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Location

West Chester, PA | United States

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Job description

Position Summary

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Academic Support & Advocacy invites applications for the position of Student Success Advocate.

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania.  We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with generous retirement plans; many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Advocacy, Student Success Advocate supports student success and engagement by providing targeted case management services for students with academic progress concerns. The Advocates regularly engage with students to help them navigate WCU experiences, advocate on their behalf to meet their unique needs and goals and collaborate to offer holistic coordinated care with campus partners. 

This position is responsible for understanding diverse student experiences and identifying process improvements while promoting retention and academic success.

Responsibilities include:

• Advocate on behalf of students to meet their unique needs and goals
• Research student records and meet with students facing persistent challenges, academic progression concerns or graduation concerns, to assess barriers
• Connect students to campus resources including books, pantry, food, housing, financial aid, bursar, tutoring (LARC), and housing to provide coordinated care
• Assist students in the management of complex processes including NG grades, SAP appeals, dismissal appeals, petitions for exception to policy, and academic forgiveness
• Utilize technology, such as the Navigate Student Success Platform, to understand student profiles, engage students, and document meetings and summarize assignments
• Meet with students (via a combination of in-person and virtual appointments) to discuss and resolve challenges
• Collaborate and communicate with campus partners regarding student care strategies and outcomes
• Engage in daily communication with individual students and cohorts critical to the University’s commitment to student success and engagement
• Utilize student data to identify opportunities for outreach and support
• Participate and carry out programming within Academic Support & Advocacy (ASA) center to meet student, specific populations, and operational needs as needed
• Identify continual process improvements to the student experience using campaign outcomes, challenges, and opportunities 
• Comply with and represent the university in compliance with federal and institutional policies and guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Provide FERPA training and promote FERPA in all interactions with WCU Staff faculty, students, and families

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of one year experience supporting students 
• Experience developing communications to support student engagement

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education experience
• Experience working in student advising and/or enrollment management 
• Experience using student information systems such as Navigate and Banner
• Experience working with diverse student populations
• Knowledge of compliance reporting such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and/or local and federal regulations regarding higher education records and privacy
• Experience coordinating events, activities, and/or initiatives

Special Instructions

Ask about opportunities to work from home and alternate work schedules.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Candidates should apply online at  . Application materials must include a resume, cover letter and references (all required for consideration).

Applicants must successfully complete the application and interview process to be considered as a finalist.

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU’s educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

About West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania is among the top regional comprehensive public universities in the nation, serving more than 17,500 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a national reputation for excellence, value, and student success. Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester offers more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the Philadelphia campus, and online. Five colleges and two schools comprise the University: Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the School of Music, and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Located in Chester County (25 miles from downtown Philadelphia) the area combines the best of enjoyable daily living with easy access to the full spectrum of country and city attractions. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

Connections working at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

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