Job Details
Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS - 261086
Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS - 261086
Western Carolina University
Department: Accessibility Services
About WCU:
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary:
The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA). The anticipated begin work date is early 2026.
This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.
The Academic Success Coach manages academic programing and proactive services for the TRIO DSSS program within the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). Reporting to the Associate Director of OAR-TRIO DSSS, this grant-funded position serves as a key resource ensuring that all DSSS participants have the support and guidance needed to ensure their academic, personal, and professional success. The Academic and Success Coach will work in collaboration with OAR administrative staff to accomplish unit goals and objectives.
Primary responsibilities include provision of student-centered, strengths-based counseling, mentorship, case management, and proactive interventions to promote academic achievement and enrollment retention. This position also assists in data collection and analysis for grant reporting purposes and assists program directors in meeting and evaluating program outcomes.
The Academic and Success Coach will also work alongside the DSSS and OAR teams as a consultant, serving University faculty and staff to ensure accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with federal mandates, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its amendments (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively with different populations and University constituents, collaborate with all segments of the University in identifying difficulties and barriers for students with disabilities, and provide solutions for problems preventing students with disabilities form achieving their academic potential. Must be a strong advocate for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences.
Willingness and ability to advocate for students in instances when traditional processes and strategies have not met with success. Plus: Experience with TRIO/SSS programs, an understanding of disabilities or neurocognitive differences, and knowledge of student development theories and practices.
This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.
The Academic Success Coach manages academic programing and proactive services for the TRIO DSSS program within the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). Reporting to the Associate Director of OAR-TRIO DSSS, this grant-funded position serves as a key resource ensuring that all DSSS participants have the support and guidance needed to ensure their academic, personal, and professional success. The Academic and Success Coach will work in collaboration with OAR administrative staff to accomplish unit goals and objectives.
Primary responsibilities include provision of student-centered, strengths-based counseling, mentorship, case management, and proactive interventions to promote academic achievement and enrollment retention. This position also assists in data collection and analysis for grant reporting purposes and assists program directors in meeting and evaluating program outcomes.
The Academic and Success Coach will also work alongside the DSSS and OAR teams as a consultant, serving University faculty and staff to ensure accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with federal mandates, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its amendments (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively with different populations and University constituents, collaborate with all segments of the University in identifying difficulties and barriers for students with disabilities, and provide solutions for problems preventing students with disabilities form achieving their academic potential. Must be a strong advocate for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences.
Willingness and ability to advocate for students in instances when traditional processes and strategies have not met with success. Plus: Experience with TRIO/SSS programs, an understanding of disabilities or neurocognitive differences, and knowledge of student development theories and practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
- Minimum of a bachelors degree from an accredited institution in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Disability Studies, Special Education, or a closely related academic field.
- Proven capability to effectively support and engage with students who have diverse backgrounds, learning approaches, and individual needs.
- Professional commitment to maintaining confidentiality and respecting individual differences.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Effective communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience and knowledge of TRIO or similar programs.
- Knowledge of ADHD, learning disabilities, autism and other neurocognitive differences.
- Experience and knowledge of barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences; experience supporting individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences; experience building relationships with individuals with physical or neurocognitive differences.
- Experience creating presentations, workshops, and training programs both in-person and virtually. Experience leading group and individual academic, career, and/or personal coaching.
Position Type: Time-Limited Full-Time
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.
To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references with their complete contact information.
For questions or additional information, please contact Lee Roddick-Brown at lroddick@email.wcu.edu
To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references with their complete contact information.
For questions or additional information, please contact Lee Roddick-Brown at lroddick@email.wcu.edu
AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/32626
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