Academic Success Coach​/Orientation Coordinator

Academic Success Coach / Orientation Coordinator

The position of the Academic Success Coach/Orientation Coordinator assists students in learning how to make informed decisions about academic matters including advisement for programs, admission, registration, and related topic areas while maintaining appropriate records; and
2) proactively engages undergraduate students to provide guidance and support for their personal and professional goals. Additionally, the position will support the university’s retention, progression, and graduation rates by providing leadership for student orientation programming and having administrative oversight for initiatives and activities designed to facilitate experiences that foster a sense of belonging for first-year students (freshmen and transfers) and families.

Serve as a primary advisor, assisting students with degree audits/plans of study, course scheduling, and course registration for undeclared students and students pursuing Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.

• Provides systematic and frequent coaching on an individual and group basis related to academic success, personal and/or professional development, career/major exploration activities, learning strategies and study skills specific to course materials, resume writing best practices, interview strategies, application strategies, and job search skills using computer guidance systems to improve student success in accordance with the University mission. Assists students in developing self-efficacy and motivates students to practice self-regulation in taking ownership of their academic success.
• Maintain knowledge of current academic and institutional policies and procedures unique to the institution, and educate and assist students in complying with such items including but not limited to Graduation Requirements, Academic Standards of Progress, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, Academic Bankruptcies, Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, Course Sequencing, Admissions Requirements, New Programs, etc.
• Foster relationships with institutional faculty and staff to provide appropriate and accurate academic plans and referrals for students working with the Student Success Center. Refers students to appropriate academic, personnel, and support resources and collaborates with others to monitor and accelerate the academic progress of the students referred.
• Monitors and accurately documents progress of students in caseload with check-ins, scheduled meetings or proactive outreach and communication, responding to students’ questions, concerns and needs.
• Assists with outreach to and follow-up with students who are on academic probation or who have been referred through the MSSU early alert online system referred to as Lion Alert.
• In consultation with the Registrar’s Office and/or Transfer Guide, unofficially evaluate and determine the transferability of credits.
• Present outreach programming and workshops to students in classroom settings, residence halls, and student organizations.
• Teaches 2 credit hours per academic year (fall, spring, summer), if needed, in the University Experience Curriculum.
• Assists with working events hosted by the Student Success Center. Occasional nights/weekends are expected with event management.
• Assists with creating and/or maintaining student resources (guides, handouts, manuals, etc.) published by the Student Success Center.
• Maintain competency and professional currency through self-directed professional reading, professional association memberships, attendance to conferences, workshops, institutional, and departmental professional development programs.
• Participate in departmental assessment processes.
• Contributes to the overall success of the Institution’s mission by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Develop, coordinate, implement, manage, and promote the University's new student orientation programming (including but not limited to Learning Communities, Welcome Week, Summer Bridge, Southern Welcome & Southern Kick-Offs, Convocation) to include efforts designed to serve special student populations (1st gen,…