Science and Engineering Student Success Specialist

Tacoma Community College; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Tacoma Community College is seeking a Science, Engineering Student Success Specialist to develop and coordinate student support services, outreach activities, and programming across STEM pathways. The role partners with faculty, industry, K-12, and higher education to enhance recruitment, persistence, and completion in aerospace-related programs.

Under the MESA Director, the position supports grant-funded activities, coordinates student employees, and advances equity and access for historically

Qualifications

• Experience in student support services and coordinating academic support and events.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with a focus on equity, inclusion, and student-centered practices.
• Strong writing and communication skills; ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct needs assessments, coordinate intake and orientation, and develop individualized support plans for academic success.
• Provide mentoring and connect students with advising, tutoring, financial aid, counseling, and basic needs support.
• Foster student engagement through peer mentoring, study groups, leadership development, and community building.

Job description

Priority Consideration Date: September 6, 2026

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well‑being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Latine, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti‑racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African‑American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice‑involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Summary

The Science and Engineering Student Success Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing student support services, outreach activities, and programming that advance student recruitment, retention, persistence, completion, transfer, and career exploration within science, engineering, aerospace, and aerospace-adjacent programs at Tacoma Community College. The position supports institutional efforts to strengthen STEM pathways, with a particular focus on increasing student participation and success in aerospace and related industries.

The coordinator works collaboratively with faculty, staff, industry partners, K-12 institutions, universities, and community organizations to provide academic and career support, coordinate outreach and recruitment activities, facilitate experiential learning opportunities, and connect students with campus and community resources. The position also provides leadership and coordination for activities funded through grants and supported programs, including the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, helping to ensure student success and equitable access to STEM educational and career opportunities.

The position supports Tacoma Community College's commitment to expanding access and success for students pursuing STEM degrees and careers, particularly in high-demographic fields that contribute to the regional aerospace workforce.

This is a full-time, temporarily funded professional position. This position is set to end June 30, 2027.

Under the direction of the MESA Director, coordinate and support Tacoma Community College's Science, Engineering, and Math Division’s engineering efforts and the MESA program to promote student recruitment, retention, academic success, transfer, and completion in aerospace and related STEM pathways.

Student Success, Advising, and Retention

• Conduct student needs assessments, coordinate student intake and orientation processes, and develop individualized support plans that promote academic success, persistence, retention, and transfer.
• Provide mentoring, advocacy, and case management support by assisting students in identifying and accessing campus and community resources, including advising, tutoring, financial aid, counseling, basic needs support, and other support services.
• Foster student engagement through peer mentoring, study groups, leadership development, and community‑building activities that support student success.

Program Coordination and Student Engagement

• Coordinate day-to-day MESA program operations, including training and supporting MESA student employees and maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive student center environment.
• Plan, coordinate, and support student-focused programs and events, including outreach activities, workshops, campus visits, transfer and scholarship fairs, research opportunities, conferences, and graduation celebrations.
• Transport students in college vehicles to MESA-supported activities and events and maintain required participation and consent documentation.

Partnership Development and Collaboration

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, advisors, transfer institutions, industry partners, and student support programs to develop, coordinate, and integrate services and activities that enhance student success.
• Support initiatives that increase recruitment, retention, completion, and transfer for students in STEM fields, with particular emphasis on historically underrepresented student populations.

Communications, Data, and Administrative Support

• Coordinate communications and promotional efforts for MESA programs and activities, including collaborating with Marketing and WA MESA to develop print and electronic materials.
• Collect, maintain, and report student participation, success, retention, transfer, and program outcome data; maintain accurate student and program records.
• Coordinate tutoring and advising schedules and communications and provide administrative support for day-to-day program operations.

Professional Development and Cultural Competency

• Participate in professional development activities offered by Washington MESA, Tacoma Community College, and other relevant organizations.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practices while working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education to Experience Equivalences

• Associate's Degree = 2 years
• Bachelor's Degree = 4 years
• Master's Degree = 6 years

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in student support services.
• Experience in planning, organizing, and delivering academic support services and events
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with historically non-dominant students pursuing degrees in STEM fields, with an emphasis on promoting equity, diversity, & inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM discipline from an accredited college or university.

OR equivalent education/experience working in a STEM field or serving STEM students

Duties of the position require knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Ability to actively lead and participate on teams to advance the college towards the completion of shared goals.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of departmental and student records.
• Ability to promote and maintain a healthy and positive work environment with collegial and cooperative work relationships.
• Ability to provide clear and ethical principles to decision-making and use judgment and discretion in sensitive matters.
• Experience working with diverse populations in an educational setting or community-based organization providing educational services.
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Ability to work independently, assume responsibility, and take initiative
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse population, both in and outside the college.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Conditions Of Employment

• The finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check prior to the start of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily prevent employment, but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by HR staff.

• Tacoma Community College has no responsibility or obligation to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

• Must have reliable transportation to go to community meetings and events.
• Must have a driver's license and transport students in college vehicles to MESA-supported events and activities.

Application Steps

1. TacomaCommunityCollegeapplication
2. Resume and cover letter. In your cover letter indicate