Student Success Advocate

Doña Ana Community College; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Doña Ana Community College in Las Cruces, NM is seeking a dedicated Student Success Advocate to support students across their academic journey, with emphasis on improving retention and graduation outcomes.

The role involves proactive outreach, personalized coaching, and collaboration with faculty and campus services to connect students with tutoring, counseling, and financial aid resources. Standard hours are M-F 8-5, with travel between campuses as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree plus 2 years relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.
• Bilingual competency will be considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive academic, personal, and student-success support to DACC students with a focus on retention, persistence, and graduation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with assigned students through outreach, coaching, and ongoing academic support.
• Serve as a consistent point of contact and advocate for students, helping navigate college processes and access campus/community resources.
• Monitor student progress, academic standing, attendance, enrollment, and other indicators to identify at-risk students.
• Provide individualized success plans and interventions based on students’ needs and goals.
• Assist with academic planning, course selection, degree progression, registration, and financial aid navigation.

Education

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Department Contact: McKenna Garcia, 575-527-7550, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: DACC, a responsive, accessible, comprehensive, learning-centered community college that provides education opportunities to a diverse community of learners is inviting candidates to apply for the following vacant position:

Position Details

Position Title: Student Success Advocate

College/division: DACC Dona Ana CC

Department: 941500-DACC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT UNIT

Location: Doña Ana Community College

Offsite Location (if applicable): Travel between multiple campuses may be required on occasion

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $ 43,908.80 - $ 54,885.74; Commensurate with Qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive academic, personal, and student-success support to DACC students throughout their educational journey, with a primary focus on increasing student retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with assigned students through proactive outreach, regular check-ins, individualized coaching, and ongoing academic support.
• Serve as a consistent point of contact and advocate for students, helping them navigate college processes, identify barriers to success, and connect with appropriate campus and community resources.
• Monitor student progress, academic standing, attendance, enrollment, and other indicators of student engagement to identify students who may be at risk of stopping out or not completing their educational goals.
• Provide individualized success plans and interventions based on students’ academic needs, personal circumstances, career goals, and educational aspirations.
• Assist students with academic planning, course selection, degree progression, registration, transfer planning, financial aid navigation, and understanding college policies and procedures.
• Conduct proactive outreach to students who are experiencing academic difficulties, have stopped attending classes, are at risk of withdrawal, or demonstrate other indicators of disengagement.
• Collaborate with faculty, advisors, counselors, financial aid staff, student services, and other campus departments to coordinate wraparound support and address student needs.
• Connect students with tutoring, advising, counseling, financial assistance, basic needs resources, career services, disability services, and other available college and community resources.
• Support students in developing effective academic and life skills, including time management, organization, goal setting, study strategies, self-advocacy, and problem-solving.
• Maintain regular communication with students through in-person meetings, phone calls, email, text messaging, virtual appointments, workshops, and other appropriate communication methods.
• Track and document student contacts, interventions, referrals, progress, and outcomes in accordance with institutional policies and applicable privacy requirements.
• Utilize student data and early alert systems to identify trends, evaluate student needs, and implement timely interventions designed to improve retention and completion.
• Participate in student orientation, recruitment, welcome events, workshops, academic success programs, and other activities that promote student engagement and belonging.
• Help students understand the connection between their academic coursework, career interests, transfer opportunities, and long-term educational and professional goals.
• Encourage student engagement and a sense of belonging by helping students connect with campus organizations, leadership opportunities, peer support, and other student involvement activities.
• Identify systemic or recurring barriers that may negatively affect student persistence and communicate observations and recommendations to appropriate college personnel.
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to strengthen student support services and create a coordinated network of resources for DACC students.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, prepare reports, and assist with the collection and analysis of data related to student participation, retention, persistence, completion, and graduation outcomes.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to remain current on student success strategies, retention initiatives, higher education trends, and best practices in academic coaching.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA, college policies, procedures, and professional standards when working with student information.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of DACC’s student success, retention, persistence, and graduation goals.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual competency will be considered an asset.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non‑merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request