"Project Veterans Thrive (TRIO Grant) - Academic Success Advisor (Temporary)"

About the Position

Please Note: Review of applications will begin on November 17, 2025.

This is a temporary, grant-funded position, with an end date of June 30, 2026, with the possibility of reappointment up to a maximum of 3 years.

Project Veterans Thrive, a Student Support Services (SSS) Program, is funded through the TRIO division of the United States Department of Education. The SSS program is a five-year grant (2025-2030). Project Veterans Thrive provides undergraduate veteran students, and their dependents, non-mandated support services, including academic advising, career planning, subject specific tutoring, scholarship guidance, graduate school advising, personal wellness counseling, assistive technology training, academic and personal skills building workshops, financial aid support, and personal finance literacy. The intent of this program is to provide services to increase retention, student GPAs, and graduation rates of military-affiliated students. Project Veterans Thrive provides these enhanced academic support services to 120 students.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide academic advising and personal wellness counseling to participating students. The Academic Success Advisor supports students in completing their post-secondary education by providing targeted advice related to class selection, the development of educational plans, and monitors the academic progress of students in the program. Furthermore, the Academic Success Advisor provides personal wellness counseling to support students in the development of non-cognitive skills including academic & realistic self-appraisal, growth mindset, locus of control, positive self-concept, motivation and long-term goal setting. This position will function as a team member of Project Veterans Thrive and will assist the Project Veterans Thrive Program Coordinator with carrying out the requirements of the grant.

Responsibilities

Direct Services to Students

• Provide academic advising to participants including support with course selection each term and the development of long-term educational plans.
• Provide academic advising related to withdrawals, plans for recovering from academic probation and avoiding academic disqualification.
• Offer advice that takes into consideration students? financial aid status, participation with the Department of Rehabilitation, personal learning preferences, and learning strengths and challenges, as it relates to course load and course selection.
• Closely monitor students? grades and academic progress towards graduation. Monitor barriers to students? ability to enroll or continue to make academic progress (academic holds, financial holds, etc.).
• Attend regular university-wide meetings that support the function of academic advising.
• Develop a close working relationship with the General Education Office and Academic Advising and Career Education (AACE) Office. Collaborate with the Department of Rehabilitation if a student is a client.
• Provide support to students with graduate school applications.

Personal Wellness Counseling

• Provide general educational and emotional support to students as it relates to their academic experience. While wellness counseling is not therapy, the Academic Success Advisor supports students with academic & realistic self-appraisal, growth mindset, locus of control, positive self-concept, anxiety, managing interpersonal conflicts, developing a support network, developing plans of self-support, motivation and long-term goal setting.
• Conduct workshops for students on the above-mentioned topics.
• Conduct trainings for part-time staff on the above-mentioned topics and help facilitate a culture of growth mindset.
• Participate in the development of a nurturing team-focused culture.
• Inform Veteran Student Services Director immediately of participants at risk to harm self or others and submit CARE reports as necessary.

Individual Support Plan Development

• In collaboration with the Program Coordinator, support students in developing Individual Support Plans which serve as a guide for how students should engage with the various services offered by the program, given their unique needs.
• Identify students at risk for not persisting, including using CSUEB?s early alert system in Bay Adviser. Help students revise their support plans accordingly.
• Coordinate with other departments and agencies as needed to support students in finding and making use of additional resources.

Financial Aid Support

• Support students in completing all necessary applications for Financial Aid, including the FAFSA, the CSUEB financial aid verification process, and scholarship applications.
• Support students with completing financial aid appeals as needed.
• Develop a strong working relationship with the Financial Aid Office personnel to maintain understanding of the financial aid process, student requirements for meeting academic progress standards, and required student-submitted financial aid documentation.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• The Academic Success Advisor is expected to keep accurate and timely case notes and maintain accurate student information in program software (Blumen).

Support with Maintenance of Program

• Collaborate with other campus departments including Veteran Student Services, various academic departments, the General Education Office, Academic Advising and Career Education, Housing, and Financial Aid to educate the campus community about Project Veterans Thrive.
• With the Program Coordinator, recruit, interview and select new students to join the program each summer. Attend outreach events for student recruitment as needed.
• Support other program staff with the coordination of the tutoring service and provide subject-specific tutoring if needed.
• Support the work of the Program Coordinator in meeting all programmatic objectives as outlined in the grant.
• Carry out the requirements of the grant and assist the Program Coordinator in monitoring compliance with state and federal regulations, maintaining accurate student records and other administrative tasks as needed.
• Attend TRIO trainings as needed to remain aware of best practices for TRIO service delivery.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of these abilities and knowledge is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
• One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required.
• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field.
• A master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of experience.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge

• General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field.
• General knowledge of individual counseling techniques.
• An understanding of the financial aid process, general student requirements for meeting academic progress standards, and general knowledge of typical graduation.
• Familiarity with grant-funded programs.
• Knowledge of laws and ethics related to counseling.
• Experience providing services to students in a higher education environment, including case management in an academic coaching, counseling, advisor or related role.
• Experience with counseling theory and practice, intake interview techniques, and group facilitation skills.

Skills

• Carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions.
• Competent in working with students in distress, including students with significant mental health challenges and knowledge of related protocols for student and campus safety.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with diverse student, faculty, staff and community members.
• Pro-active problem-solving skills.

Abilities

• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
• Advise students on complex student?related matters and determine appropriate courses of action.
• General competence with software packages such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and academic support software packages.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Personal and/or professional military experience.
• Master?s Degree in Counseling, Educational Psychology, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education or related field.
• Experience working with students with disabilities in a higher education setting strongly preferred.
• Experience working with students with disabilities, low-socioeconomic status, or first-generation college students.
• Previous experience with TRIO programs.
• Specific knowledge of CSUEB requirements for General Education, graduation and financial aid.