Academic Success Coach / Academic Recovery Coordinator

Missouri Southern State University•Joplin, MO

About The Position

The Academic Success Coach / Academic Recovery Coordinator helps students make informed decisions about academic matters, including program advisement, admission, registration, and related topics, while maintaining appropriate records. The position proactively guides undergraduate students toward their personal and professional goals and coordinates the Academic Recovery program for freshmen and students admitted on academic probation. It also establishes academic recovery programming for non-freshmen students on probation. As a success coach, the role advises undeclared students and students pursuing Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees on degree audits, plans of study, course schedules, and registration. It provides individual and group coaching on academic success, personal and professional development, career and major exploration, learning strategies, study skills, resumes, interviews, applications, and job searches. The coach helps students build self-efficacy and take ownership of their academic progress, explains institutional academic policies, coordinates referrals and outreach, documents student progress, and presents workshops and other programming. The coordinator organizes and facilitates Academic Recovery programming, serves on related committees, prepares reports, processes holds, manages communications and training, provides secondary advising and coaching as needed, and develops a recovery system for non-freshmen on probation. The position works with University offices and constituents, supports program assessment and funding exploration, and participates in departmental and campus activities. Teaching two credit hours per academic year in the University Experience Curriculum may be required. Occasional evening and weekend work is expected for event management.

Requirements

Master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.) from an accredited college or university; a master’s degree in progress may be considered, with the expectation of completion within two years.
Strong computing skills and knowledge of relevant technologies, including learning and management systems and academic support and administrative systems.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate as part of a team and work independently, manage workload, and remain organized and flexible.
Ability to present information effectively to administrators, faculty, staff, regulators, students, public groups, and boards of regents.
Ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets to produce meaningful reports.
Ability to manage learning management systems such as Blackboard Ultra.
Ability to engage with individuals of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
Ability to use office equipment, computers, data-entry and word-processing tools, spreadsheets, and technical applications including Banner, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), and web-based applications.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents, and respond to inquiries or complaints from students, employees, faculty, regulators, and community members.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and protect work-related information, including employee information.
Ability to make ethical decisions in the best interests of students and the University.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in student affairs, counseling, student personnel, higher education administration or leadership, education, educational psychology, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented atmosphere.
Experience providing academic and/or career support to students in a college-level setting.

Responsibilities

Advise undeclared students and students pursuing Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees on degree audits, plans of study, course scheduling, and registration.
Provide individual and group coaching on academic success, personal and professional development, career and major exploration, learning strategies, course-specific study skills, resume writing, interview strategies, application strategies, and job searching.
Help students develop self-efficacy, self-regulation, and ownership of their academic success.
Maintain knowledge of academic and institutional policies and help students understand and comply with them, including graduation requirements, academic standards, probation and suspension, academic bankruptcy, prerequisites, corequisites, course sequencing, admissions requirements, and new programs.
Build relationships with faculty and staff to support accurate academic plans and appropriate referrals.
Refer students to academic, personnel, and support resources and collaborate with others to monitor and accelerate their progress.
Monitor and document caseload students’ progress through check-ins, scheduled meetings, outreach, and communications; respond to students’ questions and needs.
Conduct outreach and follow-up with students on academic probation and students referred through the Lion Alert early-alert system.
Consult with the Registrar’s Office and/or Transfer Guide to unofficially evaluate credit transferability.
Present student outreach programming and workshops in classrooms, residence halls, and student organizations.
Teach two credit hours per academic year in the University Experience Curriculum, if needed.
Assist with Student Success Center events, including occasional evening or weekend event management.
Create and maintain Student Success Center resources such as guides, handouts, and manuals.
Maintain professional competency and currency through reading, association memberships, conferences, workshops, and professional development.
Participate in departmental assessment and perform other duties that contribute to the institution’s mission.
Coordinate the Academic Recovery program for freshmen on academic probation and students admitted on probation; serve on related committees, organize and facilitate program content, run reports, process holds, and manage communications and training.
Provide secondary advising and academic coaching to Academic Recovery students when needed.
Establish, implement, and grow an academic recovery system for non-freshmen on academic probation.
Maintain working relationships across the University, especially with Admissions, Financial Aid, and Academic Leadership.
Provide ongoing training to constituents involved in developing and implementing programming.
Identify and explore potential grant funding for program enhancement.
Gather and disseminate program assessment data and reports.
Serve on campus committees as requested.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and ethical standards.
Make recommendations that impact the budget.