Campus News

The Student Support Coach provides innovative support services and resources to ensure academic success for RU students, specifically student athletes.  The Student Support Coach will collaborate closely with the Dean of Student Support Programming in the delivery, management and innovation of wrap around support services for support program participants, conditional admits, and peer mentoring program participants to increase retention and completion rates.   This is a nonexempt, fulltime position scheduled at 30 hours per week.  This full-time position offers a rich benefits package, upon hire, including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan with matching contribution and tuition remission for employee, spouse and dependents.

The Student Support Coach will work to minimize barriers to success and provide individualized care and coaching to retain and graduate RU students, with a laser focus on our growing population of student-athletes. The position would coach and support students via regular communications, meetings, online and in-person modules, success workshops and a caseload of first- and second-year students assuring a positive and supportive climate for identified students. 

A focus will be placed on assigning support services and providing personal assistance for students in all aspects of matriculation by offering a comprehensive network of resources for student support program participants. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, but are not limited to:

• Develop and coordinate program participant recruitment, selection, and orientation. 
• Coach (12-16 meetings per semester) for a caseload of approximately 30 students, primarily first-gens, providing high-touch individualized care and support toward academic, social, leadership, and life skills development. 
• Monthly visit to FYS to collaborate with the designated instructors and co-facilitate discussions and activities with students focused on college success and completion.
• Serve as the first contact for program participant concerns, issues, and needs. 
• Provide coaching and supervision for purchase of books and materials for courses.  
• Assist in planning and facilitating the program Summer and Fall Retreat and academic recovery programs for selected students.
• Maintain and update student tracking databases and files, including scheduling and recording notes on interactions with participants using digital data collection systems. 
• Organize and facilitate program events including scheduling, logistics, and marketing to program participants.       
• Track students’ academic progress and facilitate their use of campus resources. 
• Work with campus partners (including but not limited to student life staff, academic advisors, and financial aid staff) to support students’ success and retention.
• Develop programming to address the personal, social, emotional, and academic needs of participants. This would include planning and facilitating student support workshops focused on the needs of first-generation college students and student athletes. 
• Plan and facilitate off-campus excursions for leadership and cultural development each semester. 
• Forge strong collaborative relationships with staff and faculty across campus to build awareness, support for and participation in the student support programs.
• Maintain accurate records of student results and outcomes for the department programs.  
• Participate in a team-based proactive approach to intrusive interventions to aid in student success and retention of program participants. 
• Meet with athletic coaches to enhance support and increase retention and college completion for student-athletes. 
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in working with faculty, staff and students with diverse backgrounds including academic, socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation, and disabilities.
• Other duties as assigned related to student support and college completion. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

•  High energy self-starter; must be able to take initiative with minimal guidance and be comfortable working both as an individual and as part of a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with various stakeholders.
• Effective time management skills.
• Knowledge of best practices related to teaching and learning, tutorial/learning materials and instructional aids. 
• Knowledge of integration of technology to facilitate effective teaching and learning to connect with students of all learning styles. 
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations to students, faculty, and administrators.
• Success in project management as demonstrated through results in an efficient and timely manner. 
• Growth-minded problem solver known for ability to collaborate in a multifunctional area. 
• Strong organization and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.

 EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Sport Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field; Master’s preferred…
• Experience working with MAP and PELL grant eligible, first generation, and underrepresented or diverse students as well as student athletes.
• Experience with academic and personal coaching, teaching, personal and career development, case management/outreach, and mentoring.
• Knowledge of higher education recruitment, orientation, access, transition, retention, and success.
• 1-3 years of full-time professional work experience within higher-education student support programs such as tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and/or bridge and transition programming for first generation college students.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive and Canva.
• Experience using social media as an engagement strategy.
• Experience with technology integration using programs such as Canvas, Zoom, Canva, as well as experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting data. 

TO APPLY: Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Please submit resume indicating salary requirements, resume and list of three professional references to HumanResources@rockford.edu.

At Rockford University we are committed to the principle of diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to building a well-rounded workforce and community.  We are especially interested in candidates who through their professional experience bring contributions to diversity and excellence in the work they do.