on referrals and complete necessary processes.
• →Advocate on behalf of student veterans regarding military training transfer credit evaluations, classroom accommodations, and navigating university policies.
• →Assist with collaborative learning presentations

(15%) Data collection and analysis

• →Maintain accurate, confidential student interaction logs and record student utilization data.
• →Track cohort metrics—including student check-ins, retention rates, persistence, and graduation outcomes—to monitor progress against grant goals.
• →Leverage data-driven insights and student feedback to make real-time adjustments and continuously improve service delivery.

(5%) School Certifying Official

• →Certify student enrollment for military educational benefits, including verifying enrollment, monitoring academic progress and attendance, auditing records, and ensuring accurate reporting aligned with regulatory requirements. 

• This is a restricted, grant-funded position with funding currently available for three-years. Continued employment is dependent upon availability of funding.
• VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU is proud to be a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. In addition, VCU offers enhanced leave benefits to veterans.
• Some travel for conferences and local partnerships is required – Trips with total mileage beyond 25 miles will be reimbursed, appropriate hotel and per diem expenses will also be provided.
• This is a 100% in-person position at the Monroe Park Campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• Background in advising students as they prepare for school admissions; knowledge of requirements/processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to advocate on the student’s behalf with both faculty staff and parents.
• Experience working with the military-affiliated population and knowledge of resources available to the population.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• Computer skills, including Microsoft office, student information systems, analytics platforms, and Google Suite.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or related field is required.
• Understanding of benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Four (4) years of experience providing direct service to Veterans with at least one (1) year of experience navigating VA benefits and resources.
• Experience with Banner or other student information systems.
• Experience inducing change through data-driven insights.
• Previous experience as an SCO filing VA education benefits.

Salary Range: Up to $45,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 35211N - Student Advisor SS 1

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Bryan Sandford
Contact Email: sandfordb@vcu.edu

Posting Opens: 11/9/2026

Posting Closes: 11/16/2026 at 11:55PM

Advertised: 09 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 16 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend