Academic Coach

University of Wisconsin-River Falls; Town of River Falls (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-River Falls is seeking an Academic Coach within the TRIO Student Support Services to mentor approximately 70 scholars, monitor progress, and coordinate academic success activities. You will maintain participant records and support college readiness, financial literacy, career exploration, and graduate school planning.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in education, social work, or a related field, strong communication and organizational skills, and experience working

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Communications or a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Evidence of significant experience working with students at academic risk, low-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.
• Experience planning and facilitating events or workshops.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an academic advisor and mentor a caseload of approximately 70 SSS participants.
• Plan and implement courses, workshops, academic and social programming, panel discussions, program orientations, financial literacy, student development, educational and career opportunities.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze participant data to support institutional reporting and assist the Program Director with annual performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Serve on relevant university-wide committees and build partnerships across campus.
• Supervise and mentor SSS Student workers.
• Engage in professional development related to the role by attending conferences and training as required.
• Adhere to plan of operation, curriculum, process policy, program procedures, and related federal regulations.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Student mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Communications or a related field

Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field

Tools

MS Office

Navigate

PeopleSoft

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title

Academic Coach

Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Retention Specialist

Job Duties

POSITION SUMMARY:

The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Academic Coach helps program participants develop the skills necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree. The SSS advisor maintains a caseload of assigned participants for individual academic guidance. Guidance is offered through consistent monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on participants’ academic progress, intervening with appropriate resources, and referring to appropriate on- and off-campus support services as needed. The SSS academic coach develops, implements, and supports the daily delivery of services to participants and is responsible for maintaining assigned participant records. The position assists with planning, organizing, implementing, and coordinating academic success courses or monthly events/ workshops related to financial literacy, career exploration and development, graduate school, and more. Additionally, this academic coach ensures participants meet SSS grant requirements of active involvement in the program. They will maintain accurate database records, participant data collection and synthesis, and contribute to regular program reports on student outcomes. This position reports to the Project Director for SSS and is responsible for supporting and coaching SSS scholars to learn and practice academic skills to succeed and graduate from UW-River Falls. The successful candidate will actively engage with SSS scholars and campus partners to ensure high-impact practices are woven into SSS programming and events.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an academic advisor and provide mentoring, proactive advising, and overall support to a caseload of approximately 70 SSS participants. Monitor, plan, and facilitate student success plans and academic progress
• Plan and implement courses, workshops, academic and social programming, panel discussions, program orientations, financial literacy, student development, educational and career opportunities
• Collect, maintain, and analyze participant data to support institutional reporting and assist the Program Director with Annual Performance Reports to the U.S. Department of Education
• Serve on relevant university-wide committee(s) and build partnerships across campus
• Supervise and mentor SSS Student workers
• Engage in professional development related to the role of Academic Advisor by attending state, regional, or national conferences and training as required

Required Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Communications or a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Evidence of significant experience working with students at academic risk, limited-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.
• Experience planning and facilitating events or workshops.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.
• Significant experience in student assessment and creation of individualized academic plans in support of academic achievement.
• At least two years of work experience in an educational setting.
• Experience in data analysis, specifically in student success metrics and outcomes.
• Knowledge of and experience with MS suites products, Navigate, PeopleSoft platforms, as well as familiarity with database management, spreadsheets, and forms generation.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Maintains accurate student records including contact logs, case notes, and files
• May assist with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and/or provide financial aid/scholarship information
• Provides referrals to appropriate campus resources
• Advocates for campus-wide retention initiatives
• Makes recommendations to improve retention efforts
• Communicates, assists, and monitors progress of students
• Monitors, plans, and facilitates student academic progress, student programming, and success plans
• Adheres to the established plan of operation, curriculum, process policy, program procedures, and all other related federal regulations
• Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and help identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and transfer strategies

Department

Student Support Services

Inquiries Should Be Addressed To

Jessica Mularky

Search Chair

[e-mail]

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before November 18, 2026.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

Title IX Notice

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at [e-mail]; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix.

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy.

Reasonable Accommodations

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact [e-mail] or 715-425-3518.

Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.