Student Success Coordinator, Academic Affairs and Student Success – UT System

Student Success Coordinator, Academic Affairs and Student Success – UT System
MR 12

About the UT System
The University of Tennessee is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, and Pulaski; the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Space Institute at Tullahoma; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service.

The UT System has a presence in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations, and citizens statewide.

The University of Tennessee System, through its multiple campuses and institutes, serves the people of Tennessee and beyond through the discovery, communication, and application of knowledge. The System is committed to providing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs in a diverse learning environment that prepares students to be leaders in a global society. The UT System’s delivery of education, discovery, outreach, and public service contributes to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of all Tennesseans.

The Opportunity
This position is an integral function in support of the University's mission and focus on access, academic persistence, bolstering retention rates, and degree completion. This position is responsible for 1) providing leadership for the UT Promise program and 2) supporting student success initiatives across the UT System as a representative of the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success (AA&SS). Reporting to the Director of Student Success, this position will serve as the primary system liaison for the UT campuses with the UT Promise program. The Student Success Coordinator will work in collaboration with other system and campus colleagues (e.g., financial aid, admissions, student affairs, enrollment leaders, IT) to ensure successful administration of UT Promise including program administration, promotion, event coordination, systemwide trainings, relationship-building with mentors and students, program assessment and reporting, and program improvements. A significant component of this role will be coordination with statewide partners such as tnAchieves and the Ayers Foundation. Additionally, the Student Success Coordinator will develop a knowledge of current and relevant student success issues impacting higher education students and will work closely with the Director of Student Success to strategically assess and improve the UT student experience. To accomplish this work, the Student Success Coordinator will prioritize relationship-building with UT campus partners and external constituents and actively engage with individuals to understand factors that affect the student experience, including retention, satisfaction, engagement, graduation, belonging and more.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• UT Promise Coordination:

• Work in collaboration with system and campus partners to effectively ensure program coordination with UT campuses and other stakeholders including communication, trainings, and technology support.
• Assist with vendor selection, coordination, and implementation of UT Promise technology solutions across campuses.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all UT Promise students, mentors, campus coordinators, and stakeholders.
• Provide leadership for the development of program enhancements, strategies, and policies.
• Coordinate campus visits, as appropriate, coordinate UT Promise Tour in collaboration with the office of communications and marketing and the office of the president.
• Recruit, train, and support mentors.
• Respond to student and mentor inquiries in a timely and professional manner, direct students and mentors to appropriate system and campus resources.
• Prepare regular UT Promise reports for stakeholders, including program updates, upon request.
• Track student success within and beyond the program.
• Based on feedback received from students, mentors, and campus administrators, improve UT Promise best practices.
• Work to increase program retention and satisfaction for students and mentors.

• Student Success Coordination:

• Develop expertise and knowledge of student success topics and barriers that are timely and critical for UT campuses and focus (e.g., student mental health, food insecurity and basic needs, skill gaps, campus engagement, academic preparedness, belonging).
• Develop expertise and knowledge of the needs and experiences of underserved and underrepresented student populations (e.g., first generation, transfer, veterans, adult learners, racial/ethnic minorities) and explore innovative strategies and best practices to enhance their experience at UT.
• Build relationships with student affairs, enrollment management, financial aid, Registrar’s Offices and student success personnel on UT campuses.
• Identify ways the Office of AA&SS can support and add value to their work.
• Regularly collaborate with the Director of Student Success to ensure the success of new and ongoing student success programming; propose innovative solutions to campus-specific and systemwide challenges impacting student success.
• Assist in the tracking, analysis, and reporting of student success metrics and resources.
• Advocate for UT students as a representative of the Office of AA&SS.

• Statewide Programming and Event Planning:

• Assist in the coordination of statewide programming activities (e.g., UT Promise Tour) and initiatives, including the annual AA&SS Summit, annual Board of Trustee meetings, and others.

The Student Success Coordinator will support a culture of engagement and belonging by treating others with dignity and respect at all times, and by exhibiting conduct that reflects a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The successful candidate is expected to contribute in measurable ways to the systemwide mission and fully embrace the systemwide Be One UT Values.

Qualification Statement:
Research has shown that many candidates (specifically, women and minorities) disqualify themselves from positions if they feel that they don’t meet every single qualification listed in the job description. At UTSA, we recognize that talent is not solely related to job history and that skills from personal and professional experiences are valuable but not always reflected on a resume. If you are excited to make a positive and impactful contribution at our university, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for UTSA, in this role or perhaps another.

Requirements for Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Public Administration, Public Policy, Leadership or related academic discipline.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience.
• Experience working in related student and/or academic support areas (e.g., student success, financial aid, advising, enrollment management, registrar’s office, government relations) at a comparable university campus or system.
• Experience with program assessment that includes the development of learning outcomes.
• Experience with program coordination, public speaking, and event planning
• Proficiency with web services technology (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams), contemporary communication technology (e.g., Microsoft Office/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook), and cloud-based platforms (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive)
• A familiarity with systems and technologies used in data collection and analysis and strategic planning.
• Energetic colleague and team member with outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and an ability to work with multiple institutional representatives, private agencies, and government contacts.
• Able to build relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders including faculty, staff and administrators, students, and statewide partners.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, sometimes with ambiguity.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with precision and efficiency.
• An adherence and commitment to FERPA regulations and practices consistent with confidentiality of student and institutional records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Experience working in a higher education system office.
• Experience working in a registrar’s office or financial aid office.
• Familiarity with student information systems and other technologies
• Familiarity with Tennessee higher education including relevant issues and policies, and governance structure.
• Experience with higher education policy studies and educational research methods, including use of quantitative and qualitative statistical software.

Application Process
For full consideration applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, resume and three references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience within the market range.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/