Student Success Coach

Student Success Coach

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Brief Overview:

Student success coaches advise a consistent cohort of students in the Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) program throughout their collegiate careers from matriculation to graduation. The student success coach position extends beyond the traditional academic advising philosophy and is designed for a new institutional and curricular model. Coaches cultivate individualized relationships with students to provide holistic academic, pre-health, career and life coaching, empowering and guiding students in their academic persistence and career development.

Coaches are guided in their practice by their core values of respect, empowerment, an ethic of care, and guiding students. In addition to advising and student advocacy, student success coaches participate in teaching, coaching projects, and professional development and campus engagement. Successful coaches demonstrate deep care for students, a combination of strong collaboration skills and independent self management of work, a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, and adaptability to problem solve varied issues requiring technical expertise.

Location and Work environment:

This position is based in person on the University of Minnesota Rochester campus. To ensure high-touch support for students, four days a week on campus is required while students are present, with some flexibility for remote work during other times.

Work Schedule:

This position follows a standard weekday schedule with occasional evening and weekend commitments to support student programming, special events, and peak advising periods.

Expected Contributions:
Expected Contributions to Focus Area (UMR work team)

• Proactively coach consistent cohort of students, including special population students
• Contribute to coach projects, including resource development and group advising efforts
• Contribute to teaching and curriculum development that enhance student learning and career development.
• Represent coach team on select work groups and campus committees

Expected Contributions to Campus Priorities

• Support UMR's commitment to equity, student wellbeing, and academic persistence.
• Assist students in building a sense of meaning and purpose through self reflection in a supportive coaching relationship
• Continue to strengthen students' career exploration and decision making both through individual coaching and career curriculum.
• Support BSHS undergraduates' post-graduation career planning.

Primary Responsibilities
Advising & Student Advocacy 65%
Support assigned students with academic, career, pre-health, and personal development coaching.
Academic Advising:

• Proactively mentor students through the process of formulating a personalized education plan, utilizing a variety of academic advising strategies including one on-one and group advising
• Work closely with faculty to support student success in and out of the classroom
• Develop and promote written and electronic informational materials used to advise students
• Coach students (including those placed on academic warning) on goal setting, academic success skills, and utilizing appropriate academic resources
• Assist students through the capstone (individualized degree portion of the degree) planning, proposal, and reflection process
• Independently interpret and apply complex university policies to resolve high-level student issues, ensuring consistent and equitable outcomes
• Monitor student progress towards graduation; extract, analyze, and report on student progress utilizing available databases and resources (e.g. APAS, PeopleSoft, Grad Planner, APLUS, Canvas)

Career & Pre-Health Advising

• Support and empower students in their career decision making process, including helping them discover and reflect on their personal skills, values, and interests
• Encourage students to make connections between the interdisciplinary curriculum and a broad range of health science career paths
• Advise on appropriate academic and experiential preparatory activities based on student's intended career or educational pathway in Health Sciences (e.g. certificate, professional or graduate school, career)
• Help students develop a professional identity, including resume and cover letter writing, interviewing skills, job search strategies, etc.
• Help students navigate the application process for graduate and professional school, including personal statement writing, test preparation, and timeline planning

Personal Development Coaching

• Support students in navigating the transition to college; homesickness, self-advocacy, overcoming personal and/or academic challenges.
• Encourage students to connect to and make meaning of community engagement, leadership opportunities, student organizations, and professional experiences.
• Assist students in developing a deeper sense of self-awareness regarding values, identity, strengths, and passions
• Encourage and support students with identity development, cultural awareness, and cultural humility
• Challenge and support students in their personal growth and development throughout their time at UMR
• Refer students to other campus resources such as disability services, counseling services, housing, Care Team, health and wellness resources, etc.

Teaching and Management of Coaching Resources 30%
In addition to teaching, student success coaches will undertake additional projects that will contribute significantly to the Coaching Team. Projects will be assigned and selected based on personal interests and skills as well as institutional needs.

• Teach select section(s) of CAP Career Development courses; courses are centered around topics of personal development, identity development, career exploration, career decision making, development of career skills, application preparation, etc.
• Organize and manage course materials and assignments utilizing Canvas Learning Management System.
• Collaborate with teaching team(s) to create and continuously improve curriculum
• Contribute to projects and initiatives to support the work of the Student Success Coach team

Professional Development and Campus Engagement 5%
Engage in professional development, campus-wide initiatives, and program assessment related to student learning, student success, academic advising, and the student affairs profession.

• Actively participate in Center for Learning Innovation meetings and initiatives.
• Serve on cross-functional teams for select initiatives and programs such as student activities, orientation, welcome activities, and other special events
• Continue professional development and scholarly activity in the field of academic advising to maintain knowledge of trends and best practices (e.g. membership in professional associations, attendance/presentations at conferences and seminars, serve on teams and collaborate with other professional groups, etc.)
• Serve on university-wide committees or groups as needed

Required Qualifications

• Candidates must have a bachelor's degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or a master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience. Relevant experience may include college-level advising, student advocacy, mentoring, or coaching.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in student personnel and counseling, higher education administration, educational leadership, counseling or related area
• Three or more years of relevant higher education advising experience, with at least one year of experience outside of graduate school
• One of more years of secondary or college-level teaching experience
• Experience with personal or career development curriculum or programming
• Experience advising students interested in health care professions and/or work experience in the healthcare industry
• Knowledge of mental and emotional health needs of college students
• Experience tracking and interpreting data relevant to their work and using that information for work and process improvement
• Familiarity with student records databases and electronic resources (e.g. APAS, PeopleSoft, Grad Planner, APLUS, Canvas Learning Management System).
• A commitment to knowledge creation and research in higher education
• The desire and ability to work in a collaborative, team environment
• The ability to bring joy and purpose to their work with students
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity and advanced intercultural competencies
• An innovative mindset and the ability to operate in a sometimes-ambiguous environment
• The ability to learn and disseminate detailed information using a high level of interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Self-motivation, excellent time management, and organization skills
• Experience utilizing a diverse range of technologies
• Capacity to work some evenings and weekends

Pay Range: $58,000 - $63,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)

At the University of Minnesota Rochester, our vision is to transform higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the twenty-first century. UMR prepares students for a broad spectrum of career pathways including pre-med and patient care; psychology and mental health; business and leadership; health technology; public policy and global health; and research, discovery, and cures.

The campus community serves almost 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of downtown Rochester and continues to grow in size and influence through creative partnerships. At UMR, relationships and research drive student success. Learn more about UMR.

The University of Minnesota is proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022-24).