Job Details

Student Success Coach

Position Number: 6511760
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Academic Advising

Student Success Coach

Salary Range:

$65,000 - $67,000

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The role will operate within Student Advising and Academic Success (SAAS) at SMU, which encompasses Academic Skill Development, the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center, the University Advising Center, and the Office of Pre-Health Advising. SAAS provides comprehensive academic advising and a broad range of support services, including tutoring and writing centers. It also guides students pursuing pathways to law school and health related pre-professional programs, supports first-generation college students, and offers individualized academic counseling on a variety of topics.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Success Coach provides individualized academic coaching and holistic support to a caseload of approximately transfer 100 students participating in the Dallas County Promise Program, helping them overcome barriers, align academic goals with career pathways, and successfully transition to and through SMU. This role involves close collaboration with internal departments and external partners such as Dallas College and the O'Donnell Foundation to ensure the success of participants. The Success Coach monitors key performance metrics, maintains accurate records, and provides regular reports to assess student progress and program effectiveness. Additionally, the role supports community-building efforts and supervises student workers who contribute to programming and mentoring initiatives.

Essential Functions:

Provide individualized academic coaching and support to a caseload of approximately 100 students, helping them navigate challenges, align academic goals with career aspirations, and identify best-fit majors. Monitor student progress, track key performance metrics, and ensure timely referrals to academic and support services. Maintain detailed records to support proactive interventions.
Ensure accurate cohort coding and provide semesterly reports, collaborating with DES to identify and monitor incoming student cohorts.
Collaborate with Dallas College, UTD, UNT-Dallas, and the O'Donnell Foundation, as well as internal SMU departments, to coordinate student support initiatives. Facilitate workshops, mentorship programs, and referrals to campus resources to ensure a smooth transition and holistic support for students.
Offer programming to help students build community and connect to SMU resources. Support DES with pipeline programming as requested.
Supervise 1-2 student workers who will assist with programming and mentoring.
Travel to various Dallas College campuses will be required.
This position will require weekly evening or weekend work to support student programs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Master's degree is required.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience is required. Experience in academic advising, academic coaching or student support services specifically with transfer students is required. Experience in data tracking and reporting is also required. Experience supervising undergraduate students, and workshop facilitation is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and PeopleSoft if preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Bend, stand
Reach above shoulders

Deadline to Apply:

September 9, 2025

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Student Services

Organization: Provost - Other

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Aug 26, 2025, 2:52:28 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=PRO00000337&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC