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Position Title:
Student Success Coach - Enrollment and Retention
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Retention Specialist
Job Duties:
Attention:
The Division of Enrollment and Retention at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Student Success Coach (Retention Specialist, AE107).
Position Summary:
The Student Success Coach will work as a team member in a fast-paced workplace focused on customer service and student success. This is a 12-month, full-time position that reports to the Assistant Director of Success Coaching and One Stop. The Student Success Coach will offer holistic student support and guidance with navigating college life. Student Success Coaches will offer and provide individualized meetings and identify resources that support student success at UW-Whitewater academically, personally, socially, and professionally. Student Success Coaches assist students with developing college life skills, help students feel more confident in their abilities, and become more knowledgeable about the resources available to them at UW-Whitewater.
Success Coaches are a primary point of contact that can support, challenge, and hold students accountable through Student Success Coaching sessions. Success Coaches also are a key point for student referrals to other student support services which a Success Coach may not be an expert in. Success Coaching appointments are customized to meet the individualized needs of students and may include topics such as goal setting, time management, organization, stress management, study skills, and helps students identify resources available to them both on and off campus.
Duties:
The following examples of duties and responsibilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.
Success Coaching:
Meet with and provide success strategies to students; manage outreach and support efforts to students with a variety of academic and personal development skills necessary to achieve student success.
Support of daily operations and student support, reporting, and troubleshooting with stakeholders to ensure holistic coaching is provided using the university’s chosen methodology in the focus areas of development (attainment or leaning outcomes, skills & competencies, student engagement & belonging, career preparation, academic achievement & persistence).
Assist with students’ career exploration and major fit processes to achieve academic and career goals, as well as identify barriers to success and help students implement strategies to overcome them.
Assist and support all University retention related efforts and implement new interventions to increase student retention within the Success Coaching program.
Provide appropriate, accurate, and timely referrals for students.
Maintain confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies.
Maintain university-wide and college-specific knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, and resources.
Engage in and implement Success Coaching best practices.
Assist with programming across campus, including but not limited to Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR), Warhawk Preview Days, New Student Seminar, Warhawk Welcome.
Support summer bridge programs and activities, to best model student success coaching and cross-training opportunities.
Administrative Duties:
Develop and maintain professional contacts with comparable UW units, businesses, education institutions, and vendors.
Collaborate with academic advisors and other university stakeholders to support student success.
Serve on university committees that support student success.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and help identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and transfer strategies
- Adheres to the established plan of operation, curriculum, process policy, program procedures, and all other related federal regulations
- Monitors, plans, and facilitates student academic progress, student programming, and success plans
- Communicates, assists, and monitors progress of students
- Makes recommendations to improve retention efforts
- Advocates for campus-wide retention initiatives
- Provides referrals to appropriate campus resources
- May assist with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and/or provide financial aid/scholarship information
- Maintains accurate student records including contact logs, case notes, and files
Department:
Enrollment and Retention - One Stop
Compensation:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $50,000 - $58,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.
Required Qualifications:
Earned master’s degree.
Minimum of five years of experience in a higher education setting such as Admissions Office, Academic Advising Office, Registrar’s Office, Dean of Students Office, academic department, or relatable areas in student support, with at least two years of advising or Success Coaching experience.
Demonstration of excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
Preferred Qualifications:
Earned master’s degree in higher education or closely related field.
Five or more years of advising in a higher education or related experience in student support services.
Knowledge of student information systems and document management systems, including PeopleSoft and Navigate EAB.
Commitment to developing an inclusive and collaborative work environment among faculty, staff, and students.
Commitment to a student-centered approach with the ability to work with a diverse population.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
How to Apply:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
Cover letter/letter of interest
Resume
Names and contact information for three professional references
Contact Information:
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or [email protected].
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Melissa Walton
262-472-1385
[email protected]
To Ensure Consideration:
Applications received by June 17th, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
CAMPUS INFORMATION:
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.
UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
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