"Promise Coach"

Job Details

Job Description

Muskegon Community College

Muskegon Community College is a center for lifelong learning that helps people attain their educational goals by offering programs that respond to individual, community, and global needs. MCC is an associate degree-granting institution of higher education and an applied technology leader for high-tech, hands-on training.

With nearly a 100-year history of academic excellence, MCC is a public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With robust student success support, free tutoring, 18 athletic teams, events, clubs, and activities, MCC has an annual, full-time equated student enrollment of approximately 2,300 and an unduplicated headcount of 5,100.

Most recently, Muskegon Community College outranked all other colleges in Michigan for the rate of students who received federal financial aid and then transferred to continue their education at a four-year institution. The college’s transfer-out rate was the highest in Michigan, 7 percentage points above the state average, and outpaced the average transfer rate across the nation. MCC is nationally recognized for its liberal arts and occupational programs.

The College has an annual operating budget (general fund) of $44 million and employs about 210 regular full and part-time staff and many adjunct faculty and student assistants. The College also offers 56 Associate degree programs and 29 certificate programs.

The main campus is located on a 111-acre campus in Muskegon which includes the Hendrik Meijer Library & Information Technology Center, Bartels-Rode Gymnasium, Frauenthal Foundation Fine Arts Center (including the Overbrook Theater and Art Gallery), Stevenson Center for Higher Education, the Science Center, the Health and Wellness Center, and the Art & Music Center.

Muskegon Community College also operates the Sturrus Technology Center and Fab Lab in downtown Muskegon and extension centers in Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Winter Sports Complex and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high-speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D-Day.

General Description:

The Promise Coach provides individualized guidance and proactive support for Muskegon Area Promise Scholars. Grounded in the Promise Zone MOU, the Coach ensures that students have equitable access to the resources, mentoring, and interventions necessary to persist, complete, and succeed in postsecondary education. The Coach works directly with Promise Scholars to navigate admissions, FAFSA and financial aid processes, registration, and ongoing challenges that impact enrollment and retention. Coaches triage issues, connect students with essential resources (tutoring, financial literacy, counseling, transportation, housing, and basic needs), and provide tiered support based on student risk factors.

Promise Coaches play a critical role in persistence, completion, and post-college success, ensuring that Promise Scholars graduate, transfer, or enter the workforce prepared for long-term achievement.

Status: Full-Time 40 hours/52 weeks

Salary Range: Up to $24.00/hr depending on experience

Application Deadline: Open until filled; First Review on October 20th, 2025

Required Skills

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• Higher education experience preferred; prior experience with coaching/advising first-generation or underrepresented students strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds, including those facing barriers such as food insecurity, housing instability, and financial hardship.
• Demonstrated success in proactive student outreach and case management.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills with ability to inspire student confidence and persistence.
• Ability to manage confidential information and exercise discretion and judgment.
• Proficiency in office technology (Outlook, Excel, Word), student information systems (Colleague/Advise preferred), and learning platforms (LMS).
• Knowledge of FAFSA, scholarships, and financial aid procedures.
• Strong organizational and data tracking skills; ability to meet state and grant compliance requirements.
• Highly motivated, student-centered, and solution-oriented, with a strong commitment to the college’s mission and Promise Zone goals.

Essential Function:

• Provide proactive, tiered coaching aligned to the Promise MOU:
  • Tier 1 (Universal Support): Drop-in coaching, pathways advising, mentoring, and tutoring for students in good standing.
  • Tier 2 (Moderate Support): Regular engagement with first-generation and at-risk students; holistic interventions to address academic and life barriers; support with FAFSA/financial aid and registration.
  • Tier 3 (Intensive Support): Monthly one-on-one interactions for students on SAP probation or suspension; up to four documented meetings per probationary period.
• Monitor academic progress and persistence, including enrollment, credit accumulation, and credential progress.
• Conduct proactive outreach—especially during the first semester—to build student belonging and connection.
• Assist students with admissions, FAFSA/verification, scholarship processes, and financial literacy.
• Support students in accessing community resources for transportation, childcare, housing, food insecurity, and mental/physical health.
• Facilitate small-group activities, workshops, or events that build Promise Scholar community and self-efficacy.
• Document coaching interactions, interventions, and outcomes; provide required data for institutional and Promise Zone reporting.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to improve student outcomes.
• Participate in annual program review with the Promise Zone and college leadership to evaluate coaching impact and refine support strategies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

• Detailed Work
• Student Contact
• Problem Situations
• Confidentiality
• Continual Interruptions
• Working Alone
• Faculty Contact
• Working with Others

Physical Demands:

• Standing & Walking
• Sitting
• Lifting up to 10 lbs.
• Handle or Feel
• Talking or hearing
• Speak in English via Phone or In Person
• Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

• Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Occasional travel across campus locations.

Muskegon Community College is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply. To the extent required by applicable law, anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.

Job Location Muskegon, Michigan, United States

Position Type Full-Time/Regular