EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. A degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related area is preferred.
A minimum of two (2) years of experience is required. Professional work experience is required, which may include graduate assistant positions. Required experience may be in counseling, advising, or student success-related areas in a higher education setting (4 year or 2 year). Experience in meeting the academic support needs of a wide variety of students, including first generation, low Income, transfer, academically at risk or any other underrepresented group of students is preferred.
Specialized training or certification in goal setting, academic or life coaching is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills and establish and maintain working relationships with a range of diverse constituencies. Must have the ability to communicate with students to set and accomplish goals. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills and be a good listener and empathetic to student needs.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must have the ability to utilize data to inform decisions.
Candidate familiarity with academic advising or student financial services and understanding of factors that drive retention is a plus.
Candidate must possess a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with software used in data collection (Excel, PeopleSoft, Qualtrics) is a plus.

• Provide academic coaching and problem solving for students. Analyzing data such as early/midterm progress reports, academic standing reports, alerts from concerned faculty/staff, and other communications where students’ retention and progress is of concern. This will involve outreach, meeting with students individually, and discussing options on how they can remain at SMU and progress toward graduation.
• Identify, outreach, and counsel students who are at risk of leaving the University and intervene utilizing appropriate contacts and coaching methods to enhance the likelihood of successful problem resolution toward retaining students. Assist in the development of proactive programs for students with limited affiliation or connection to the campus community. Participate in case management
• Provide leadership and active participation in supporting outreach and services for the Summer Forge and Winter Forge programs, under-represented and prepared student populations. Assist in the development of strategies to improve retention among students from underrepresented groups while building a strong relationship with other campus offices.
• Collaborate with Student Financial Services to complete CSS Profile and FASFA applications to determine appropriate financial awards and packages. Review for possible inclusion in office centrally administered financial aid. Advise students on scholarships and other financial initiatives.
• Serve on University committees. Review materials sent from Advising, General Education Office, and other campus areas in order to provide accurate and updated information to students. Regular collaboration with campus partners to discuss student and policy concerns. Provide information identifying common barriers or challenges to the director in order to determine appropriate intervention as well as to develop proactive means to minimize similar future problems.
• Active outreach and provide support for students who recently returned from a leave of absence. Meet with individual students to make sure that they are well prepared for the semester, discuss possible challenges upon their return, and connect them to the appropriate campus offices for support. Work with other campus support divisions, such as the Office of Student Advocacy and Support, to determine additional support needed for student success.
• Some evening or weekend work is expected during new student orientation and during the semesters to conduct workshops and meet with students.
  Qualifications