Success Coach
ABOUT SMC
Spartanburg Methodist College, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, seeks candidates for positions in a new Student and Professional Development Program. This department will design and develop new programs integrated throughout a student’s academic and co-curricular journey at SMC focused on preparing them academically, personally, and professionally.
Spartanburg Methodist College, founded in 1911, is a private residential liberal arts institution serving a diverse student population (38% first generation, 52% minority, 59% Pell) within the United Methodist Connection. Since its founding as the first co-op school in the nation, SMC has remained dedicated to its mission to connect education and employment. After over 100 years as an Associate Degree granting institution, the college launched its first bachelor’s degree in 2019. Today, the college’s emphasis on education and employment includes a unique professional development concentration comprised of eight required courses for students seeking associate and bachelor’s degrees.
SMC is growing significantly, adding new programs, and consistently evaluating operations as a result of a campus-wide commitment to innovation and a passion for designing all campus programs to serve the student population intentionally. SMC is committed to its student demographic and believes that global impact is possible through their success. The new Student and Professional Development Program is a result of that enrollment growth, innovation, and commitment to the student’s success. SMC is excited to welcome new mission focused, creative, change agents to the team.
SUCCESS COACH JOB DESCRIPTION
All employees of Spartanburg Methodist College are entrusted with assisting the College to achieve its vision and mission. Customer focus, college service, and a willingness to assist as needed are expectations of all employees.
Organizational Responsibilities:
Success Coaches report to the Assistant Director of First Year Programs and Student Success
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Assistant Director for First Year Programs and Student Success, the Success Coach assists in increasing the academic success and retention rate of new students by helping students set and achieve academic, career, and personal goals. Success Coaches work with students throughout their academic career to assist them in discovering, experiencing, and preparing for their career path in a unique blend of career services, first-year programming, and student success. Success Coaches develop programs and meet with students individually to develop targeted strategies for exploring and deciding on academic programs, experiencing introductory career programs, and engaging in the campus community. Success Coaches support students in achieving their goals of degree completion and securing employment after graduation. Success Coaches will monitor established student progress and success markers, and collaborate with academic advisors as needed to support students. Success Coaches contribute to SMC’s strategic goals of preparing career-ready professional prepared graduates, while increasing graduation and retention rates.
Primary Areas of Responsibility:
- Provide coaching, including but not limited, to topics such as academic exploration and planning, career goals, and time management.
- Assist students in identifying and clarifying academic, personal, and career goals and provide ongoing career coaching supporting students as they move from identifying academic and career goals to gaining introductory experiences.
- Conduct workshops, classes, and provide individual assistance with major selection, career planning, introductory career experiences.
- Engage employers in a wide variety of career discovery, student success, and introductory internship programs.
- Establish and monitor student progress and success markers, analyze problem areas and partner with students to develop intervention strategies and solutions.
- Assist in increasing the academic success and retention rate of new students by helping students set and achieve academic, career, and personal goals and connecting them to campus and community resources.
- Meet with students individually to develop targeted strategies addressing retention risks, exploring and deciding on academic programs, engaging in the campus community, completing their degrees, and successfully securing employment.
- Support Fall, Spring, and Summer break programming focused on leadership, academic intervention, and internship preparation.
- Collaborate with academic advisors, faculty and staff to assist students reported through risk notifications providing appropriate referrals for students needing additional support or resources.
- Effectively utilize SMC career tools: Handshake, PathwayU, and StrengthsFinder.
- Implement relevant assessment measures to ensure continuous improvement.
- Leverage technology to connect with and relay information to students.
- Performs other duties as assigned by Assistant Director.
- Provide general support as a part of the Student and Professional Development Department for major campus events, including First-Year Orientation and Commencement.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- General knowledge of a wide variety of career paths and the skills required for them.
- Excellence in oral and written communication.
- Strong organizational talents, ability to multi-task, and effective use of electronic office tools such as Microsoft Teams, shared Google Docs, electronic calendaring, etc.
- Ability to develop appropriate, welcoming, and productive relationships with a diverse student population.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with college constituents and the community.
- Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to create and deliver engaging presentations to small and large groups.
Working Conditions:
This work is typically performed in an office setting and will require significant contact with students, faculty, staff, and the community. The work will include public presentations on and off-campus—some evening and weekend responsibilities.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to move around the campus.
- Manual and physical dexterity and visual acuity needed to operate a computer keyboard and handle paper documents.
- Sufficient near vision acuity to read information appearing on a computer monitor, in handwritten form, and printed on paper.
- Adequate hearing and verbal abilities to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred.
- Relevant student affairs experience and demonstrated experience in student success/retention, orientation/first-year programming, career services, or related work.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a letter of interest, resume and list of three (3) references to:
Director of Human Resources
Spartanburg Methodist College
1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301.
Application materials may also be submitted electronically to dunnj@smcsc.edu.
- Application open until filled.
- Review of applications begins May 18, 2020.
AA/EOE
FLSA: Fulltime, Exempt
Spartanburg Methodist College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any legally protected status in any personnel action regarding the recruiting, hiring, and promotion of faculty and staff members.
This job description provides a representative summary of the nature and responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities which may be modified at any time. The job description is not intended to imply or to create a contract of employment.