Job Details

Student Success Specialist - 005045
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Position Number: 5864681
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Student Success Specialist - 005045

Western Carolina University

Department: Office of Student Retention

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including: 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The Office of Student Retention implements targeted interventions to support student success that are guided by evidence-based practices and institutional data and analytics. Student Success Specialists contribute to these efforts through individual case-management and coaching services, collaborations with campus partners, a comprehensive knowledge of the academic and support programs of the University, and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice.

Responsibilities include:

Providing academic coaching for at-risk students through early interventions
Teaching the Learning Contract course (LC 101), by coaching students to develop academic and self-management skills for success
Implementing targeted interventions to increase student retention and persistence
Assessing and evaluating retention programming and interventions
Analyzing data from the institution and higher education as a whole to create evidence-based practices
Assisting with academic standing, appeals, term withdrawals, and re-admission after suspension/dismissal
Supporting initiatives to increase semester-to-semester enrollment, decrease time to graduation, and advance the rate of degree completion

Student Success Specialists will assist in the creation and implementation of cross-campus initiatives to support student retention and persistence. As part of a relatively-new office dedicated to supporting students, Student Support Specialists will have the exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the office's vision, to implement the newly created Retention Strategic Plan, and to develop innovative student programming in collaboration with cross-campus partners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications: Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. Masters degree in Education, Teaching, or related field 2 years of experience in education supporting students, including student advising, teaching, or student support services Experience supporting diverse student populations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of WCUs academic policies and on-campus student resources Strong skills in interpersonal/communication, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects Experience using data analytics to design and assess student interventions Strong understanding of current student development theories in practice Experience with EAB Navigate student success management system and Ellucian Banner Student Creative and data-driven problem-solving abilities Strong commitment to student success

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include a cover letter, resume and a list of references with complete contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Mosisah Mavity at pmavity@wcu.edu.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/29583