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Student Success Professional

Position Number: 6267723
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Academic Advising

Student Success Professional

Salary Range:

Low to Mid 50s

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Office of Student Success and Retention (SSR) strives to empower undergraduate students to succeed from the beginning of their academic journey until graduation. Success coaching, strategic outreach, and collaboration with other campus offices are just a few ways that SSR guides students in navigating obstacles. With a focus on ensuring a positive student experience, SSR is dedicated to helping students thrive and succeed at SMU.

SSR reports to the Assistant Provost of Undergraduate Education and Academic Success (UEAS) within the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) at SMU. SAES is a division within the Office of the Provost at SMU that oversees a wide range of academic support and engagement offices and initiatives. Our office strives to enrich the Mustang experience both inside and outside the classroom. Dedicated to facilitating student engagement and academic achievement, SAES connects students to resources that allow them to thrive on and off campus.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

As part of the Office of Student Success & Retention, the Student Success Professional will help undergraduate students navigate campus resources and resolve issues as part of a coordinated effort to improve students' experience and persist to graduation. This position will practice data-driven outreach and proactive resource referral to meet the needs of students. This position will help with a range of initiatives focused on students' academic success, including first-years, those returning from leave, and others identified as at-risk. The position will generate data and reports to help identify barriers to student satisfaction, academic progression, & retention. The Student Success Professional will provide mentorship and daily academic success coaching to students to support their academic pursuits. They will also assist with many efforts in partnership with student affairs, student financial services, academic affairs, and other campus areas.

Essential Functions:

Provide academic coaching and problem solving for students. Analyzing data such as early/midterm progress reports, academic standing reports, alerts from concerned faculty/staff, and other communications where students' retention and progress is of concern. This will involve outreach, meeting with students individually, and discussing options on how they can remain at SMU and progress toward graduation.
Identify, outreach, and counsel students who are at risk of leaving the University and intervene utilizing appropriate contacts and coaching methods to enhance the likelihood of successful problem resolution toward retaining students. Assist in the development of proactive programs for students with limited affiliation or connection to the campus community. Participate in case management
Provide leadership and active participation in supporting outreach and services for the Summer Forge and Winter Forge programs, under-represented and prepared student populations. Assist in the development of strategies to improve retention among students from underrepresented groups while building a strong relationship with other campus offices.
Collaborate with Student Financial Services to complete CSS Profile and FASFA applications to determine appropriate financial awards and packages. Review for possible inclusion in office centrally administered financial aid. Advise students on scholarships and other financial initiatives.
Serve on University committees. Review materials sent from Advising, General Education Office, and other campus areas in order to provide accurate and updated information to students. Regular collaboration with campus partners to discuss student and policy concerns. Provide information identifying common barriers or challenges to the director in order to determine appropriate intervention as well as to develop proactive means to minimize similar future problems.
Active outreach and provide support for students who recently returned from a leave of absence. Meet with individual students to make sure that they are well prepared for the semester, discuss possible challenges upon their return, and connect them to the appropriate campus offices for support. Work with other campus support divisions, such as the Office of Student Advocacy and Support, to determine additional support needed for student success.
Some evening or weekend work is expected during new student orientation and during the semesters to conduct workshops and meet with students.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred. A degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related area is preferred.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience is required. Professional work experience is required, which may include graduate assistant positions. Required experience may be in counseling, advising, or student success-related areas in a higher education setting (4 year or 2 year). Experience in meeting the academic support needs of a wide variety of students, including first generation, low Income, transfer, academically at risk or any other underrepresented group of students is preferred.

Specialized training or certification in goal setting, academic or life coaching is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills and establish and maintain working relationships with a range of diverse constituencies. Must have the ability to communicate with students to set and accomplish goals. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills and be a good listener and empathetic to student needs.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate must have the ability to utilize data to inform decisions.

Candidate familiarity with academic advising or student financial services and understanding of factors that drive retention is a plus.

Candidate must possess a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with software used in data collection (Excel, PeopleSoft, Qualtrics) is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Stand

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 18, 2025.

Application deadline is June 25, 2025.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Student Services

Organization: Provost - Other

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: May 30, 2025, 6:20:19 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=PRO00000331&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC