Student Success Coach

Botany and Plant Pathology Department at Purdue University; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional university seeks a Student Success Coach to advocate for students and promote their academic performance. The role involves analyzing persistence data and collaborating with campus resources to support at-risk students. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a related field along with 3-5 years of relevant experience. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential. Opportunities for career development and generous benefits are provided.

Benefits

Full medical, dental, and vision benefits

Vacation days and paid holidays

University contributions to retirement

Tuition remission for employees and dependents

Employee wellness programs

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of professional work experience in academic advising or retention role.
• Experience in public higher education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Assistant Director in analyzing and tracking persistence data.
• Engage at-risk populations with targeted outreach.
• Create individualized action plans for student success.
• Foster strong student relationships and provide motivation.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in higher education or related field

Master’s degree in higher education preferred

Job description

Overview

Our Academic Center for Excellence is seeking a Student Success Coach to join their team. The Student Success Coach will provide individual, appreciative, and transformational student advocacy on matters such as academic performance, college-life navigation, and resource referrals. This position will collaborate with academic advising to provide a committed, consistent, and transparent support system for students. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Student Coaching and Mentoring and will partner to create and facilitate PNW’s Student Success Hub.

Click here for more information about joining the Pride at Purdue Northwest.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Supports Assistant Director of Student Coaching and Retention in analyzing and tracking persistence data, identifying effective practices and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify and engage at-risk populations through targeted outreach, partnering with campus resources and Care Teams to address complex student needs and promote use of the Student Success Hub.
• Meet with students to assess support needs, create individualized action plans, and conduct recurring appointments to monitor academic progress and ensure follow-through on success strategies.
• Oversee student accountability groups while providing guidance on college policies and connect students to appropriate PNW resources to support their success.
• Collaborate with peer mentors to develop workshops that promote Student Success Hub services and guide them in supporting students with action plan items such as time management, resource utilization, and goal setting.
• Maintain detailed records in the student system while leveraging it for communication through notes, texts, emails, and targeted campaigns to ensure consistent student engagement between appointments.
• Foster strong student relationships by providing motivation and support, and maintaining a safe, welcoming space for open communication.

Benefits

• Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more
• Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover
• University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)
• University contributions to Health Savings Account
• Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives
• 10 paid holidays
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Paid Parental Leave after one year of service
• Tuition remission for you, your spouse and dependent children at any Purdue campus

For more information on our excellent benefit package, please visit: https://www.pnw.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field (e.g., social work, counseling, education).
• Master’s degree in higher education or related field preferred.

Experience

• 3-5 years of professional work experience in an academic advising and/or retention-related position.
• Experience in public higher education, preferred.

Core Competencies

• Ability to learn, understand, interpret and relay the full range of student services available, including enrollment services, academic policies & procedures of PNW and associated federal & state regulations.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Possess excellent written, verbal, organizational, and time management skills
• Adapt to changes and willingness to learn new things
• Initiate and maintain professional relationships with diverse groups and sensitivity to the needs of students
• May have to work evening and weekend hours
• Strong interpersonal and human relations skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality is essential

Additional Information

Professional references will be verified prior to any offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check along with a motor vehicle records check if applicable.

Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.

Purdue Northwest is a student-centered university that transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana in the greater Chicago area and near the Indiana Dunes National Park, PNW serves approximately 9,000 students, including 6,000 core students, in a wide range of academic programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and applied doctoral levels. PNW employs more than 1,000 faculty and staff members for operations at its main campus in Hammond, Ind., and its branch campus in Westville, Ind., plus additional sites in Northwest Indiana including the Gabis Arboretum near Valparaiso, Ind. PNW’s values reflect the university’s commitment to respect, innovation, a student-centric university, and excellence.

Purdue Northwest is consistently ranked among the best public regional universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges report and is recognized as a First Scholars institution as well as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, PNW advances the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively impacts regional development.

FLSA Status

Exempt