Academic Success Coach

Columbus State University; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus State University in Columbus, GA is seeking an Academic Success Coach. This full-time, on-site role blends coaching, academic advising, and instruction to support student success.

The Center for Academic Coaching seeks candidates with ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, or MCC) or the ability to obtain certification within 2 years, a Master’s degree in a relevant field, and at least two years of coaching/advising experience in higher education. Salary is $60,000 with full benefits.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work in-person on campus due to teaching, coaching, and advising expectations.
• ICF credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC) or willingness to complete certification within 2 years of start date.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Coaching, Psychology, Educational Leadership, or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional coaching, academic advising, and/or student services experience in a higher education setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and group coaching using ICF-aligned competencies to support students' leadership development and academic persistence.
• Advise students on academic requirements, course selection, major and career pathways, and degree completion.
• Teach credit-bearing or non-credit academic success courses and/or workshops as assigned.

Skills

Coaching

Academic advising

Instruction & facilitation

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Coaching, Psychology, Educational Leadership, or equivalent

ICF credential (ACC, PCC, MCC) or willingness to complete certification within 2 years

Job description

Academic Success Coach

Job ID: 302533

Location: Columbus State University

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Center for Academic Coaching

We are seeking dynamic and highly skilled individuals to serve as Academic Success Coaches who blend professional coaching practices with academic advising and instructional responsibilities. This role supports student success through individualized coaching, academic guidance, and facilitation of skill‑building learning experiences.

Academic Success Coaches will apply coaching methodologies, collaboratively guide students in planning their academic path, and teach targeted success‑oriented workshops/courses that build skills related to academic success, persistence, retention, and career readiness.

This is a full-time, in-person position due to the teaching and campus‑based nature of coaching and student support responsibilities. The role reports to Lead Academic Success Coach.

Significant Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Success Coaching (approximately 40-45%) - Provide 1:1 and group coaching using ICF‑aligned competencies to support students' leadership development, academic persistence, and personal growth. Partner with students to clarify goals, identify challenges, and co‑create actionable plans for academic, professional, and personal success. Use coaching techniques (active listening, reflective questioning, accountability structures, visioning, etc.) to build self‑awareness and agency. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism consistent with ICF ethical guidelines. Facilitate coaching workshops that promote skill development in areas such as growth mindset, resilience, personal success strategies, and goal attainment.
• Academic Advising (approximately 40-45%) - Advise students on academic requirements, course selection, major and career pathways, and degree completion. Co‑construct personalized academic roadmaps with students and encourage them to take increasing ownership of decisions. Track student performance and maintain proactive outreach strategies based on risk indicators (e.g., GPA, progression, withdrawal requests). Collaborate with faculty, academic departments, and campus partners to resolve barriers and support holistic student needs. Make referrals to campus resources as appropriate (career design, counseling, tutoring, financial services, etc.). Support development of academic skills including time management, study skills, and stress management.
• Teaching & Instruction (10-20%) - Teach credit‑bearing or non‑credit academic success, transition, or persistence‑oriented courses and/or workshops as assigned (in‑person or hybrid formats). Develop and deliver student success curriculum aligned with institutional learning outcomes, student retention objectives, and coaching methodology. Assess student learning outcomes and adjust instruction for continuous improvement. Maintain required instructional records including attendance, grades, and evaluations. Coordinate classroom learning with individual coaching and advising strategies to ensure an integrated student support experience.

Required Qualifications include:

• Must be able to work in‑person on campus due to teaching, coaching, and advising expectations.
• International Coaching Federation (ICF) credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC) or willingness and ability to complete certification within 2 years of start date.
• 4-year employment commitment required if the institution funds credentialing; early separation may require reimbursement of credentialing costs.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Coaching, Psychology, Educational Leadership, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional coaching, academic advising, and/or student services experience in a higher education setting.
• Strong working knowledge of student development theory, academic policies, and persistence/retention research.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills that build rapport with diverse learners.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate documentation.
• Commitment to the ethical standards of coaching and academic advising.

Preferred Qualifications include:

• Experience teaching, facilitating student workshops, or delivering structured learning experiences.
• Familiarity with Design Thinking or other career development frameworks (e.g., Designing Your Life).
• Experience coaching and/or advising historically underserved or underrepresented student populations.
• Background in developing student success curricula or retention‑focused programs.
• Knowledge of student information and advising technologies (e.g., SIS, Degree Works, CRM/TargetX, LMS).

Proposed salary: The proposed annualized salary for this position is $60,000 and includes full benefits.

If you have any questions, please contact Kenneth Gray, Hiring Manager, via email at [e-mail].

Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on‑line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on‑line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

• Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.
• Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
• Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.
• Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.
• Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.
• Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

• A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.
• Pre‑employment drug testing for positions with high‑risk responsibilities.
• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment a randomly thereafter.

*Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post‑secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will not be required to drive.
• This role is considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position will not travel.
• This position does not require security clearance.

• Position of Trust + Education