Student Success Advisor

University of Western States • Portland, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Success Advisor / Accommodations Coordinator supports the UWS mission by promoting student success. Under the direction of the Director of Student Success and in collaboration with university personnel, the position provides student success advising and oversees Testing Center operations, including scheduling and administering examinations. The position serves as a key resource for students seeking accommodations, academic skills coaching, and other student support services. The position is assigned to a caseload of students, which may include students enrolled in on-campus, online, and hybrid programs. The position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment, solve complex problems, and effectively apply university policies, procedures, and student support practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• At least two years of experience in an advising or student support role in a higher education setting
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Intermediate skill level with database management and report preparation and analysis
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills
• Experience with student information systems or other enterprise systems
• Demonstrated ability to build strong student relationships with a diverse student population
• Demonstrated high level discretion and sound judgement with confidential information
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of student support and how it impacts retention and student success
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new conditions and assignments
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands, set priorities and provide timely responses to urgent issues
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a high-performing team and exercise a high degree of professionalism

Nice To Haves

• Degree or certificate in Disability Services in Higher Education
• Experience working with students with disabilities in a higher education, educational, or student services setting
• Experience reviewing accommodation requests, implementing accommodations, or supporting accommodation-related services
• Experience providing academic skills coaching
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and disability-related best practices in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Assist with onboarding and orientation for new students, including account access, IT requests, student life, and other student success resources.
• Provide advising and support to students regarding ongoing enrollment, registration, program planning, university policies and procedures, and available student resources. Refer students to academic leadership or faculty advisors for specific career and program planning.
• Provide advising and support to students who are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Connect students with applicable resources, support services, and strategies for academic improvement.
• Manage temporary withdrawal inquiries, track students who are temporarily withdrawn, and support students returning from temporary withdrawal.
• Serve as a point of contact for students seeking assistance with university services, policies, procedures, and available support resources. Provide direct support to help students navigate university processes and connect with appropriate departments and services.
• Promote and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and student-centered environment. Monitor student concerns and provide follow-up communication to support student persistence and success.
• Serve on campus committees and university workgroups as assigned.
• Serve as the primary resource for students seeking disability-related accommodations and accessibility services. Review accommodation requests and supporting documentation, conduct intake meetings, evaluate student needs, and determine and implement appropriate accommodations, including temporary accommodations when warranted by documented circumstances.
• Maintain confidential student records and documentation in accordance with applicable regulations and university policies. Communicate accommodation information to faculty, instructors, and other relevant personnel as appropriate. Respond to questions and concerns related to the implementation of approved accommodations and provide faculty and instructors with resources, information, and guidance regarding accommodations and related support services. Consult with faculty, staff, and university leadership on accommodation-related matters.
• Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, applicable regulations, and university policies and procedures related to disability accommodations and accessibility services. Maintain current knowledge of disability-related laws, regulations, accessibility standards, and best practices through ongoing training and professional development.
• Assess student needs and identify appropriate support strategies to promote academic success, including accessibility accommodations, academic skills coaching, and other university resources. Exercise professional judgment to determine and provide the most appropriate support or intervention based on the student's circumstances and needs.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and assess the Academic Skills Coaching program to support student success, persistence, and academic achievement.
• Provide individualized academic skills coaching to students and advisees, including support with time management, study strategies, organization, test-taking skills, goal setting, and other academic success competencies. Connect students with university resources and services as appropriate.
• Coordinate Testing Center scheduling and testing logistics, including the implementation of approved testing accommodations.
• Proctor examinations, monitor testing sessions, and ensure compliance with testing procedures, approved accommodations, and academic integrity standards.
• Supervise and support Accessibility Assistants, including coordinating work assignments, providing training and guidance, and reviewing schedules and timesheets as appropriate.
• Participate in ongoing cross-training to support backup functions and service continuity across Student Success operations.
• Collaborate with Student Success and related service area personnel, to support service delivery and provide coverage during staff absences, periods of increased demand, and other operational needs.
• Support university initiatives, operational needs, and student success efforts by collaborating with university departments and personnel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including employer sponsored health, dental and vision insurance plan options.
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 10% match after one year.
• Tuition waiver eligibility for UWS academic programs after one year of employment.
• Free and reduced cost care in the campus health center for employees and their immediate family members.
• Paid vacation, sick, wellness time and holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level