Great Expectations Coach / Student Success Advisor

Title: Great Expectations Coach / Student Success Advisor

Agency: Southwest Virginia Community College

Location: Tazewell - 185

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $45,739 to $46,348

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) offers career-training programs in numerous technical, industrial and medical fields at a reasonable cost, going so far as to even waive tuition for certain eligible students. Located in Richlands, Virginia, Southwest offers associate’s degrees in such fields as business, education, general studies, liberal arts and science. These degrees are primarily intended for students who wish to transfer to a four-year university. Southwest also has associate degrees that feature programs intended to lead directly to a career in fields such as Nursing, Radiography and Administration of Justice.

Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Great Expectations Coach and Student Success Advisor within the Student Services Division.
This position serves as a primary point of contact for students, providing comprehensive academic advising, student success coaching, and individualized support services designed to promote student persistence, retention, completion, and transfer or career success.

This position carries dual responsibilities by serving as both a Student Success Advisor for assigned student populations and as the designated Great Expectations Coach, supporting current and former foster youth and other students eligible for Great Expectations services. The advisor assists students in navigating academic, personal, financial, and social challenges while connecting them with campus and community resources that contribute to their success.

Through proactive outreach, relationship-building, case management, and collaboration with faculty and staff, this position empowers students to develop educational plans, overcome barriers, and achieve their academic and career goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Success Advising

• Provide holistic academic advising to assigned student populations.
• Assist students with educational planning, course selection, registration, degree completion pathways, and transfer preparation.
• Interpret placement information, prerequisite requirements, degree requirements, and institutional policies.
• Conduct proactive outreach to students through appointments, phone calls, emails, text messaging, and student success campaigns.
• Monitor student progress using institutional technologies, including EAB Navigate and SIS systems.
• Document advising interactions and interventions in accordance with institutional standards.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors and student support personnel to ensure coordinated student services.
• Support student retention initiatives, early alert interventions, and enrollment campaigns.
• Educate students on academic policies, deadlines, and available support services.
• Assist students in identifying barriers to success and developing action plans to address challenges.

Great Expectations Program Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Great Expectations Coach for eligible students, including current and former foster youth.
• Recruit, identify, and enroll eligible students into the Great Expectations program.
• Develop individualized success plans that address academic, career, financial, and personal goals.
• Provide intensive case management and ongoing support to GE students.
• Assist students in accessing financial aid, scholarships, emergency assistance, housing resources, transportation resources, and community services.
• Maintain compliance with Great Expectations program requirements and reporting expectations.
• Coordinate workshops, student engagement activities, and enrichment opportunities for GE participants.
• Build partnerships with local social service agencies, school divisions, foster care organizations, and community partners.
• Track student outcomes and maintain accurate program records and reports.
• Advocate for student needs and connect students with appropriate campus resources.

Student Support and Resource Coordination

• Connect students with tutoring, accessibility services, financial aid, counseling resources, career services, and other campus supports.
• Promote student engagement through participation in campus activities, leadership opportunities, and support programs.
• Assist students experiencing academic, financial, or personal challenges through coordinated intervention strategies.
• Support enrollment, orientation, registration, and onboarding activities.

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of advising appointments, outreach efforts, and student interactions.
• Monitor caseload performance metrics including retention, persistence, completion, and engagement.
• Prepare reports and documentation required by the college and Great Expectations program.
• Utilize student success technologies and data systems to inform interventions and outreach strategies.

This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon funding availability and the needs of the College. Position is not eligible for severance benefits under state policy.

Position is located on main campus but will occasionally require travel to off-campus sites and other locations.

A one-year probationary period is required for both new hires and transfers.

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, psychology, human services, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience working with students, advising, coaching, counseling, case management, or student support services.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and equitable access to higher education.
• Knowledge of student development, advising, coaching, and retention best practices.
• Understanding of challenges faced by foster youth and other underserved student populations.
• Ability to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with diverse student populations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and case management skills.
• Ability to analyze student needs and coordinate appropriate interventions.
• Knowledge of financial aid, transfer pathways, academic policies, and student support services.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and student information systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Strong problem-solving and collaborative skills.

• Master's degree in counseling, education, student affairs, social work, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education advising, retention, or student support services.
• Experience working with foster youth, first-generation students, low-income students, or other special populations.
• Experience with EAB Navigate or similar student success platforms.
• Knowledge of Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policies and procedures.