ADVANCE Academic Coach

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University invites applications for the ADVANCE Academic Coach, a hybrid role supporting NOVA transfer students and GMU, with campuses in Loudoun and Annandale. The position provides holistic advising and tailored pathways to help students complete degrees.

Responsibilities include academic advising, degree planning, progress monitoring, and referrals, plus data documentation in CRM, Banner, and SIS. Travel between campuses is required to support students across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Experience in higher education.
• Experience serving diverse student populations.
• Knowledge of academic advising and student support services in higher education.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse student populations, including first-generation, veteran, adult, and underrepresented students.
• Ability to interpret and apply academic policies, degree requirements, and course prerequisites.
• Willingness to travel to GMU campuses and NOVA locations.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic advising and success coaching to support NOVA students in preparation for matriculation to GMU.
• Support NOVA students exploring transfer options to GMU in alignment with the ADVANCE mission.
• Support retention efforts through monitoring progress, outreach, and interventions.
• Execute holistic student support services for the ADVANCE program.
• Guide students through NOVA and GMU resources to inform degree progression.
• Provide information and referrals to remove barriers affecting enrollment and success.

Skills

Higher education experience

Advising knowledge

Student support

Communication skills

Diversity experience

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Banner SIS

CRM software

Job description

Department: Division of Enrollment Management

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Hybrid Eligible

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

The Division for Enrollment Management, as part of the Office ofthe Provost at George Mason University, supports studentrecruitment, retention, and success. We develop and implementstrategic enrollment management plans, create and facilitateprocesses, and inform policies that guide students through theiracademic journey from recruitment to post-matriculation. Driven bya commitment to transparent, data-informed decision-making, theDivision advances institutional enrollment goals throughcollaboration, innovation, and a student-centered approach.

The Office of Admissions facilitates the recruitment and enrollmentof freshmen, transfer, graduate, and non-degree students inalignment with the University's strategic plan, ensuring a diverseand successful student body that contributes to the institution'sexcellence and global impact.

About the Position:

ADVANCE is an exciting dual-admission transfer partnership launchedin 2018 between Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) andGeorge Mason University that gives participating students targeted,personalized support to complete their bachelor’s degrees in atimely manner and save money. Students also benefit from tailoredcoaching, aligned Academic Pathways, seamless credit transfer, andaccess to George Mason’s facilities and student life.

The ADVANCE Academic Coach provides multiple layers of holisticsupport for students pursuing higher education. Guides andencourages the growth and development of each student’s knowledge,skills, attitudes, and beliefs about their ability to succeed inhigher education as well as within their chosen field. Discussesall aspects of a student’s life that impact their academicperformance.

This is a hybrid position. We are hiring for two positions. Bothpositions will support students at George Mason University, withone position based at the Loudoun campus and the other positionbased at the Annandale campus. While the Academic Coach positionserves both NOVA and George Mason, the position is formally housedwithin the Division for Enrollment Management at George MasonUniversity.

Responsibilities:

• Provides academic advising and success coaching to supportstudents throughout their enrollment at Northern Virginia CommunityCollege in preparation for and with their matriculation to GeorgeMason University;
• Supports Northern Virginia Community College students who areexploring their options for transfer to George Mason University insupport of the ADVANCE mission;
• Supports student retention-related efforts and initiatives thatinclude meeting with students, monitoring student progress andperformance, identifying areas of concern, conducting proactiveoutreach, and implementing appropriate interventions that supportstudent enrollment, persistence, and completion;
• Supports the execution of holistic student support services forthe ADVANCE program;
• Guides students navigating their Northern Virginia CommunityCollege experience into and through the ADVANCE program andmaximizes the opportunities available through theirparticipation;
• Supports students in their exploration of academic and careergoals, by utilizing Northern Virginia Community College and GeorgeMason University resources, policies, and pathways to help themmake informed decisions and progression towards their degrees;and
• Provides appropriate, accurate, and timely information andreferrals for students by identifying barriers and developingstrategies to overcome those challenges.

Leveraging Student Systems & Data:

• Utilizes student systems, dashboards, reports, and data to makeinformed decisions that support student access and success;and
• Documents all appointments and communications in the customerrelationship management (CRM) software, Banner, student informationsystem (SIS), and other systems as appropriate.

Outreach, Engagement, & Relationship Building:

• Represents ADVANCE at program events both on-and-off campus andvirtually;
• Develops, conducts, and participates in multimodal outreach,events, and special initiatives that support program goals;
• Builds and enhances relationships with George Mason Universityand Northern Virginia Community College stakeholders; and
• Provides outstanding service to prospective and currentstudents, and George Mason University and Northern VirginiaCommunity College stakeholders.

Training & Professional Development:

• Completes foundational coaching training and remains current onADVANCE program updates, NOVA and George Mason University policies,procedures, resources, academic processes, and student supportinitiatives;
• Participates in ongoing professional development opportunities;and
• Engages in coaching development activities, including, but notlimited to, appointment observations, feedback sessions, and otheractivities that support effective practice.

Additional Duties:

• Assists with program efforts as needed to support the overallmission of ADVANCE;
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned; and
• Efficiently and conscientiously performs specific tasks asdirected.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or the equivalentcombination of education and experience;
• Experience in higher education;
• Experience serving and supporting diverse studentpopulations;
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising, student successpractices, and/or student support services in highereducation;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills;
• Demonstrated student and customer service skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse studentpopulations, including, but not limited to, first-generation,veteran, adult, low-income, and underrepresented students;
• Ability to interpret and apply academic policies, degreerequirements, and course prerequisites;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-pacedenvironment, both independently and as part of a team;
• Proficient with technology and able to learn new systems;
• Ability to perform work with substantial attention to detail;and
• Willing and able to travel to both George Mason's Fairfaxcampus and your assigned Northern Virginia Community Collegecampus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience working with transfer students and/or communitycollege students;
• Experience in student affairs or student service functionalarea such as academic advising, admissions counseling, careerservices, financial aid, leadership or program development, orsuccess coaching;
• Familiarity with student, adult, and/or career developmenttheory;
• Experience with event planning and/or program development andcontinuous improvement initiatives in areas pertaining to studentsuccess coaching, student access and retention initiatives, and/oracademic success interventions;
• Familiarity with George Mason University and/or NorthernVirginia Community College; and
• Bilingual.

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/.