The Placement Exchange Job Board

Student Success Coach

The Student Success Coach in the Center for Student Success and Retention (CSSR) supports students from enrollment through graduation by conducting proactive, data-informed outreach for navigating social, academic and administrative aspects of the college environment. The focus is connecting individually with students, connecting students with their peers, interest groups and identity cohorts, and connecting students with professors and campus resources. This position bridges academic and co-curricular boundaries to develop students’ skills, knowledge and mindsets to enhance their academic, personal, and professional success. 

The successful candidate will have opportunities to grow professionally and contribute to the evolution of the Center to meet our students’ needs. CSSR supports our members’ individual growth and potential and is committed to creating equitable and representative work environments. Research shows that women and individuals who hold underrepresented identities tend to apply only to jobs for which they believe they meet all of the qualifications. Job descriptions are aspirational; no candidate meets every criterion. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with varied identities and backgrounds, such as people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, veterans, and people who come from low-income or working-class backgrounds. These are some of the identities our students bring to college, and they are strengths on which we help students and coaches build.

Student Outreach, Advocacy and Consultation: 

• Provide proactive outreach via phone, email, SMS, video chat and office visit to students who:                    
  • have not registered for the next term or are experiencing academic or social difficulties
                                 
  • have requested a withdrawal, leave of absence or transcript for transfer
                                 
  • have left IC but have not enrolled at another college
                                 
  • have committed to attending IC but not made progress on their New Student Checklist
                                 
  • registered concerns in student feedback surveys that suggest need or desire for assistance 
                                 
  • have returned from a leave of absence and need support in their transition back to college
               
• Resolve problems by clarifying issues; research alternative solutions; escalate unresolved problems to appropriate campus partners for intervention. Follow up to ensure resolution of each issue. 
               
• Coach students individually, in small groups and workshops on skills, knowledge and mindsets proven to contribute to college success; assist in navigating college policies, procedures, and resources; help students explore values, strengths and passions and where those align with IC. 
               
• Maintain appropriate records and recommendations for students served. Share regular summaries of student outreach. Monitor student progress and coordinate services with campus partners.
               
• Consult and collaborate with deans and Academic Services Coordinators in each school.
               
• Advise Center leadership on pain points and suggest strategies to improve the student experience.

Campus Partnerships 

• Reinforce and support the success of students’ relationships with their faculty academic advisors. 
               
• Work collaboratively with units across the college to resolve student issues. 
               
• Represent the Center on campus-wide committee(s) and serve on teams with campus partners. 
               
• Participate in new student orientation, admission, yield, family and student success events and campus programs. 
               
• Provide referrals to campus resources. 
               
• Work with staff, student, and faculty consultants to develop and maintain a suite of online resources for student success and administer the Student Success and Retention web sites. 

Student Programming 

• Develop communication campaigns and strategies to enhance student engagement with success and support services, including maintenance of Center for Student Success website.  
               
• Encourage students to connect to and make meaning of campus and community engagement. 
               
• Coordinate, develop and deliver programs tied to student success and retention.

Professional Development  

• Pursue professional development and scholarly activity in the fields that encompass student success to maintain knowledge on emerging and best practices and share them with colleagues.
               
• Stay current with changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, deadlines, important dates, costs, college-wide initiatives, and transfer requirements. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a full time, hybrid position that requires occasional evening and weekend work as student’s schedules, admissions and success programs dictate (schedule flexibility available). Regular presence on campus is required; remote flexibility is available for up to 40% of time (or two days a week), negotiable.  

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree; experience working directly with college students; ability to develop authentic connections with students while maintaining appropriate boundaries; skill in communicating via text, phone, video calls and in person; positive motivation to meet performance metrics for enrolling, reenrolling and retaining our students; eager commitment to learning and exploiting new technologies; positivity and persistence in the face of resistance; commitment to diversity and experience working with underrepresented students; commitment to maintain confidentiality; excellent time management, organizational, verbal and written communication skills; desire and ability to work in a collaborative, team environment; innovative, creative and flexible.

Preferred Qualifications  

Experience with: student coaching or counseling; motivational interviewing and skill in persuading students to act in their best interests; an understanding of methods that foster cohesiveness and inclusivity among college-age populations; Banner (or other student information management systems), Slate (or other CRMs), Drupal (or other website software), Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; any student success or advising software; academically at-risk students; developmental and appreciative models of advising; working with peer educators; and ability to learn and disseminate detailed information using highly developed interpersonal skills.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply online at https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/prospective-faculty-staff,

please submit cover letter, resume and list of three professional references.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members

of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is

appreciated.

About Ithaca

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of 6,500 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. Our strategic plan, IC 20/20, positions us to offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age. We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements. We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel. Nestled in the heart of New York State's scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city ce...nter. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States. To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at ithaca.edu.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Ithaca