Financial Wellness Advocate

Maryland Connect

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Coppin State University, a fully accredited institution and member of the University System of Maryland, accepts applications for a Financial Wellness Advocate. Founded in 1900, Coppin is a model urban, residential liberal arts university in the northwest section of the City of Baltimore that provides academic programs in the arts and sciences, teacher education, nursing, graduate studies, and continuing education. Coppin offers 33 Bachelor’s and 11 Master’s degree programs and 1 Doctoral degree program with approximately 3000 students enrolled in day, evening, online, and weekend undergraduate and graduate courses. Coppin is a primarily commuter University with about 600 student residents. The Financial Wellness Advocate will provide proactive, student-centered guidance to support learners from their initial recruitment through degree completion. This role advances financial wellness across the university by providing advocacy, education, outreach, and personalized support that helps students navigate paying for college, reducing financial barriers, and persisting to graduation. The position also oversees institution-wide financial wellness initiatives, including programming, partnerships, data tracking, and strategic planning.

Requirements

Master's degree required, preferably in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, or Student Affairs.
Minimum three (3) years' experience.
Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management to include multi-year budgeting.
Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.
Ability to lead and supervise students and staff.
Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures as they pertain to the department and the University.
Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Ability to organize and work effectively with small and large groups.
Ability to function effectively as an Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Division member.
Ability to make decisions in crises and to adapt to differences and changes in program, colleagues, students, and community characteristics.
Must be sensitive to cultural differences within the University and community.
Maintain regular attendance and closely follows office reporting policies and procedures.
Must be flexible in terms of working after normal work hours on occasions when the job tasks require.
Travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferably in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, or Student Affairs.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary advocate for students experiencing financial challenges that may impede enrollment, retention, or completion.
Provide individualized coaching on financial aid literacy, FAFSA completion, scholarship identification, budgeting, loan management, payment plans, and emergency financial options.
Coordinate early outreach to prospective students and their families regarding financial readiness, aid processes, and affordability planning.
Partner with admissions, financial aid, student accounts, academic advisors, and Our House mentors to identify at-risk students and intervene proactively.
Support students in resolving financial aid issues, navigating verification, and understanding financial decisions.
Develop and oversee a comprehensive financial wellness curriculum (workshops, webinars, modules, peer programs).
Create targeted content for special student populations (first-generation, adult learners, transfer students, student parents, etc.).
Coordinate campus-wide events such as Financial Literacy Month, FAFSA preparation clinics, scholarship boot camps, and financial capability fairs.
Manage and train Our House mentors to be resources and referral sources.
Collaborate with external partners (banks, nonprofits, community organizations) to offer evidence based financial education.
Lead campus strategy on reducing financial barriers and improving student financial stability.
Analyze data on student financial health, aid utilization, unmet need, and related retention barriers.
Provide recommendations to senior leadership on policies that improve financial access and completion outcomes.
Serve on university committees related to enrollment, retention, student success, and affordability.
Maintain documentation, assessment reports, and program evaluation data.
Produce annual reports summarizing impact, outcomes, and trends.
Manage technology and communications supporting financial wellness initiatives.