College Success Coach

Position Summary

The College Success Coach provides a variety of coaching and advisory services. Assists students with decision-making processes relating to academic, personal and professional goal achievement. Serves as a student advocate and collaborates with college stakeholders to remove barriers, increase options and support individual student success.

Duties/Responsibilities 

Use a strategic and consultative coaching approach, asking high-impact questions to understand students’ primary academic or personal challenges, identify root causes, co-create solutions, and implement individualized action plans designed to improve performance and help students achieve short- and long-term academic, personal, and professional goals.

Provide advising, registration guidance, and individualized assistance to assigned students from admission through graduation, which may include supporting students throughout a four-year period.

Maintain familiarity with relevant academic policies and procedures and provide students with a clear understanding of required course sequences, prerequisites, internships, and other educational and career opportunities.

Advise, counsel, and educate students about career resources, job search platforms, and graduate school application strategies.

Monitor student academic progress and assist students with information regarding financial aid, scholarship and grant eligibility, financial aid appeals, and account holds.

Assist students with general information and serve as a student liaison to the University by helping students navigate USI’s campus and resources, understand University policies and procedures, and connect with faculty, their success networks, support services, and college and community resources.

Direct efforts to serve and track special populations supported through the Center for Exploring Majors (CEM), including but not limited to 21st Century Scholars, students on academic probation, or students who have been dismissed. This includes coordinating coaching meetings with students, supporting and coordinating student peer mentors, maintaining student records and data, updating program resource materials, and providing data and information for the annual program evaluation.

Assess individual student needs, make appropriate referrals to campus services and resources, and assist students in establishing realistic and attainable academic goals through thoughtful educational planning.

Plan, oversee, and execute the Pre-Screagle Summer Institute program with support from the Director of Campus Access Programs.

Prepare, develop, and present information related to academic coaching practices and student success through instructional materials, classroom presentations, workshops, and activities.

Collaborate with team members, faculty, Student Affairs, academic support services, and other University departments to develop, modify, and support student success initiatives.

Actively participate in professional development opportunities and stay current on emerging practices and trends related to equity and inclusion, academic coaching, academic success skills, learning support, and student success.

Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Bachelor’s degree in related field of study.

One year of experience working directly with students in an educational setting or related experience; or an equivalent combination of certification, education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Knowledge of advising and counseling practices as well as university policies and procedures.

Knowledge of internal and external customer service principles and practices.

Knowledge of principles and methods for promoting programs and services.

Knowledge and application of various instructional methodologies.

Skill in analyzing data and drawing conclusions.

Skill in effective communication (both written and oral).

Skill in organization, coordination and management.

Skill in public speaking.

Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

Three years of experience working directly with students in an educational setting or related experience.

Functional Requirements

Remaining in a stationary position at a desk or workstation for extended periods of time for the majority of assigned duties.

Frequent physical movement during some events to oversee activities, to make presentations, and to interact with attendees.

Effective problem solving and sustained high level of accuracy while meeting deadlines and achieving critical outcomes, even under demanding conditions such as multiple priorities and short-notice deadlines.

The presentation of a consistently professional demeanor at all times, even in difficult, negative or frustrating situations such as when handling complaints from students, parents/guardians, staff, faculty, or members of the community.

The application of effective diplomatic and interpersonal communication skills when mediating conflicts between competing interests, some of whom may at times express strong emotions such as anger.

Ability to use computers and computer systems (hardware and software) to set up functions, to enter data, to retrieve and process information and to create documents.

Ability to retrieve information from written documents and from computer-generated reports.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI          

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 7% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
• Accrue up to 10 paid vacation days per fiscal year – accrual increases after 4, 7, and 11 years of service

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the Associate Director of Human Resources, Constance Hermann, at cjhermann1@usi.edu or (812) 461-5363. Contacting the Associate Director of Human Resources is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities