Job Description

Student Success Coach

Department: Center for Advising Retention and Student Success (CARSS)

Location: Freeport IL

Type: Full-time Staff

Pay: $20.20 per hour

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Job Summary:

The Student Success Coach will be responsible for implementing dynamic initiatives as part of the Graduation Team model designed to improve the overall matriculation retention and persistence of traditional and nontraditional students at Columbia College. The role reports within the Center for Advising Retention and Student Success (CARSS) is a one-stop shop that provides support to students throughout their college experience including assistance in admissions registration financial aid and academics. These responsibilities will include student success coaching financial coaching program development and contacting students to resolve enrollment barriers and address success concerns. The Student Success Coach will assist the CARSS team in the implementation of processes technology and communications with students faculty and staff on student admission persistence retention and completion initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Perform job duties in accordance with Columbia Colleges vision mission and values and contributes to the development of the Enrollment Management and Marketing division.
• Provide personalized coaching to students helping them develop strategies for academic success financial planning and time management.
• Assist students in navigating the financial aid process identifying eligible aid opportunities and developing budgeting strategies.
• Deliver appreciative model interventions for students regarding academic and financial aid concerns that may impact student matriculation and retention.
• Stay current on academic financial and support services and policies to provide students with the most accurate information.
• Deliver proactive interventions for students facing academic or financial challenges that may impact their matriculation and retention.
• Help organize and implement retention initiatives/programming to maintain student enrollment and engagement.
• Follow established brand guidelines to support consistency in messaging and presentation.
• Collaborate with Leadership to recommending schedule adjustments to support student success and retention.
• Monitor student progress identify at-risk students and implement targeted support strategies to foster academic success.
• Maintain accurate student records advising notes and documentation in compliance with institutional policies.
• Participate in First Semester Registration team efforts providing support for incoming students to encourage a smooth transition to college.
• Encourages persistence by fostering a growth mindset and resilience.
• Ensure students are aware of available Columbia College student services including military & veteran support student accessibility resources tutoring and writing assistance career development and support for accommodations.
• Advise students on available veteran benefits including eligibility application processes and financial aid options.
• Maintain caseload management responsibilities ensuring that assigned Columbia College students receive strong support in enrollment to achieve goals and graduation. This position has 100% coaching caseload.
• Provide mentorship to unassigned students seeking assistance by helping facilitate their student experience while collaborating with assigned coaches and advisors.
• Respond to in-person phone and email inquiries in an effective timely and customer-focused manner providing accurate information and appropriate referrals to other offices/staff as needed.
• Assist with events including recruitment career and education fairs commencement and student orientation.
• Ensure responsible use of financial resources.
• Collaborate in call campaigns and general outreach across the Enrollment Management & Marketing Division that affect the student experience during the admissions process through graduation.
• Keep current on academic financial and support services and policies in order to provide the most accurate information to students.
• Teach students about available resources through Columbia College such as technology student services and extracurricular opportunities.
• Understands and adheres to college policies ensuring compliance with institutional guidelines and professional standards.
• Actively seeks to understand not only our role in the college but of other departments on campus so we can better serve students.
• Demonstrate professionalism and confidentiality at all times
• Successfully complete all Human Resources Technology Services and other annual training as needed.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned.

Required Core Competencies and Professional Experience:

• Ability to fluently read write and understand the English language.
• Proficiency with the following but not limited to: active listening; speaking; writing; critical thinking; judgment and decision making; monitoring; reading comprehension; time management; coordination; and management of personnel resources.
• Proficiency for using a variety of computer and technology-related software and equipment including Microsoft Office products and database systems.
• Proficiency in using web-based technologies including database systems.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with or without direct supervision.
• Excellent communication interpersonal customer service and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to student success retention and degree completion through proactive advising and support strategies.
• Navigates complex student concerns policy interpretations and operational challenges with as solution-focused approach.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events student support and outreach initiatives.
• Ability to foster relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks meet deadlines and prioritize responsibilities effectively.

Preferred Core Competencies and Professional Experience:

• Familiarity with student information systems.
• Experience with recruitment and retention.
• Experience with appreciative advising intrusive advising or other student success coach models
• Knowledge of financial aid registration or other enrollment-related student services
• Experience working with varied student populations including military students first generation students transfer students adult learners and graduate students.
• Previous experience in military-affiliated student support

Required Level of Education: Bachelors Degree

Special Requirements (if any):

• Must meet and maintain requirements as an approved driver for Columbia College.
• Valid US State Driver License.
• Some evening and weekend work required.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals seeking accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department without delay. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time talk and hear. The employee is required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop kneel or crawl. Employee must be able to type on a computer keyboard and use a computer monitor on a regular basis.

Work Conditions: The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions; however possible exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety may occur while operating certain equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild.

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive of every duty and responsibility required by the employee in the position.

The offer of employment and assignment to duties is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check. The information may include but is not limited to academic residential achievement performance attendance disciplinary employment history credit history driving history and criminal history of public record.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Columbia College is an equal opportunity employer.

Columbia College is committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for all regardless of race color national origin gender religion sexual orientation age or disability. The college maintains a safe place for open discourse and overall fosters a sense of community that welcomes everyone.

In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) the Department of Campus Safety for Columbia College has provided the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and crime statistics for the main campus and venues nationwide.

Columbia College is required to distribute this information to all current and prospective employees and students. Please follow the link below for the full report or contact Human Resources at for a printed copy.

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