Coordinator for Student Transition and Success

Fairfield University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University is seeking a dedicated Coordinator for Student Transition and Success to support underrepresented students transitioning to college and thriving academically. The role focuses on the Academic Immersion Program, Fairfield Bellarmine transition, and collaboration with Upward Bound, delivering direct student support and high‑impact practices to boost retention and belonging.

The coordinator will organize events, manage communications with campus partners, and develop reports to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in education, student affairs, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in higher education or a related setting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting students from first‑generation and/or low‑income backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate events, build relationships across departments, and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of issues affecting student retention and persistence.
• Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate implemented programs and activities.
• Maintain, analyze, and keep track of funds and programming budget.
• Develops a tracking system for student retention and engagement.
• Coordinate and develop training programs and workshops for student success and retention.
• Meet 1:1 with assigned students.
• Develop reports and resources that promote student needs.
• Collaborate with Upward Bound to improve student transition pathways.

Skills

Event coordination

Interpersonal communication

Budget tracking

Student advising

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

About the University

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description

Coordinator for Student Transition andSuccess

Division

Access, Belonging, Community Engagement

Location

Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Work Schedule Hours

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday - 8:30am - 4:30pm
• Tuesday/Thursday - 12:30pm - 8:30pm

Position Summary

The Coordinator for Student Transition and Success will assiststudents from underrepresented and/or historically underservedbackgrounds with an emphasis on programs that facilitate thetransition to college, support academic achievement and overallstudent success. This role supports overall student transition witha concentration on three primary initiatives: the AcademicImmersion Program, transition support for students from FairfieldBellarmine and collaboration with the Upward Bound Program. Thecoordinator will deliver direct student support, organize eventsand workshops, manage communication with campus partners, andensure high-impact practices that promote student retention and asense of belonging.

Essential Functions

• Assess and evaluate implemented programs and activities
• Ability to maintain, analyze, and keep track of funds andprogramming budget
• Develops a tracking system for student retention andengagement
• Coordinate and develop training programs and workshops forstudent success and retention
• Meet 1:1 with assigned students
• Develop reports and resources that promote student needs

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate key components of the Academic Immersion Program,including:
  • Summer bridge planning and logistics
  • Facilitating programming and offering high-touch support forits participants
  • Academic year workshops and student check-ins
  • Ongoing retention initiatives for first- and second-yearstudents
• Lead efforts to support Fairfield Bellarmine students in theirtransition to Fairfield’s main campus, including:
  • Individual and group support services
  • Events and workshops focused on academic and socialtransition
  • Partnership development with student services, faculty, andadvising teams
• Provide consistent, culturally aware student advising andmentorship
• Track student participation and outcomes and assist in evaluationand reporting
• Collaborate with Upward Bound to improve student transitionpathways
• Help build inclusive spaces that affirm students’ identities andexperiences
• Serve as a visible and approachable presence for students
• Other Duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred ineducation, student affairs, or related field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in higher education or arelated setting
• Demonstrated experience supporting students fromfirst-generation and/or low-income backgrounds
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to coordinate events, build relationships acrossdepartments, and manage multiple priorities
• Knowledge of issues affecting student retention andpersistence
• Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends asneeded

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with summer bridge or academic transitionprograms
• Familiarity with community college student populations or two-year to four-year transition models
• Understanding of Jesuit education and student successframeworks

Category

President - Staff

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities asrequired by supervisor and as departmental/University needsindicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is notdesigned to contain and should not be interpreted as acomprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities,activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employeesassigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities maychange and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or withoutnotice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactorybackground check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to allemployees and applicants for employment and prohibitsdiscrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status,genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, or any other characteristic protected byfederal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms andconditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves ofabsence, compensation and training.