Student Success Specialist

UNC Asheville Overview

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community. UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed.

Student Success Specialist

The Student Success Specialist provides high-touch, holistic academic support for continuing and prospective students to promote retention, persistence and degree completion. This role carries an advising caseload and works closely with students on academic planning, registration, academic probation and recovery, and student engagement. The Student Success Specialist collaborates across campus with faculty and staff to center student belonging and academic success.

This work will be guided along five key areas:

• Serves as an academic advisor for an assigned caseload, providing academic planning, degree progression guidance, and registration support
• Supports students on academic probation experiencing academic difficulty through recovery planning, progress monitoring, and coordinated outreach
• Interpret and communicate academic policies and procedures; serve as a liaison between students, student supporters, faculty, and campus partners

• Supports targeted first-year student initiatives and programming that promote academic belonging and persistence
• Collaborate with campus partners on student programming, engagement efforts, and high-impact practices (e.g., research, internships, study abroad).
• Participate in campus events to promote student engagement with the Academic Success Center
• Connecting students to campus and community resources; providing academic and non-academic support, identifying student's strengths and goals to create a personal plan of action for the completion of their respective degree program, and serving as liaison between students, faculty, and other campus partners.

• Utilizes predictive analytics, midterm progress alerts, and other data tools to identify students in need of proactive outreach
• Conducts timely, intentional outreach and develop individualized action plans that address academic and non-academic barriers
• Contributes to institutional retention and student success initiatives

• Participates in orientation programs, admissions yield events, and student success initiatives
• Serves on campus committees and working groups related to student success
• Support front desk operations and daily functions of the Academic Success Center
• Engage in ongoing professional development and continuous improvement efforts

• Helps students connect to opportunities and high impact practices-research, internship, study abroad, and others-that better prepare them to have greater success not just while here at UNCA, but beyond.

The Student Success Specialist should be prepared to work in an office that balances continuous improvement and creative thinking to offer the best possible experience and support for students, but also provides a stable set of protocols that will have been developed with shared governance and adhere to the overall vision of Academic Affairs, the University, and the System.

Typical office hours are Monday‑Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. However, the University is seeking employees to work a variety of schedules, ranging from a traditional schedule to non‑traditional such as Sunday through Thursday from 12:00pm to 9:00pm. Schedules may be altered either intermittently or on an ongoing basis to accommodate student needs. Work on nights and weekends, and additional hours are expected to meet the needs of students.

Schedules must be flexible due to specific peak times, i.e.:

• during June, August, and January student orientation
• prior to and during regular registration periods
• prior to and during the first week of the semester
• yield programming for continuing students

The Office of Academic Advising is committed to providing scheduling options that balance institutional, office, and personal needs.

Master's degree and at least two years of work experience in college student services. May also consider a Bachelor's degree and equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from…