Student Success Coordinator

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27106

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Ryan Thum

[email protected]

(406) 994-4039

Classification Title Program Coord II

Working Title Student Success Coordinator

Brief Position Overview

The Student Success Coordinator helps students navigate academic and administrative processes from recruitment through graduation; coordinates undergraduate and graduate program activities; supports recruitment, retention, and student engagement; and helps develop new initiatives that strengthen our academic programs and student community. The position also provides essential administrative coordination that keeps student programs running effectively.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working directly with students and faculty, takes ownership of projects and follows them through to completion, communicates proactively, and can manage multiple priorities and deadlines. The successful candidate will have opportunities not only to coordinate established processes, but also to bring forward ideas and work collaboratively to improve how we recruit, support, engage, and celebrate our students.

The work varies throughout the academic year and includes periods with multiple overlapping deadlines and time-sensitive student needs. At other times, the coordinator will have opportunities to develop projects and improvements that strengthen departmental programs, processes, communications, and student experiences.

Position Number 4M1875

Department Plant Sciences

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE 0.5 - 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $21.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type Classified Salary

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Welcome to the Montana State University College of Agriculture! Our blend of learning, discovery and outreach programs reflect our university’s Land Grant designation. Through a federal/state partnership with the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station ( MAES ) and MSU Extension, we strive for excellence in academics, research and engagement. The department of Plant Sciences is searching for an energetic and motivated individual to perform administrative support activities, and program support for our undergraduate and graduate programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Student Success & Academic Program Coordination

• Serves as a welcoming and trusted departmental resource for undergraduate and graduate students, helping students navigate departmental and university processes, identify appropriate resources, and resolve academic and administrative questions.

• Coordinates undergraduate and graduate student processes from entry through graduation, working closely with faculty advisors, the Department Head, College advising staff, the Graduate School, Registrar’s Office, and other university partners.

• Supports faculty advising by assigning faculty advisors, helping students and faculty navigate advising systems and processes, and coordinating approved substitutions, exceptions, and other academic actions.

• Serves as the primary departmental coordinator for graduate admissions, helping prospective students and faculty navigate the process from application and admission through funding commitments and graduate appointment/hiring.

• Tracks important student milestones, requirements, and deadlines and proactively communicates with students, faculty, and department leadership when action is needed.

• Coordinates graduate program processes including annual student evaluations, programs of study, committees, examinations and defenses, graduation requirements, and related Graduate School processes.

• Responds to student questions in person, by phone, and electronically and connects students with appropriate faculty, College, or University resources when issues require additional expertise.

Student Recruitment, Engagement & Community

• Helps create a connected student community within Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology.

• Develops and coordinates student-focused activities and events, including graduate student welcome activities, graduation celebrations, recruitment events, lectures, and other opportunities that strengthen student engagement and connection with the department.

• Collaborates with students, faculty, and department leadership to identify and develop new opportunities to improve the undergraduate and graduate student experience.

• Represents the department at selected recruitment events, campus visits, and other activities for prospective students and families, in collaboration with the Department Head, faculty, and College partners.

• Coordinates prospective student visits and helps connect prospective students with faculty, current students, academic programs, and research opportunities.

• Contributes to undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention efforts and helps assess how the department can better attract, support, and retain students.

Communications & Student Resources

• Develops and maintains clear, accessible information and resources for current and prospective undergraduate and graduate students.

• Coordinates updates to academic program webpages, recruitment materials, brochures, student handbooks/resources, and other departmental communications.

• Collaborates with students, faculty, department leadership, and College communications staff to identify and develop content that highlights academic programs, student experiences, research opportunities, accomplishments, and career pathways.

• Contributes content to departmental digital and social media communications related to students, academic programs, recruitment, events, and student success.

• Helps ensure that information provided to students and prospective students is current, accurate, useful, and consistent across departmental resources.

Academic Planning & Curriculum Support

• Works with undergraduate and graduate curriculum committees, faculty, and department leadership to coordinate course scheduling, catalog updates, curriculum changes, and assessment activities.

• Gathers, organizes, tracks, and summarizes information needed for academic planning and decision-making, including enrollment, course scheduling, instructional needs, graduate teaching assistant requests and assignments, and other student-program needs.

• Works closely with the Department Head and appropriate faculty committees to implement academic program decisions and ensure timely follow-through.

• Maintains accurate academic and student-program records and helps develop systems for tracking deadlines, decisions, and outstanding actions.

• Researches and prepares student, enrollment, teaching, and alumni information needed for departmental planning, reporting, and program improvement.

Departmental & Administrative Support

• Works closely with the Department Head, Business Operations Manager, Fiscal Operations Manager, and other staff to coordinate administrative activities related to student and academic programs.

• Supports scheduling and logistical needs for student- and academic-related meetings, events, classrooms, and conference spaces.

• Assists with office and departmental administrative needs as priorities and workload allow.

• Performs other related duties in support of departmental and student-program operations.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Administrative, program coordination, student services, advising, or related experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent, responsive service and support to students, colleagues, or other constituents.

• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple concurrent responsibilities, track deadlines and outstanding tasks, and follow projects through to completion.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and attend carefully to details while managing multiple priorities.

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use information systems, databases, spreadsheets, and other software applications.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working with undergraduate or graduate students in higher education.

• Experience coordinating academic programs, student services, advising, recruitment, or related activities.

• Experience working collaboratively with faculty, academic leadership, and/or administrative teams.

• Experience developing student-facing communications, recruitment materials, webpages, events, or engagement activities.

• Experience improving administrative processes, developing tracking systems, or coordinating work involving multiple people and deadlines.

• Knowledge of MSU academic policies, procedures, and systems or experience working in an academic department or higher education environment.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Enjoys working directly with undergraduate and graduate students and contributing to their success.

• Builds positive, collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and University partners.

• Takes ownership of responsibilities, anticipates next steps, and reliably follows tasks and projects through to completion.

• Communicates proactively about progress, questions, emerging issues, and deadlines.

• Exercises sound judgment about when to work independently, when to seek guidance, and when to involve others.

• Is comfortable managing multiple concurrent priorities and adapting as student and departmental needs change.

• Approaches problems with curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to identify and develop better ways of doing things.

• Handles sensitive and confidential student and personnel information appropriately.

• Learns and effectively uses MSU academic and administrative systems, policies, procedures, resources, and deadlines.

• Represents the Department, College, and University professionally and positively.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on October 2, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.