Student Success Advocate

The Student Success Center at Penn State University’s University Park Campus is seeking a Student Success Advocate to implement and evaluate programs that support students and fulfill the University’s strategic goals in the areas of retention, graduation, and closing persistence and achievement gaps. The Student Success Advocate will provide advocacy, and academic and life skills coaching for students participating in the center’s programs and initiatives. As a member of the Student Success Center team, the Student Success Advocate will work to build and maintain partnerships with various student support offices, academic advisors, and faculty from across the colleges at University Park, Commonwealth Campuses, and World Campus in an effort to deliver integrated support. The Student Success Advocate will work in concert with the Success Center Staff to support the implementation of current and future initiatives related to student success. They will assist with maintaining records, preparing digital and print communication materials, preparing annual reports, and developing strategic goals and initiatives.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate program services for specialized populations and recommend program enhancements
• Develop success plans in conjunction with assigned students to encourage informed action
• Connect with students and key University contacts to coordinate programming
• Serve as a liaison with other offices to provide advice and guidance regarding student services
• Maintain student records of student cases in the applicable online case management systems
• Review reports/records to determine the need for specialized services (e.g., complete Penn State financial scholarship)
• Contribute to the development of forms, intake procedures, scheduling of services, and record-keeping
• Determine appropriate action to take on referred cases in conjunction with center staff
• Assist in the review and development of policies, procedures, and training to support the efficiency of the center
• Assess outcomes and develop strategies for improving services, programs, facilities, and communication in conjunction with Student Success Center staff
• Provide outreach and education with appropriate university and off-campus constituents
• Oversee the hiring and training of potential work-study students and graduate students and provide input for performance evaluations in collaboration with the center’s Director
• Prepare digital and print communication materials
• Collaborate with the Student Success Center team on developing annual reports and future strategic goals and initiatives
• May oversee the daily operations for office/area and/or assigned facilities including supervision and training of lower-level staff and student interns
• Contribute to Student Success Center policies and procedures
• Coordinate programs and services for specialized groups, including first-generation undergraduate students
• Other related duties as assigned

Review of applications will begin after 1/17/22 and will continue until the position is filled. This position requires a Master’s degree or higher plus three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential qualities and skills include, but are not limited to, case management, student support, understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations, excellent public speaking and communication abilities, high energy and creativity, capacity to work with others, ability to solve problems, experience in the application of technology to support student success, and sound judgment.

The successful candidate must be innovative and collaborative and have demonstrated success in developing data-informed strategies for programs and services.

Preferred skills and experience include administrating financial aid award packages or equivalent knowledge of the allocation of federal and state financial aid at the undergraduate level and/or prior experience with academic advising, academic coaching, or career coaching.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and build interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to build successful relationships with colleagues, students, faculty, and staff
• Must be dependable and committed to the University and the success of its students
• Demonstrated confidence in facilitating large and small scale presentations
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrated computer proficiency (word processing, spreadsheets, database systems, etc.)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume
2. A cover letter that specifically addresses how your background aligns with the educational and experience requirements as well as the essential qualities and skills of the position
3. List of three professional references

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

Apply online at: https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Staff/job/University-Park-Campus/Student-Success-Advocate_REQ_0000023949-1

To review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters and policies, please go to https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports, which will also explain how to request a paper copy of the Annual Security Report.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.