Bloom Scholars Program Student Success Coach

Job Description/Position Purpose:

Valparaiso University Bloom Scholars Program seeks two (2) dynamic and engaging Student Success Coaches to work alongside program participants. The Bloom Scholars Program is designed to academically, socially, and culturally support a cohort of students who identify as first-generation or come from a historically underrepresented background. The Coaches will assist Scholars in their transition to Valparaiso University and empower them to identify and achieve their educational, personal, and professional goals through guided coaching sessions. The position extends beyond the traditional academic advising philosophy and takes on a more personal role in encouraging students to be their best selves, keeping students accountable to their personalized success plans. The Student Success Coaches will be integrally involved with many facets of a student’s academic, personal, and future professional success. The Coaches will identify students who may be at risk of failing and/or withdrawing and will proactively work with them and coordinate additional support if needed.

Major Responsibilities:

-Support students in navigating the transition to college, which may include homesickness, self-advocacy, and overcoming personal and/or academic challenges.
-Evaluate and establish any necessary collaborations with other departments or institutions to provide support for the Bloom Scholars students
-Provide one-on-one mentoring on the career exploration process throughout the Bloom Scholars four years by helping them discover and reflect on their personal skills, values, and interests and coaching students to develop and accomplish their personal, academic, and professional goals.
-Monitor student progress towards graduation by extracting, analyzing, and reporting student progress using available databases and resources.
-Develop and host life success workshops (i.e. how to find local housing, how to fill out taxes, how to find a campus/local job, how to reflect on work experiences, etc.)
-Assist students in navigating university policies, procedures, and resources.

Type and Years of Prior Work Experience:

-Required: Bachelor's degree in student personnel and counseling, higher education administration, educational leadership, counseling or related area (or equivalent work experience)
-Preferred: Master’s degree in student personnel and counseling, higher education administration, educational leadership, counseling or related area
-Preferred: Two or more years of relevant experience post-degree completion, preferably in college-level advising, student advocacy, mentoring, or coaching

Other Qualifications:

-The desire and ability to work in a collaborative, team environment.
-A demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity and advanced intercultural competencies.
-An innovative mindset and the ability to operate in a sometimes-ambiguous environment.
-The ability to learn and disseminate detailed information using a high level of interpersonal skills.
-Excellent oral and written communication skills.
-Experience with personal or career development curriculum or programming.
-Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with staff, students, faculty, the public, and other professional contacts.
-Ability to critically assess situations, maintain attention to detail, solve problems, work efficiently under stress, within deadlines, and changing work priorities.

Additional Information:

The position will have a number of moving parts. A successful Student Success Coach will need to be able to prioritize duties and be flexible.

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds.

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, background checks will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

To be considered for this position you must upload:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of 3 professional references
• Answer all the application questions

Please address cover letter to:

Chloe Kiser, Director of Bloom Scholars Program

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana 46383