Student Success Coach

Grand Valley State University; United States; On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand Valley State University is seeking a Student Success Coach to assess students' support needs and provide academic support, learning assistance, and connections to student life resources within assigned programs. The role also involves fostering persistence and creating culturally sensitive relationships to promote student success.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in education or related field, demonstrates strong communication and organizational skills, and can learn new

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, or related discipline.
• Familiarity with academic assessment tools, current research, and learning strategies.
• Excellent written, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technology and experience working with Microsoft Office software.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals from diverse educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Assess students’ support needs and provide academic support, learning assistance, student life connections, and basic needs assistance.
• Foster persistence and task completion with college students from diverse backgrounds.
• Develop culturally sensitive working relationships with students to ensure success.
• Help students identify, develop, and implement learning strategies and study skills specific to course materials.
• Coordinate student success broadly and work with specific programs for intrusive, inclusive, and intentional intervention.
• Supervise and train undergraduate student-staff.
• Work collaboratively with partners across the University to address resource gaps and systems challenges when it comes to student success.
• Serve on university committees.
• Participate as full member of the Division of Enrollment and Educational Outreach.
• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership

Skills

Academic assessment tools

Learning strategies

Communication skills

Diversity experience

Microsoft Office skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This position will be a part of a team that will assess students' support needs and provide academic support, learning assistance, student life connections, and basic needs assistance to students within their assigned program and college students from diverse backgrounds. Student Success Coaches will work with the following programs: Oliver Wilson Scholars Brooks Minority Scholarship, Challenge Scholars, Pickard Business Scholarship, Phoenix Pact Scholarship, Bob & Ellen Thompson Scholarship – Working Family & University Prep, and Wade McCree Scholars. Affinity Programs through Social Justice Centers – Laker Familia, Black Excellence, Asian Student Achievement Program, Native Achievement Program, LGBT Resource Center Programs, and Center for Women and Gender Equity programs

Salary and Benefits

• Minimum starting salary of $45,000, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties

• Assess students’ support needs and provide academic support, learning assistance, student life connections, and basic needs assistance
• Foster persistence and task completion with college students from diverse backgrounds
• Develop culturally sensitive working relationships with students to ensure success
• Help students identify, develop, and implement learning strategies and study skills specific to course materials.
• Coordinate student success broadly and work with specific programs for intrusive, inclusive, and intentional intervention
• Supervise and train undergraduate student-staff.
• Work collaboratively with partners across the University to address resource gaps and systems challenges when it comes to student success.
• Serve on university committees.
• Participate as full member of the Division of Enrollment and Educational Outreach.
• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, or related discipline.
• Familiarity with academic assessment tools, current research, and learning strategies.
• Excellent written, communication, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technology and experience working with Microsoft office software.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals from diverse educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master's degree in education, counseling, or related discipline
• Experience in academic intervention strategies/advising and/or mentoring of students in particular those at greater risk of stopping short of the degree.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment. Some travel and occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Application Deadline: Consideration of applications will begin immediately, and the posting will be closed on August 27, 2026. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State). Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities. At Grand Valley State University, we empower learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose. The university enriches society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, advancement of equity, and public service. The GVSU community is collaborative, inclusive, self-aware, goal- and growth-oriented. We value connection with fellow Lakers, both student and professional colleagues, and strive to challenge our existing state with innovative strategies. We are dedicated to student success, and the well-being of our community as a whole. Read more about our Reach Higher 2025 strategic plan and process.