Coordinator for Student Transition and Success

Fairfield Department of Health; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University seeks a Coordinator for Student Transition and Success to support underrepresented student groups, emphasizing transition-to-college and retention strategies. The role includes direct student support, event planning, and cross‑department collaboration to promote belonging and academic achievement.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and 3+ years in higher education, with flexibility for evening/weekend work and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred in education, student affairs, or related field.
• 3+ years in higher education or related setting.
• 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

• Coordinate key components of the Academic Immersion Program, including summer bridge planning and logistics.
• Lead efforts to support Fairfield Bellarmine students in their transition to Fairfield's main campus.
• Provide consistent, culturally aware student advising and mentorship.
• Track student participation and outcomes and assist in evaluation and reporting.
• Collaborate with Upward Bound to improve student transition pathways.
• Help build inclusive spaces that affirm students' identities and experiences.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Event coordination

Relationship building

Multitasking

Student retention knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Coordinator for Student Transition and Success

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 assist students from underrepresented and/or historically underserved backgrounds with an emphasis on programs that facilitate the transition to college, support academic achievement and overall student success. This role supports overall student transition with a concentration on three primary initiatives: the Academic Immersion Program, transition support for students from Fairfield Bellarmine and collaboration with the Upward Bound Program. The coordinator will deliver direct student support, organize events and workshops, manage communication with campus partners, and ensure high-impact practices that promote student retention and a sense of belonging.

Essential Functions

• Assess and evaluate implemented programs and activities
• Ability to 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

Key Responsibilities

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

Minimum 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

Preferred Qualifications

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

Category

President - Staff

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University 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, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.