Job brief
We are looking for an empathetic, data-minded Student Success Advisor to join our academic affairs team and champion student retention initiatives. You will serve as the primary point of contact for an assigned cohort, helping them navigate the complexities of higher education while fostering an inclusive and supportive campus culture. This role is perfect for an educator or counselor who enjoys tracking progress through data and empowering students to reach their full potential. If you are passionate about improving student outcomes and building academic resilience, we want to hear from you.
Key highlights
- Analyze real-time student performance data in our CRM and LMS to identify and support learners who are falling behind in coursework.
- Conduct proactive outreach via phone, email, and virtual meetings to engage struggling students and provide academic coaching or motivation.
- Advise students on degree planning, course selection, and university policies to ensure they remain on track for timely graduation.
- Collaborate with faculty members and department chairs to gather insights on student attendance patterns and classroom participation challenges.
What is a Student Success Advisor?
A Student Success Advisor is an education professional dedicated to enhancing the academic journey and persistence of students through personalized guidance. By leveraging Learning Management Systems (LMS) and predictive analytics, a Student Success Advisor identifies at-risk learners early to provide targeted interventions. Their primary objective is to bridge the gap between academic intent and institutional success, ensuring every student has the tools and resources necessary to navigate degree requirements effectively.
What does a Student Success Advisor do?
A Student Success Advisor monitors student performance metrics within platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, or Banner to proactively manage academic health. They conduct one-on-one coaching sessions to help students create effective study plans, navigate registration hurdles, and balance extracurricular commitments. Beyond student interaction, they collaborate with faculty and academic departments to refine support strategies, facilitate workshops on time management, and document all outcomes to align with institutional accreditation standards.
Key responsibilities
- Analyze real-time student performance data in our CRM and LMS to identify and support learners who are falling behind in coursework.
- Conduct proactive outreach via phone, email, and virtual meetings to engage struggling students and provide academic coaching or motivation.
- Advise students on degree planning, course selection, and university policies to ensure they remain on track for timely graduation.
- Facilitate transition workshops for first-year students covering essential skills like academic writing, test preparation, and digital literacy.
- Collaborate with faculty members and department chairs to gather insights on student attendance patterns and classroom participation challenges.
- Maintain meticulous records of student interactions and intervention outcomes within our student information system for reporting and compliance.
- Refer students to university resources such as financial aid, mental health counseling, tutoring centers, and career development offices.
- Implement retention strategies that align with institutional benchmarks, assisting in the development of data-informed academic support initiatives.
Requirements and skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience using Student Information Systems (SIS) like Banner, PeopleSoft, or Workday to manage academic records.
- Proficiency in Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard for tracking student engagement and grades.
- Strong ability to interpret student retention data and translate findings into actionable, student-centered academic success plans.
- Knowledge of FERPA regulations and other institutional compliance standards regarding student privacy and academic reporting.
- Exceptional ability to de-escalate stressful academic situations and communicate clearly with diverse student populations regarding degree progression.
- Experience facilitating workshops or small group sessions focused on study skills, career readiness, or executive functioning.
- Professional certification in academic advising, such as those provided by NACADA, is highly desirable for candidates in this role.
FAQs
What does a Student Success Advisor do on a daily basis?
A Student Success Advisor spends their day monitoring student engagement reports and reaching out to students who show signs of academic struggle. They hold individual coaching sessions to discuss degree plans, provide study strategies, and troubleshoot registration or financial holds. Additionally, they document all interactions in an SIS and coordinate with faculty to ensure students have the necessary support to stay enrolled.
What skills are required for a Student Success Advisor?
The most important skills include active listening, data literacy for tracking student metrics, and proficiency in educational technology like Canvas or Banner. A Student Success Advisor must also possess strong problem-solving skills to navigate institutional policy and excellent interpersonal skills to build rapport with a diverse student body. Knowledge of academic counseling best practices and FERPA compliance is also essential.
Who does a Student Success Advisor work with?
They operate at the center of the campus ecosystem, working closely with individual students to drive persistence. They also collaborate regularly with department heads, academic faculty, financial aid officers, and registrar staff to resolve barriers to student progress. This cross-functional teamwork ensures that the advice provided to students is accurate, timely, and aligned with institutional goals.
Why is the role of a Student Success Advisor important?
The Student Success Advisor is critical to institutional health because they are the primary driver of student retention and degree completion rates. By providing early intervention and personalized guidance, they prevent students from dropping out due to preventable obstacles. Their work directly impacts the educational experience, institutional revenue, and the long-term success of the student body.