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Position Title:

Academic Coach

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile:

Retention Specialist

Job Duties:

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Academic Coach helps program participants develop the skills necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree. The SSS advisor maintains a caseload of assigned participants for individual academic guidance. Guidance is offered through consistent monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on participants’ academic progress, intervening with appropriate resources, and referring to appropriate on-and off-campus support services as needed. The SSS academic advisor develops, implements, and supports the daily delivery of services to participants and is responsible for maintaining assigned participant records. The position assists with planning, organizing, implementing, and coordinating monthly events/workshops related to financial literacy, career exploration and development, graduate school, and more. 

 

Additionally, this academic advisor ensures participants meet SSS grant requirements of active involvement in the program. They will maintain accurate database records, participant data collection and synthesis, and contribute to regular program reports on student outcomes. This position reports to the Project Director for SSS and is responsible for supporting and coaching SSS scholars to learn and practice academic skills to succeed and graduate from UW-River Falls. The successful candidate will actively engage with SSS scholars and campus partners to ensure high-impact practices are woven into SSS programming and events. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Serve as an academic advisor and provide mentoring, proactive advising, and overall support to a caseload of approximately 70 SSS participants. Monitor, plan, and facilitate student success plans and academic progress (50%) 

• Plan and implement academic and social programming, including program orientations, financial literacy, student development, educational and career opportunities (20%) 

• Collect, maintain, and analyze participant data to support institutional reporting and assist the Program Director with Annual Performance Reports to the U.S. Department of Education (15%) 

• Serve on relevant university-wide committee(s) and build partnerships across campus (5%) 

• Supervise and mentor SSS Student workers (5%) 

• Engage in professional development related to the role of Academic Advisor by attending state, regional, or national conferences and training as required (5%) 

 

Key Job Responsibilities:

• May assist with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and/or provide financial aid/scholarship information

• Provides referrals to appropriate campus resources

• Advocates for campus-wide retention initiatives

• Makes recommendations to improve retention efforts

• Communicates, assists, and monitors progress of students

• Monitors, plans, and facilitates student academic progress, student programming, and success plans

• Adheres to the established plan of operation, curriculum, process policy, program procedures, and all other related federal regulations

• Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and help identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and transfer strategies

• Maintains accurate student records including contact logs, case notes, and files

Department:

Student Success

  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Social Work, Psychology, Communications or a related field 

• At least two years of work experience in an educational setting. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. 

• Evidence of significant experience working with students at academic risk, limited-income students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. 

• Knowledge of and experience with database management, spreadsheets, and forms generation. 

• Experience planning and facilitating events or workshops. 

 

Preferred:   

• Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field. 

• Significant experience in student assessment and creation of individualized academic plans in support of academic achievement. 

• Experience in data analysis, specifically in student success metrics and outcomes. 

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications.  Applicants are required to provide:

• Resume

• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)

Inquiries should be addressed to:
Bao Lee

Search Chair

bao.lee@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before December 7, 2025.

Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.95%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf

 

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 

Title IX Notice 

As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix. 

Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy 

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact hr@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3518. 

Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression 

The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.