Doctoral Student Success Coordinator

Overview:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, evangelical graduate school committed to equipping Christian leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically. With nearly 1,400 students across campuses in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and online, Gordon-Conwell's student body represents more than eighty-five denominations and fifty countries. The seminary offers master's and doctoral programs—delivered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese—that combine academic excellence, spiritual formation, and a deep commitment to Scripture. Its 12,000 alumni serve Christ through ministry in the church, the academy, and the workplace. Gordon-Conwell is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the New England Commission of Higher Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Position Summary: In coordination with the Director of Student Success, this full-time, at will position supports the mission of the Seminary Student Services by providing oversight and care of students in doctoral programs. This individual works to provide timely and effective student-focused advocacy and care for doctoral programs.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring Student Progress: (25%)

• Provide welcome calls to help new students acclimate to the appropriate doctoral program experience.
• In collaboration with registration, maintain tracking and communication with students about the progress of their program requirements, such as residencies and thesis-project-dissertation completion using Navigate 360.

• Alert mentors to students who need additional support in their degree progression and writing process.

• Retention Efforts: (25%)

• Proactively communicate with students who have outstanding requirements that could prevent them from moving into the next phase of their program in collaboration with Registration.

• Proactively communicate with students who have account holds that could prevent them from moving into the next phase of their program in collaboration with Students Accounts.
• Monitor students who are beyond their residency phase on the progress of their work 3-4 times per year.
• Proactively reach out to students who are at risk of being withdrawn due to inactivity and/or nearing the end of each phase of the degree-completion process (e.g. D.Min. Program grace period).

• Collaborate with the D.Min. Program Dean, Ph.D. Program Director and staff to support writing efforts of students with retreats, workshops, etc.

• Responding to Student Inquiries: (15%)

• Answer phone, texts and emails and maintain accurate and up-to-date records on student contact in Navigate360.

• Be prepared to answer basic questions regarding the respective doctoral programs and institutional policies related to doctoral programs.

• Student Services Accessibility: (15%) Coordinate with relevant offices to ensure smooth, day-to-day student access to student services. This includes coordinating with other functional teams (i.e., Tech Services, Library, Student Accounts, Registration) to monitor necessary translation, and student-focused presentation of information.

• Orientation: (5%) Collaborate with the D.Min. Program Dean, Ph.D. Program Director and student services staff to support orientations for Doctoral students.
• Events & Hospitality: (10%) Support the doctoral programs in providing a hospitable, student-focused environment for both on campus (residencies, residency events, meals, on-site class meetings, etc.), and off-campus events and course meetings, working in close collaboration with the doctoral teams and other support offices (guest housing, media services, IT, food services, etc.). Participate in orientations, graduations and other relevant seminary functions related to doctoral programs.
• Perform other duties (5%) assigned by the Director in collaboration with doctoral program staff as necessary.

Required Competencies

• Language: The incumbent must be fluent in English and have functional proficiency in one of our other main languages of service (Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Korean); multi-fluency would be helpful.
• Administrative Skills: Exceptional administrative, organizational, and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in short-term and long-term objectives.
• Knowledge and Discernment: Strong analytical and decision-making skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively, problem-solve, and handle emergent situations. Must have meticulous attention to detail. Ability to take initiative in a fast-paced environment is crucial.
• Cultural Intelligence: Commitment to collegiality, diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and serve in a team environment that requires collegiality and regular collaboration across matrixed, multi-campus environment with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and languages.
• Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness: Must have strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and serve in a team environment that requires collegiality and regular collaboration across multiple locations and modalities.
• Technical Knowledge: Ability to leverage industry standard technology and digital resources is required (student management software, communication apps, digital learning platforms). Required competency with Microsoft Office Suite. Proficiency in utilizing web technologies and a readiness to adapt to new database software required
• Student Focus: Must be able to anticipate student needs to identify and remove barriers that hinder providing excellent student success services. Engage appropriate internal or external stakeholders as needed to resolve any issues outside the individual's scope of responsibility. Be equipped with an understanding of the roles and functions of all other departments and how they relate to the requests of the student.
• A clear understanding of the Gordon-Conwell mission, deep personal faith in Christ, and willingness to abide by the Community Life Statement.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, master's degree preferred. Candidates currently pursuing a graduate or postgraduate degree program will also be considered.
• 3 years' experience in student services, customer service, or related fields is preferred.
• Previous experience with databases and Student Information Systems (SIS) and preferably in EAB Navigate 360.

Application Process:

Please apply through Gordon-Conwell's Career Center available here:

Please include these documents in either Microsoft Word or PDF formats:

• A cover letter addressed to Anna Huffman, Director of Student Success, explaining your interest in the position preferred.
• A formal CV that includes the names of at least three references required.

No hard copy materials, please. Opportunities to interview will be made available at the search committee's initiative. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.