Position Description

The Success Specialist for Student Success for Commonwealth University will develop, implement and evaluate success plans for both undergraduate and graduate students that support and fulfill the University’s strategic goals in the areas of retention, graduation, and closing persistence and achievement gaps. The Success Specialist will provide academic and life skills coaching, case management, and advocacy to students participating in the center’s programs. As a member of the Student Success Center team, the Success Specialist will work to build and maintain partnerships with various administrators, academic advisors, and faculty from all four campuses in order to effectively deliver integrated support to all students. This position will work in concert with the Student Success staff to support the implementation of current and future initiatives related to student success. This position works frequently with student success platforms to maintain student interaction and engagement including working with early alerts, referrals, student contact notes, and connection to student support services. Additionally, the Success Specialist will be the lead for 1 or more of the various Student Success program initiatives.

About the Northeast Integration:
The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities is a bold investment in the communities and people of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners.
Powerful ideas start here, carried by dynamic stories and voices, resulting in empowered students. Together, we provide financially responsible degree options that maximize experiential learning, career preparation, and efficient time to degree completion.

We're Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.

We're Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.

We're Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public higher education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.

The State System and its universities are committed to cultivating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments that allow all members of the State System community to thrive.

Examples of Duties

• Implement one or more of the student success center’s retention programs including but not limited to: Academic Success Program (ASP), CLIMB, Haven Leadership Program (HLP), FYS/119 Mentoring Program, Learning Community Programs, Jumpstart, 2nd Year Student Programming, Weekly Workshop Program, the Success Program.
• Evaluate/assess and continuously review assigned program. Provide recommendations to Executive Director for improvement.
• Assist with hiring of student staff. Provide training, supervision and evaluation of student staff who work in respective programs.
• Act as liaisons to various offices that collaborate with programming for example, admissions, counseling services, disability services, FYE, TRIO SSS, AIP, ACT 101.
• Attend and participate in meetings related to the academic success for identified student cohorts. May include meetings with Deans, academic advisors, academic departments, the AVP for Student Success & Campus Life, and other service areas such as Tutoring, ACT 101, Residential Life, Dean of Students and others as identified.
• Assist and participate in Open House, Accepted Student Day, Welcome Week, and Orientation Programing as directed.
• Conduct holistic assessments of student needs in order to develop success plans in conjunction with assigned students to encourage informed action.
• Remains competent in current practices in the field through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses, and maintains professional certification and/or memberships as required.
• Serve on the Student Success Center Team and participate in weekly meetings.
• Serve as a member of the Early Alert Team.
• Assist with special retention projects such as registration and mid-term grade reach out.
• Assist in program evaluation and provide recommendations for service enhancements.
• Determining appropriate action to take on referred cases in conjunction with center staff.
• Maintain general understanding of university curricular policies and requirements.
• Assist in Exploratory Studies student advising efforts as needed.
• Ensuring follow up to referrals to other services/offices are completed.
• Assisting in the review and development of policies, procedures, and training to support the efficiency of the center.
• Maintaining records in compliance with FERPA and other state/federal guidelines.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute ideas/initiatives to improve programming in the Student Success Center.
• Additional responsibilities/coordinating areas will be assigned from the following areas: Special population programming (first generation, non-traditional, commuters, etc), social media, marketing efforts, communications with parent/supporters, outreach coordination, student communication coordination, coordination on stand-alone events for student success, early alert coordination, orientation assistance.
• Other duties as assigned.

The Position Purpose and Description of Duties sections summarized above provide a representative listing only and should not be regarded as a complete statement of tasks performed by incumbents of this position. It should be recognized, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job related duties in addition to those outlined above.

DECISION MAKING
Works in collaboration with academic and other student success/campus life areas but works independently to set schedules for student appointments and meetings. Assists students by making referrals to other services as needed.

Relatively autonomous decision making with regards to assigned program and coordinating area assignment(s).

Relatively autonomous decision making with regards to directing/supervising undergraduate and graduate student employees.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITY
Supervises undergraduate and graduate student employees

Qualifying Experience / Education

Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree is required;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience with specialized student populations including first-generation, low income and underrepresented individuals, preferred.
• Prior experience with academic or career coaching case management or counseling is preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of experience working (includes student employment experience) within Higher Education, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of recruitment/retention, orientation, access, transition, retention and success.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and awareness of cultural, ethnic, racial, economic, disabilities, gender, and religious differences.
• Demonstrated proficiency with student information systems.
• Demonstrated ability to execute multiple initiatives with deadlines.
• Basic understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Capacity to work with others.
• High energy and creative.
• Ability to solve complex problems.
• Knowledge of student development and resources that promote student success.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to relate effectively with students, institutional personnel, and the public.
• Ability to identify students’ needs for support services in order to make appropriate referrals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Supplemental Information

For full position requirements and description, including applications procedures and how to apply, please visit https://jobs.lhup.edu/postings/5902.

For full consideration applications must be received by July 14, 2022.