Academic Advisor and Student Success Coach

About Roxbury Community College:

Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificate programs and lifelong learning opportunities to the Greater Boston community. The Department of Education recognized RCC as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and as one of the top 100 community colleges in the country for student outcomes through the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, making it the only community college in Massachusetts with these designations.

RCC offers 24 associate degree programs, 6 credit-based certificate programs, 13 non-credit professional certification programs, 30+ lifelong learning and fitness classes, and customized incumbent worker training programs. The college hosts hundreds of civic and community events at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center each year. RCC is committed to providing all learners with the academic and non-academic support required for degree completion and long-term success.

Roxbury Community College is guided by our six core values of Accountability, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Integrity, and Respect. RCC is also an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act requires all institutes of higher education to disclose campus policy statements and crime statistics. Our annual report is available at https://www.rcc.mass.edu/explore/public-safety/index.html.

Job Description:

Job title: Academic Advisor and Student Success Coach

Department: Student Success

Unit: MCCC, placement within the salary range is determined in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Schedule: 9am-5pm, Onsite, Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Reports To: Assistant Director of Advising or Director of Advising

Position Summary

The Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach provides comprehensive academic advising and proactive student support to strengthen persistence, retention, degree completion, and students' sense of belonging at Roxbury Community College. Through an assigned student caseload, the Advisor/Success Coach helps students clarify their goals, develop academic plans, navigate college processes, and address barriers that may interrupt their education.

The position combines academic advising with ongoing coaching, intentional outreach, and coordinated referrals. Particular attention is given to students experiencing academic difficulties, students who have not registered for the next semester, and students seeking to return after an interruption in enrollment.

Essential Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Educational Planning

Provide individualized advising on academic programs, course selection, degree requirements, transfer preparation, and college policies.

Develop and regularly update academic plans that connect students' educational and career goals with a clear path to completion.

Help students understand prerequisites, course sequencing, academic standing, and the implications of enrollment decisions.

Review students' progress toward graduation and connect students approaching completion with appropriate graduation and transfer processes.

Student Success Coaching and Retention

• Manage an assigned student caseload through proactive, consistent communication and scheduled check-ins.
• Support students in developing goals, strengthening study and time-management skills, and building confidence in navigating college.
• Conduct targeted outreach at key points in the academic cycle, including the beginning of the semester, early-alert periods, midterms, registration, and end-of-term transitions.
• Contact students who have not registered, have stopped attending, or have interrupted their enrollment to identify barriers and support continued enrollment or reentry.
• Help students develop academic recovery plans and connect with appropriate support when their progress is at risk.

Coordinated Student Support

• Respond to early alerts and referrals in a timely manner, documenting outreach, interventions, and follow-up.
• Connect students with tutoring, accessibility services, financial aid, basic needs assistance, counseling, career services, and other college resources.
• Use warm handoffs and follow-up communication to help students successfully access referred services.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to resolve student concerns and support coordinated interventions.
• Participate in orientation, registration activities, student success workshops, and other initiatives that support student engagement and persistence.

Documentation and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate, timely, and objective advising notes and student records in designated college systems.
• Use available student information to prioritize outreach and monitor progress.
• Contribute to assessment of advising services, retention initiatives, and student support practices.
• Participate in professional development and assigned committees.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in higher education, counseling, education, or a related field.
• At least two years of relevant experience in academic advising, student success coaching, student services, education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build supportive relationships with students from varied backgrounds and educational experiences.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to interpret academic requirements and use student information and communication systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, equitable educational opportunities, and the community college mission.

Preferred

• Master's degree in higher education, counseling, education, or a related field.
• Experience in a community college or other open-access institution.
• Experience with proactive advising, early-alert interventions, academic recovery, or student reengagement.
• Experience using student data to guide outreach and support.
• Multilingual communication skills relevant to the populations served by RCC.

Additional Information:

Benefits

Employees of Roxbury Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits that include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Reasonable Dental Plan and Vision Discount
• Flexible Medical Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Account Through Ameriflex
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance, including other supplemental products, through AFLAC.
• Retirement (Defined Benefits) and Retirement Savings Plans (Defined Contribution): Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System (MSERS) or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) offered through Department of Higher Education (Alternative Retirement Plan) and SMART PLAN - Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b) (Fidelity, TIAA-CREF).
• 12 paid holidays per year, along with earned Competitive Sick, Vacation, and 5 days of Personal Time per calendar year.
• Tuition Benefit for employees and dependents at state community colleges and universities.
• Short-Term Disability and various program participation options offered by AFLAC.
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities.
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free employee parking on the Roxbury Campus
• Public Transportation is available to the College via the MBTA Orange Line Roxbury Crossing Station, a ten (10) minute walk to MBTA Orange Line Ruggles Station, and connecting bus stops to and from Nubian Square (Dudley)

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

Cover Letter

Resume

Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.

After completing all the steps above, please go back into the newly created account and double check that your resume and cover letter uploaded as you intended.

Roxbury Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact Pat Noel, ADA Coordinator, at 857-701-1290 or pnoel1@rcc.mass.edu.

ADA Compliance:

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education - Roxbury Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Roxbury Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at hrstaff@rcc.mass.edu.