Student Success Specialist

Trustees of the Hamline University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamline University is seeking an entry-level Student Success Specialist to work with diverse undergraduate students. The role focuses on culturally competent advising to support student success, persistence, and belonging across campus resources.

The position involves one-on-one advising, developing interventions, and contributing to retention efforts. It reports to the Director of Student Success & Career Integration and requires collaboration with multiple campus teams.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; teaching/advising experience preferred.
• Knowledge of advising practices and student success strategies.
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic academic advising to diverse undergraduate students.
• Develop and teach transitional courses for incoming students.
• Support engagement and connection to campus resources for retention.
• Attend and contribute to committee work and shared governance.
• Perform additional duties as needed by the Director of Student Success & Career Integration.

Skills

Advising

Teaching

Student engagement

Cultural competency

Communication

FERPA knowledge

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Apps

Workday Student

EAB

Job description

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service. Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

JOB SUMMARY

This entry-level position works with Hamline’s diverse undergraduate students to provide culturally competent holistic advising with the goal of student success. The Student Success Specialist works with students in one-on-one interactions to assist students with advising related tasks or to implement strategic interventions for success. This position works with students to foster engagement and connection to campus resources. Student Success Specialists at Hamline serve the larger institutional goals of retention, persistence, and academic and institutional belonging.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Advising

Advise students regarding academic and curricular requirements using a model of appreciative advising to assist students in identifying long term goals, resolve questions regarding degree progress/completion, major/minor/certificate programs, and act as a resource in resolving obstacles to student registration and graduation. Understand and communicate requirements and curricular policies and procedures surrounding academic progress and completion. Assist with Summer Orientation and Registration planning and implementation (materials development, student outreach, presentation of information, meeting with new transfer students, assisting new students in the registration process, post registration review for new first years). Present advising and curriculum related information to various campus constituencies (Hamline Plan presentations, orientation, Admissions events). Maintain highly detailed electronic notes pertaining to all student interactions. Coordinate various student outreach campaigns, such as program completion reminder, major declaration reminder, repeat First Year Seminar and First Year Writing reminders.

Instruction in transitional courses

Develop and teach courses in the curriculum for incoming first-year students, as assigned by the Assistant Provost/Director of First Year Seminar. Teaching courses may include: Institute for Academic Success (summer bridge) and First-Year Seminar (including an Understanding the Liberal Arts Learning section). Assist with the assessment and enhancement/revision of curriculum across these (and other) courses.

Outreach and general support for students

Serve as supplemental academic skills advisor to students in various cohorts - including students on academic probation, or in consultation with the Director of Student Success & Career Integration and relevant staff/faculty. Develop and maintain engagement with best practices in the field for working with historically underrepresented student populations. Oversee program content and student communication for the Piper Academic Community (PAC) academic support program and other initiatives for special populations. This includes maintaining the website content as well as general advising for up to 75 students.

Committee Attendance

Serve on or in support of various campus committees, as needed and relevant, including Early Alert Committee, Student Progress Committee, etc. as part of the shared work of the CASA staff and in service to the institutional goals relative to enrollment.

Additional Responsibilities

Participate in occasional presentations and trainings to various campus and external constituencies. Be familiar and comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and exercise best practices with regard to the maintenance of confidential student information. All other duties as requested.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Director of Student Success & Career Integration.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• Must be self-motivated, highly organized, and able to manage work interruptions.
• Must be willing to take on challenges, perform well under pressure, and perform within specific and limited time and resource constraints.
• Understanding of educational development theory in higher education.
• Knowledgeable regarding best practices surrounding appreciative advising and student success, and/or able to research and develop scholarship-based approaches to our practices and policies.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely, conveying complete information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information from others.
• Ability to develop courses as related to CASA.
• Must be an effective educator, with experience working with students from historically underrepresented populations, with the ability to develop strong rapport with students across diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Be familiar and comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and exercise best practices with regard to the maintenance of confidential student information.
• Working knowledge of or ability to learn Microsoft Office Suite, Google, Google Apps, EAB, and Workday Student.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Master's degree from an accredited college or university. Two (2) years professional experience in any of the following: teaching advising developing and facilitating orientation sessions, workshops, training sessions and other Academic Success related courses.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Five plus (5+) professional advising or teaching experience and pedagogical training. Two (2) years professional experience working with underserved students.

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

None.

WORKING CONDITIONS / EQUIPMENT

Must be able to perform the following essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation: Must be able to perform well under pressure as well as within specific and limited time and resource constraints. Must be able to work on a computer for extended periods of time. Must be able to perform tasks requiring intense concentration, and to switch rapidly between tasks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is a full time, 1.0 FTE, exempt position, 12 months a year. Occasional evening and weekends required as needed to teach various courses or to attend conference events or training sessions.

Salary range for this position $45,000-$47,000

EEO/DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Hamline University will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on race; color; religion; creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender expression; gender identity; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; service with a local human rights commission; disability; age; or protected veteran status in its employment and educational opportunities.

In addition, a romantic or physical relationship between a student and an employee who is not a student worker is prohibited.

Since 1854, Hamline has set the standard for excellence in education, and we continue to do so today with the help of driven individuals who are dedicated to Hamline’s tradition of doing all the good we can in all the ways we can. Our community of students, faculty, and staff take seriously the ideals of the university - scholarship, leadership, and fellowship and work together to enact positive change locally, nationally, and globally.