Project Director/Academic Success Coach, Student Support Services

Project Director/Academic Success Coach, Student Support Services

Company:
Northwest Missouri State University

Job Location:
(empty)

Category:
Student Affairs and Services

Type:
Full-Time

PRIMARY DUTY:
The Program Director of Student Support Services (SSS) provides strategic leadership, oversight, and day-to-day management of Northwest’s federally funded TRIO SSS program. The SSS program supports 180 eligible students demonstrating academic need who are first-generation, low-income, or have documented disabilities. This role is responsible for critical program and grant management functions, including participant recruitment, selection, assessment, and engagement; delivering effective support services; maintaining compliance with federal regulations; and using data to drive continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide leadership for the SSS program to ensure strong student engagement, effective program services, and progress toward program outcomes.
2. Develop and execute assessments of all program components to monitor progress towards objectives, guide data-informed improvements, and adapt as needed to enhance outcomes for program participants.
3. Oversee recruitment, selection, planning and implementation of Summer Bridge program, and continued engagement of 180 program participants annually, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and supporting long-term student retention and success.
4. As Academic Success Coach, assess and monitor the academic, social, personal and career progress of 90 project participants and meet individually with project participants to discuss, identify and address possible barriers to completing an undergraduate degree.
5. Maintain Project Database and ensure timely, accurate submission of compliance reports to the Department of Education, including documentation of student participation and budget expenditures, in full accordance with federal requirements.
6. Supervise SSS professional staff and student mentors through clear goal setting, regular feedback, formal performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities, while fostering a student-centered, collaborative team environment focused on achieving program outcomes.
7. Serve as liaison between students and university professional staff and employees. Collaborate with campus service providers to conduct workshops and events and encourage program participants to fully utilize all available support.
8. Work with the Trio Specialist to develop and manage the program budget to ensure compliant, effective use of federal funds. Monitor expenditures, coordinate procurement, prepare financial documentation, and maintain financial records in accordance with federal and institutional requirements.
9. Lead completion of Annual Performance Report in collaboration with supervisor
10. Assist supervisor with grant writing
11. Serve on various university committees along with other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Master’s degree in the area of Counseling, Education, Psychology or related field
• Experience: Three years’ experience in a related field
• Skills: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of University and community members

Supplemental Information:

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Office-style setting, some conference and program travel required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises SSS pro-staff and student mentors

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED:
Computer, social media and presentation material

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to lift 20 pounds

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Until filled

DATE AVAILABLE: May 1, 2026

TO APPLY: Follow the steps of the online application process. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email ewilmes@nwmissouri.edu if more information is needed regarding the process.

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