ADVANCE Academic Coach

George Mason University•Fairfax, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

ADVANCE is an exciting dual-admission transfer partnership launched in 2018 between Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and George Mason University that gives participating students targeted, personalized support to complete their bachelor's degrees in a timely manner and save money. Students also benefit from tailored coaching, aligned Academic Pathways, seamless credit transfer, and access to George Mason’s facilities and student life. The ADVANCE Academic Coach provides multiple layers of holistic support for students pursuing higher education. Guides and encourages the growth and development of each student’s knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs about their ability to succeed in higher education as well as within their chosen field. Discusses all aspects of a student’s life that impact their academic performance. This is a hybrid position in which coaches will work on the George Mason Fairfax campus and NOVA Loudoun campus. While the Academic Coach position serves both NOVA and George Mason, the position is formally housed within the Division for Enrollment Management at George Mason University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated professional experience (typically one or more years) in one or more of the following areas: academic advising, student success coaching, orientation, disability services, veteran’s services, career services, student involvement, or student rights and responsibilities
Experience serving and supporting diverse student populations
Demonstrated successful work experience in student affairs, student services, or higher education Administration
Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising and student support services in higher education
Skill in effective written and verbal communication, with a strong student service orientation
Ability to analyze and solve problems, coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events
Ability to analyze course prerequisites, degree progress, and graduation requirements
Ability to work successfully with special student populations including, but not limited to, first-generation, veteran, low-income, adult, and underrepresented students
Ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to analyze problem situations, identify feasible solutions, and present recommendations in a concise, logical, and systematic manner
Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of issues affecting the academic achievement, retention, and success of students from diverse backgrounds
Proficiency with educational database management systems, constituent relationship management (CRM) software, and/or student information systems.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in related field
Success Coaching certification or related professional training
Experience working with transfer students, particularly adult degree completers
Prior experience with educational database management systems and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Navigate, Slate)
Demonstrated experience with leadership, communication, program development, and administrative responsibilities
Experience applying success coaching methodologies within an academic advising context
Familiarity with cognitive development theory of college-age students and/or career development theory
Familiarity with program development, assessment, and continuous improvement processes
Demonstrated skill in effectively managing academic student success programs and services.

Responsibilities

Focuses primarily on the execution of student support for the ADVANCE program
Provides holistic support for their assigned caseload of students and is available for the duration of students' time at NOVA as needed, by using the university's chosen methodology in the eight focus areas of development (academics and major fit, school community, managing commitments, effectiveness, commitment to graduation, career exploration, finances, and health and support)
Provides academic advising for ADVANCE students while at NOVA, using NOVA resources and the ADVANCE academic pathway plan
Assists with students' career exploration and major fit processes to achieve academic and career goals, as well as identifies barriers to success and helps students implement strategies to overcome them
Provides guidance to students on how to navigate the ADVANCE program and how to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them through their participation
Monitors student progress and performance, analyzes problem areas, determines solutions, and conducts intervention activities and processes for students
Meets with and provides success strategies to students
Manages outreach and support efforts to students with a variety of academic and personal development skills necessary to achieve student success
Assists and supports all retention related efforts within the school/college to support success and retention efforts, while implementing interventions to improve student retention
Collaborates with academic advisors and other stakeholders to support student success
Provides appropriate, accurate, and timely referrals for students
Participates in outreach efforts related to the ADVANCE program
Participates in university wide foundational coaching training and ongoing professional development
Utilizes the chosen university platform for tracking and reporting student interactions and making referrals
Performs other related duties as deemed appropriate by the supervisor and/or their superiors.