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About Westfield State University:
In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.
Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.
Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member
You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.
Our Values
Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.
- Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
- Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
- Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
- Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
- Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
- Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.
Job Description: Campus Title: Success Coach
State Job Title: Staff Assistant
Department: Academic Affairs (Course Achievement Center)
Job Code: HA5600
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding: 1596-2439 Grant Funded
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary with possibility of extension
Timeframe: 36 Weeks / Grant ends 9/19/2026
Shift: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday - An occasional night or weekend shift may be required.
Supervision Received: Direct supervision received from the Assistant Director of Success Coaching
Supervision Exercised: None
Salary: $50,500 to $53,500 Annually (this will be prorated for the number of weeks worked)
There will be 4 hires from this one posting. General Statement of Duties: Established in January 2022, the Course Achievement Center became the haven for students seeking academic support. The Course Achievement Center's mission is to connect every Westfield State student to opportunities fostering their academic growth and empowerment and form a circle of care around each student, supporting them in achieving their goals at Westfield State and beyond.
The State University SUCCESS initiative has provided the opportunity to expand the services provided by the Course Achievement Center to include success coaching. Westfield State's team of professional success coaches will help students define their goals, identify their values, and create a vision for their future. This work involves developing personalized plans and strategies to achieve those goals, considering the students' strengths and weaknesses. As change managers, success coaches help students identify and overcome limiting beliefs, habits, and behaviors that may be hindering their progress. Each success coach provides encouragement, accountability, and guidance throughout the coaching journey. The Senior Success Coordinator will lead a team of success coaches and provide holistic support to a caseload of students.
Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include but not limited to:
Essential: - Provide holistic support to a caseload of undergraduate students in defining their educational goals, identifying their core values, and creating a vision for their future; provide guidance on university policies, academic programs, and institutional resources.
- Develop personalized academic plans for a diverse student population; monitor academic progress and provide encouragement, accountability, and guidance through key academic processes to support student success and retention; maintain up-to-date documentation of outreach and intervention provided to assigned caseload.
- Connect students with relevant resources, tools, and support networks that can help them succeed; implement strategic initiatives for success to support students identified as in need by an early alert system.
- Design, coordinate, and deliver an outreach and communication plan for all undergraduate students with a focus on persistence, retention, and success.
- Stay current with University policies and procedures related to admissions, enrollment, and degree completion.
- Advocate for students by identifying barriers to success and making appropriate referrals to campus resources, ensuring continued support through resolution.
- Build and maintain trusting, supportive, and collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and key campus stakeholders.
- Maintain up-to-date documentation of outreach and intervention provided to assigned caseload.
- Represent the Course Achievement Center on University-wide committees and at institutional meetings.
- Engage in professional development through professional associations such as the National Tutoring Association (NTA) and/or the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) to stay current with best practices.
- Provide advocacy to the Committee on Academic Standing at the end of the term if a student on Academic Warning is placed on dismissal/suspension.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements: Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, education, or other degree with commensurate experience in academic support area.
- Professional interest in supporting a diverse student population.
- Ability to quickly learn and understand software programs with an emphasis on Starfish and Banner Ellucian.
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to show empathy and compassion.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating strong organizational skills, initiative, and attention to detail.
- Commitment to student-centered practices.
- Knowledge of FERPA and ability to handle sensitive student information confidentially.
- Experience creating and delivering presentations, workshops, and training sessions.
- Proficiency in data management and reporting systems; ability to interpret and report on student outcomes.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekend.
Preferred Qualifications: - Experience in student-facing roles such as academic advising, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, or similar support services.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
Additional Information: Salary: Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage .
Employee Benefits: Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.
- Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
- Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
- Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
- Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
- Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage .
Disability Accommodations Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.
Background Check Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.
Application Instructions: An on-line application is required. The successful candidate must submit an official transcript at the time of hire. Interested candidates should electronically attach the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Contact information for three references *
- Copy of unofficial transcript of highest degree
* Provide the contact information for reference providers in the reference section of the online application.
Deadline: The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalists have been selected.
NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk . The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.
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Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Local area, Immediate start, Monday to Friday, Shift work, Night shift, Afternoon shift,