Academic Success Coach

Job Summary:

The Academic Success Coach provides proactive, individualized coaching to undergraduate students with a focus on retention, persistence, and graduation. Utilizing evidence-based and strengths-based coaching frameworks, the Coach supports students in developing the skills, self-efficacy, and strategies needed to achieve their academic and personal goals. Programmatic responsibilities include coaching students on academic probation, supporting at-risk student populations through early intervention, and participating in outreach activities of the Student Success Center to relevant campus offices including Student Life, Financial Aid, and the Registrar. The Coach actively contributes to campus-wide recruitment and orientation activities as a representative of the Student Success Center.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration, or related field
• 3 or more years experience in higher education student services, academic support / coaching, or a related field
• Experience working directly with undergraduate students in an advising, counseling, or coaching capacity.
• Experience developing individual support or success plans for students

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Education, Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or Communication
• Academic coaching certification or equivalent coaching credential (e.g., ICF, Coaching Academy)
• Experience working with students on academic probation or other at-risk populations

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of student development theory, academic coaching principles, and evidence-based success strategies
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and establish productive coaching relationships with students from diverse backgrounds
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing, strengths-based coaching, and goal-setting frameworks
• Strong interpersonal, written, and electronic communication skills
• Ability to manage a student caseload with proactive outreach and consistent follow-through
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Ability to collect, interpret, and apply student data to coaching practice
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and across campus departments
• Ability to interact professionally with students, staff, faculty, and families from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences

Preferred Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with early alert systems, student information platforms, or CRM tools
• Academic coaching certification or credential
• Experience facilitating workshops or group programming for college students

Representative Job Duties:

• Provide individualized, proactive coaching to an assigned caseload of undergraduate students. Utilize evidence-based and strengths-based coaching approaches to help students set realistic goals, develop personalized success plans, build self-efficacy, and take ownership of their academic journey. Conduct regular check-ins, follow-ups, and outreach via multiple communication channels.
• Meet with students on a regular basis to assess academic progress and address barriers to success including time management, study skills, motivation, and degree completion requirements. Make referrals to appropriate campus support services as needed.
• Develop, implement, and monitor academic intervention plans for students on academic probation and/or financial aid probation. Support student participation in the Student Success Labs program and serve as an instructor or co-facilitator for the Student Success course designed for students on probation. Collaborate with campus partners to support students in returning to good academic standing and making measurable progress toward their degree.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and goal-setting techniques to assist students in identifying challenges, developing resilience, and building a growth mindset. Support students in developing self-regulation skills and strategies specific to their course demands.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all student interactions, coaching session notes, referrals, and progress updates in designated student information systems. Contribute to data collection and reporting on student success outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners across the Student Success Center, academic departments, and student services offices to provide coordinated, holistic support to students and promote integrated student success initiatives. Demonstrate cultural competence and a commitment to equity in serving students from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including first-generation students, students with disabilities, and historically underrepresented populations.
• Develop and facilitate workshops, group coaching sessions, and outreach programming on topics related to academic success, including time management, study strategies, stress management, and goal-setting, in coordination with Student Success Center programs and events.
• Participate in undergraduate recruitment efforts and new student orientation activities as a representative of the Student Success Center, including meetings with prospective students and families as specified by Enrollment Management. Serve on departmental and divisional committees as assigned to contribute to institutional planning and student success initiatives.
• Contribute to training and professional development initiatives for staff, faculty advisors, and peer coaches on best practices in academic coaching and student success strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director, ensuring that projects meet predetermined objectives and deadlines.

Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel:

No travel

Driving:

No Driving

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $62,354

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).