Academic Advisor and Success Coach

Position Summary:

The Academic Advisor and Success Coach works collaboratively within the Advisement and Transition team to advance institutional goals related to student success, retention, and persistence. The role provides proactive academic advising and success coaching through the management of a caseload of students, supporting informed decision‑making, academic progress, and successful transitions. As an advocate for students, the Academic Advisor and Success Coach actively contributes to institution‑wide retention and graduation initiatives and maintains a specific programmatic focus to address the needs of a designated student population or initiative.

Salary Range: $60,245 + depending on experience ( DOE )

Watch this video to learn more about careers at SUNY Cortland: https://youtu.be/krNjgXC95M0?si=k2l13TUB9mJ9YjD8

Major Responsibilities:

Academic Advising

• Proactively advise a caseload of pre‑major (undecided) students (or students from other academic departments as needed) using a developmental and student‑centered advising approach to support academic exploration, major selection, and degree progress.

• Utilize student information systems, degree audit tools, and advising technologies to track student progress, identify at-risk students, and implement timely interventions.

• Provide open advising coverage and serve as a resource to all students in understanding college policies and processes and academic requirements and progress, that impact retention and degree completion.

• Assist in reviewing incoming credit and registering new students for first semester courses.

• Support office functions and collaborate with colleagues on initiatives related to faculty advising, transfer credit, orientation, and first‑year experience.

• Maintain accurate advising records and communicate proactively with students to support informed decision‑making.

• Support diverse student populations by connecting students with appropriate campus resources.

Success Coaching

• Utilize a proactive case management approach to support students, individually and in groups, who are academically vulnerable or not meeting established academic milestones.

• Provide targeted success coaching for identified student populations.

• Use early alert software and College Student Inventory ( CSI ) data to monitor student progress, initiate targeted outreach, coordinate referrals, and document strategies for success.

• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to connect students with appropriate academic and support services.

• Maintain detailed and accurate case notes in compliance with FERPA and institutional guidelines.

Programmatic Focus (First-generation student support and registration compliance tracking)

First-Generation Student Support

• Develop and implement programming and resources to support first-generation students and their families throughout the college experience.

• Coordinate online resources and workshops to support the academic and transitional needs of first-generation students.

• Assist in coordinating first-generation advisory group.

• Advocate for the perspectives of first-generation students in institutional policy and practice decisions.

Registration Compliance Tracking

• Participate in Registration Compliance Tracking review and assist in resolving curricular and registration issues impacting undergraduate students.

• Serve as a liaison with Financial Aid in developing proactive communication regarding degree progress, course planning, and the impact on financial aid eligibility.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Experience with academic advising, student success initiatives, or a related role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, or related field

• One-year professional full-time experience in higher education, preferably in academic advising, student success, or other student support area.

• Evidence of communication, public speaking, and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated use of technology and software packages such as Banner, Degree Works, Microsoft office (specifically Excel and Access), and/or Starfish (early alert system).