Bryan College Online Student Success Coach/Advisor

Position Summary

The mission of academic advising at Bryan College is to assist students in their growth and development by constructing meaningful educational plans, which are compatible with their life goals. It is a continuous and consistent process, which is built upon the basis of frequent, accumulated personal contacts between advisor and advisee. Effective student success coaching and academic advising is the cornerstone of Bryan College Online (BCO). Excellent academic programs will not accomplish the desired end result if students are not properly guided, counseled, and supported. As a Christian institution of higher learning where our mission is “educating students to become servants of Christ to make a difference in today’s world,” it is part of our mission to provide sensitive and thoughtful support to our students as they negotiate the many choices open to them. Thus, academic advising fosters the development of the whole student who is a self-directed, motivated, responsible decision-maker and encourages the successful completion of degree requirements and timely graduation.

Reports to: Executive Director of Bryan College Online

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred.
  
  

Experience Required

• Strong understanding of effective customer service skills.
• Strong general computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Office Suite. Ability to quickly learn new systems including SIS systems, CRM Systems, and Brightspace D2L.
• Ability to handle information in a confidential and professional manner.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
  
  

Duties

Role

The student success coach/advisor’s role is an active rather than a passive one and the process of advising requires the following objectives to be met for each student assigned as an advisee:

• Provide quality academic advising plans to assigned caseload of BCO students of various academic majors during the academic year. Majors could include both undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Proactively identify students who may be “at risk” and need additional support and provide routine support.
• Help students define and develop realistic educational career plans through schedule planning for each semester and over the course of their academic journey.
• Communicate with advisees once they are accepted to assist with requirements and expectations of responsibilities as students.
• Log all communication in designated systems so that continuous support can be provided to students.
• Lead orientation sessions for incoming students at on a term and semester basis.
• Register students for courses each semester through our Student Information System (SIS). Communicate options for completing their degrees depending on their individual needs, background, and prior collegiate experience.
• Track advisees’ progress towards degree completion. Ensure all graduation requirements are met so that students are cleared by the Registrar for graduation.
• Develop a communication plan and be proactive in regular communication with advisees each semester while tracking progress.
• Develop an individual graduation plan for each student by determining any recommended prerequisites that will ensure student success as well as meet degree completion requirements.
• Inform and, if necessary, refer students to institutional resources when academic, attendance, or other personal problems require intervention by other professionals. (e.g., Academic Resource Center, Writing Center, Career Services, )
  
  

Additional Responsibilities As Needed To Assist BCO.

Desired Qualities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Information

Language Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with various constituents.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to motivate and create understanding among people.
  
  

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to manage multiple projects with a high level of accuracy in a fast paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to handle large volumes of work and accurately track multifarious details.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed tasks.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
  
  

Other Information

• While this position does work with students in our online programs and is housed in the Bryan College Online Department, this position is based on our campus in Dayton, TN.
• Selected candidate should be prepared to work a Monday through Friday schedule on campus. The hours may vary and could include some evening hours, depending on the needs of the department and students.