Student Success Counselor

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement: 403(b) 10% non-elective

Health, dental, vision insurance

Hybrid work flexibility

Summer four-day workweeks

Year-end time off

Job summary

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago invites applications for a Student Success Counselor to advocate for continuing students, bridging academic requirements with daily student life for both on-campus and online learners.

This role emphasizes retention, coaching, collaboration with faculty, housing and international student support, spiritual care, orientations, and financial wellness within a mission-driven, equity-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in student affairs, higher education leadership, or a related field is required.
• 3–5 years of progressive leadership or professional experience in student affairs, academic coaching, or chaplaincy.
• Experience with CRM systems (e.g. Slate) and digital platforms used to support online and hybrid learning communities.
• Understanding of Lutheran tradition and commitment to social justice and authentic diversity.
• Proven ability to mentor student leaders and collaborate across departments in a small, mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Retention: serve as the primary resource for second-year students and beyond to support institutional retention goals.
• Student Meetings & Success Coaching: host regular coaching meetings to monitor well-being and academic persistence.
• Academic Collaboration: partner with faculty and the Registrar to address student needs in coursework and progress.
• Student Life Coordination: oversee student governance, clubs, housing logistics, and international student support.
• Spiritual Care Collaboration: work with the spiritual care team to foster an inclusive environment for spiritual growth.
• Orientation & Onboarding: design and execute New Student and All-Student Orientations.
• Financial Coaching: assist students in understanding their financial accounts and provide financial wellness opportunities.
• Online Student Experience: oversee the digital student journey for remote learners in self-paced or real-time environments.
• Early Intervention: collaborate with faculty and staff to implement proactive systems and analyze persistence data.

Skills

Relationship building

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Enrollment management

Education

Master's degree in student affairs or higher education leadership

Tools

Slate CRM

Digital learning platforms

Job description

Description

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), dedicated to forming visionary leaders for a public church engaged in the world. Located in the vibrant Hyde Park neighborhood, LSTC is a community rooted in social justice, rigorous academic study, and community engagement. Our Student Experience team is vital to this mission: fostering a sense of belonging, providing holistic support, and striving to connect every student with the resources they need to thrive. Your work will directly support LSTC’s commitment to creation care, racial equity, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion by nurturing a diverse and vibrant student body.

Position Summary

LSTC is seeking a student-centered and proactive Student Success Counselor to serve as a primary advocate and resource for our continuing students (those in their second year and beyond). Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience, this role is ideal for a dedicated professional who enjoys building relationships and managing diverse projects. The Student Success Counselor will be the bridge between academic requirements and the lived student experience, supporting both on-campus and online learners as they remain engaged and spiritually nourished.

Key Responsibilities

• Retention: Serve as the primary resource for second-year students and beyond to support institutional retention goals.
• Student Meetings & Success Coaching: Host regular success coaching meetings with all enrolled students to monitor well-being and academic persistence.
• Academic Collaboration: Partner and collaborate with faculty and the Registrar to understand student needs and concerns within their coursework and towards their academic progress.
• Student Life Coordination: Provide executive oversight and administrative support for student governance, clubs, activities, and organizations. Assist with student housing logistics and international student support.
• Spiritual Care Collaboration: Partner and collaborate with the spiritual care team, fostering an inclusive environment for the spiritual growth of a diverse student body.
• Orientation & Onboarding: Partner with the Admissions Counselor to design and execute New Student and All-Student Orientations that welcome learners into the LSTC community.
• Financial Coaching: Assist students in understanding their student financial accounts and provide financial wellness learning opportunities for students.
• Online Student Experience: Provide specific oversight for the digital student journey, working to ensure that remote learners are integrated and supported in self-paced or real-time environments.
• Early Intervention: Partner with faculty and staff to implement proactive early-intervention systems and analyze student persistence data to identify areas for institutional improvement.

Requirements

• Education: A master’s degree in student affairs, higher education leadership, or a relevant area of study is required.
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive leadership or professional experience in student affairs, academic coaching, or chaplaincy.
• Technical Skills: Experience with CRM systems (e.g. Slate) and a strong understanding of digital platforms used to support online and hybrid learning communities.
• Mission & Values Alignment: An understanding of the Lutheran tradition and a firm commitment to social justice and authentic diversity. We welcome candidates of all faith traditions who are committed to our mission of justice and inclusion.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to mentor student leaders and work collaboratively across departments in a small, mission-driven environment.

Total Rewards & Benefits

LSTC is committed to the well-being and future of our employees. This position offers an industry-leading benefits package, including:

• Retirement: A 10% non-elective employer contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan (LSTC contributes an amount equal to 10% of your salary even if you contribute 0%).
• Health: Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Our current model allows for a balance of in-person presence in Hyde Park and remote work flexibility.
• Quality of Life: Enjoy six four-day workweeks during the summer, a full week off at the end of the calendar year, and regular access to worship and spiritual enrichment events on campus.
• Culture: A community-focused environment that values justice, equity, and inclusion.

LSTC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.