Student Success Coordinator - Veterans Specialist

Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary•Charlotte, NC

13d

About The Position

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, evangelical graduate school committed to equipping Christian leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically. With nearly 1,400 students across campuses in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and online, Gordon-Conwell’s student body represents more than eighty-five denominations and fifty countries. The seminary offers master’s and doctoral programs—delivered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—that combine academic excellence, spiritual formation, and a deep commitment to Scripture. Its 12,000 alumni serve Christ through ministry in the church, the academy, and the workplace. Gordon-Conwell is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the New England Commission of Higher Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Position Summary: Under the primary direction of the Director of Student Success, serves as the primary SCO (School Certifying Official). Following Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Department of Defense guidelines, this role is responsible for coordinating all procedures required for the processing of military education benefits: VA and TA (federal and state Tuition Assistance), DoD communication, enrollment certification and invoicing, tracking, reporting, compliance survey preparation, catalog reviews, and general assistance to student veterans and service members for all campuses and programs. Additionally, this role is responsible for providing oversight and care for students. The individual works to provide timely, effective, and student-focused services, advocacy, and care.

Requirements

Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness: Must have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to communicate in a manner that allows information to flow freely and smoothly in order to perform job responsibilities in a timely fashion. Must be sensitive to the varied needs of a diverse student population, have the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, and be capable of functioning effectively within a student-centered, cooperative, decision-making environment.
Organizational Skills: Must be a self-starter, highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of using time efficiently and effectively and prioritizing tasks and projects.
Knowledge: Must be willing to acquire and maintain a sound working knowledge of academic programs, seminary and registration policies, VA and Department of Defense education benefit programs, policies and guidelines; complete required initial and annual SCO online training; consistently strive to improve service to veterans and service-member students at the seminary. Must have experience in use of personal computers and ability to use the SONIS database system, VA’s Enrollment Manager certification and invoicing platform, and DoD systems as needed.
Discernment: Must be willing to work through complex certification processes when certifying students from different campuses, programs, and course types. Must show patience in finding solutions with the VA and DoD as problems arise.
Cultural Intelligence: Commitment to collegiality, diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and serve in a team environment that requires collegiality and regular collaboration across matrixed, multi-campus environment.
Technical Knowledge: Basic research skills and the ability to leverage technology is required. Required competency with Microsoft Office, prioritizing Word and Excel. The ability to use web conferencing software (e.g., Zoom) preferred.
Clear understanding of the mission of the Seminary and willingness to abide by the Statement of Faith and Community Life Statement of GCTS.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Previous work experience in a registration or student success office environment preferred.
Proficiency in SONIS database, VA’s Enrollment Manager, VR&E’s Tungsten Network, and DoD systems (as needed)

Responsibilities

Communication: serves as primary contact for prospective and matriculated students regarding use of Veterans’ and DoD tuition assistance benefits towards educational costs. Provides clear guidance regarding how to apply for benefits, general VA and DoD guidelines, and basic advising. Provides onboarding for new students, tracks student progress in their respective degree program and proactively reaches out to current students who haven’t registered for upcoming terms. Offers solutions to problems where needed, advocates for students with administration and provides advising. Acts as a liaison between Student Success and other departments for VA and DoD students and processes. (30%)
Compliance: Ensures seminary is in compliance with VA and DoD regulations (30%).
Assists military, veteran, and dependent students in applying for education benefits.
Creates, maintains, audits of student files for state and federal accountability purposes.
Conducts routine audits of student schedules and transcripts against degree requirements.
Ensures students obtain appropriate academic advising for program completion.
Periodically consults registrars for academic probation information and follows VA procedure for reporting and appropriate follow-up with students.
Regularly reviews seminary’s policies and procedures, confirming Academic Catalogs and Student Handbooks and other printed materials meet VA requirements and guidelines.
Acts as primary contact with ELRs and SAAs and submits all degree program changes and updates to ensure programs are approved for certification.
Coordinates all preparation for compliance surveys, catalog reviews, and follow-up, including ongoing compliance with VA’s 85/15 Rule and Principles of Excellence.
Certification: Certifies enrollments for all veterans and service members in compliance with the Department of Veterans Affairs and DoD Tuition Assistance programs each semester for each campus and program (30%).
Reports enrollment certification data and invoices on VA’s Enrollment Manager platform, the VR&E (Veteran Readiness & Employment) platform on Tungsten, Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance platforms and other forms as needed.
Reports when enrollment changes occur, reconciling these reports with student academic and financial accounts.
Communicates with veterans and service members prior to each semester to encourage early registration and certification.
Regularly reviews student enrollments for course schedule changes and amends or adjusts certifications as needed.
Works with student accounts to obtain accurate tuition and fee statements to confirm over- or underpayments by VA or DoD.
Reports grades on Tuition Assistance platforms.
Maintains school accounts on TA platforms, updating programs, tuition costs, semester dates, etc.
Website Maintenance: Works with the Registration, Financial Services, DMIN, and Communications offices to ensure website material for VA and Service member students is accurate and regularly updated. (5%)
Student Success Team Support: Provides support to the Student Success team at yearly events such as New Student Orientation and Commencement. (5%)
Performs other duties as necessary.