College Success Coach

Virginia Community College System

Wise (VA)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 52,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

Mountain Empire Community College is hiring a College Success Coach to support students in developing individualized academic plans, applying for financial aid and scholarships, and connecting them with tutoring and learning resources. The role emphasizes regular communication with students, faculty collaboration, and data-driven follow-up to promote degree completion.

Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, or counseling, plus experience in counseling or

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, or a related field.
Work experience in counseling or academic coaching, advising, or within the Division of Student Services/Affairs.
Must possess a current driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Develop individualized academic plans with students that will lead to program completion.
Assist students with applying for financial aid and scholarships.
Identify academic needs and link to tutoring or other learning support resources.
Provide follow up when risk factors such as poor attendance or low grades are evident.
Communicate with students regularly in person and in small groups.
Coordinate with college faculty and student services personnel to ensure access to resources for completion of the academic program.
Capture data on student communications, interactions and success strategies to strengthen the college’s use of College Success Coaches.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Individualized academic plans

Financial aid knowledge

Academic and career counseling

Problem solving

Underserved populations awareness

Collaboration with faculty

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Presentation & facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

College Success Coach

Mountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.

The Center for Student Outreach and Success (CSOS), a division of Student Services, is designed to ensure students have access to the services they need to be successful at MECC. The CSOS serves as a one-stop shop on campus assisting students with the academic process and ensuring they are referred to the appropriate services needed. The CSOS Center encourages students to walk in with any questions they may have. The staff in the CSOS Center are trained to refer students to the appropriate offices or assist the student if appropriate. The CSOS Center is comprised of the College Success Coach Initiative. The CSCI Program’s primary focus is to serve their cohort students with one-on-one case management services to address barriers to success. When appropriate, the CSCI staff will assist students with referrals and provide backup advising services when faculty/Student Services staff are not available.

The College Success Coach is responsible for working with students to support and enhance their success in college. The college success coach will assist students in developing individualized academic plans, applying for financial aid and scholarships, identifying academic needs and linking to tutoring or other learning support resources, and providing follow up when risk factors such as poor attendance or low grades are evident. The College Success Coach will communicate with students in the target population on a regular basis and engage them in person individually and/or in small groups. College success coaches will communicate with college faculty and coordinate with student services personnel regarding students in the target population to ensure that they have access to college resources and support that will lead to completion of their academic program. College Success Coaches will capture appropriate data on student communications, interactions, and success strategies in order to strengthen the college’s use of College Success Coaches.

This position is designated as a restricted position in accordance with Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Policy 2.20. A restricted position is one that is funded, in whole or in part (minimum of 10%), by non-continuous or non-recurring funding sources such as grants, contracts, donations, auxiliary revenues, or other time-limited funding streams.

As a result, the continued availability of this position is dependent upon the continuation of the identified funding source(s). Should such funding be reduced, modified, or discontinued, the position and therefore employment in this role may be subject to change or elimination in accordance with applicable state and institutional policies.

Employees serving in restricted positions are generally afforded the same terms and conditions of employment as other classified employees; however, certain provisions such as layoff sequencing and eligibility for placement rights or severance benefits may differ based on the nature and continuity of funding.

By accepting or continuing in this position, the employee acknowledges and understands the restricted status of the role and the potential implications associated with its funding source.

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSAs needed to be successful in the position:

Strong interpersonal skills to help engage, provide support to, and motivate students.
Ability to develop individualized academic plans with students that will lead to program completion.
Knowledge of and links to financial aid and scholarship information available through the college.
Academic and career counseling skills.
Effective problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of the specific needs of underserved populations in order to attain educational success.
Ability to work with students with identified risk factors for academic success.
Ability to work with college faculty and staff in support of student success.
Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills throughout the application packet and selection process.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
Strong presentation and facilitation skills.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, or a related field.
Work experience in counseling or academic coaching, advising, or within the Division of Student Services/Affairs.
Must possess a current driver’s license.

Additional Considerations:

Master’s degree in a related field such as counseling, education, psychology, or a related field.
Experience working with students in a Community College setting.

Operation of a State Vehicle Yes

Supervises Employees No

Required Travel Infrequent statewide travel.

Posting Number CLS_4843P

Recruitment Type General Public - G

Number of Vacancies 1

Job Open Date 11/06/2026

Job Close Date 11/20/2026

Open Until Filled No

Contact Name Cory Darnell

Phone Number 276-523-9081

Additional Information The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents