The Coordinator of Student Success & Retention plays a critical role in supporting the academic persistence, engagement, and on-time graduation of students in the Rocky Top Scholars program. This position provides direct oversight and development of Peer Academic Coaches (PACs) while also leading targeted student support and intervention efforts for scholars who demonstrate academic, engagement, or financial risk indicators.

The RTS program is a rapidly growing, cohort-based scholarship initiative expected to add 1,000–1,200 new scholars annually. Serving as a connector between students, peer mentors, professional staff, and campus partners, the Coordinator ensures timely outreach, coordinated support, and consistent accountability—while leveraging data and collaboration to support a large, diverse student population at scale.

This role is essential to sustaining a tiered student success model that prioritizes early support, strategic intervention, and intensive care for a small number of students with complex needs.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree

Experience:

• Two years of relevant experience in a college environment (part-time work will be considered at half-time).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience supporting first-generation or low-income students and students from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences

• Knowledge of issues related to student success, retention, and first-year transition

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with campus and community partners to foster collaboration

• Proficient in presentation, outreach, and interpersonal communication

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated sensitivity and awareness in supporting the varied needs and experiences of students

• Commitment to understanding and responding to the needs of a broad and evolving student population

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's Degree

Experience:

• Direct experience supporting college students and those from a broad range of educational and life experiences.
• Direct experience supporting or supervising student employees, peer mentors, or peer support staff

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience supervising, training, and mentoring student employees or peer leaders

• Direct experience working with CRMs such as Banner or Salesforce

Work Location

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR 07
• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $49,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For best consideration applicants should submit cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Coordinating, Monitoring, and Tracking

• The Coordinator leads moderate- and high-touch support efforts for students they have identified as being at risk of losing their scholarship through academic, engagement, or financial indicators.

• Monitors student data to identify risk indicators (e.g., Academic alerts, missed milestones, low engagement, financial or SAP flags, advising holds) and designs and implements tiered intervention strategies based on need level and risk of scholarship loss

• Coordinator will direct Peer Academic Coaches to conduct timely, structured outreach and follow-ups for individual students and evaluate effectiveness of support strategies

• Design and execute proactive outreach strategies for students requiring additional support, exercising independent judgment to assess needs, determine intervention approaches, and initiate appropriate follow-ups

• Develop and implement short-term academic action plans with students experiencing academic or engagement concerns, providing proactive advising, accountability check-ins, and referrals as appropriate

• Assign or reassign Peer Academic Coaches for targeted support when appropriate

• Track follow-up actions with Peer coaches and students and ensure accountability across support plans

• Maintain active oversight for student receiving intensive support, ensuring identified students engage with recommended resources, complete action steps, and demonstrate progress with respect to scholarship requirements

• Provide strategic oversight of cross-campus support efforts, coordinating referrals, monitoring service utilization, and ensuring effective implementation of individualized intervention strategies

Peer Mentor Supervision & Leadership

• The coordinator supervises and manages the Peer Academic Coach (PAC) program to ensure high-quality, consistent student support.

• Recruit, hire, on board, train, and supervise Peer Academic Coaches

• Develop and deliver ongoing training focused on coaching skills, referral practices, documentation, and professional development

• Manage PAC caseload assignments, scheduling, and performance expectations

• Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins and team meetings with peer mentors

• Review coaching notes, outreach logs, and engagement data to ensure quality and consistency

• Provide feedback, coaching, and performance evaluation for peer mentors

• Serve as the primary escalation point for PAC concerns related to student risk or complexity

• Make recommendations to Assistant Director on Peer Coach reappointment, recognition and program involvement.

Collaboration & Referral Coordination

• Partner with campus units to ensure students in RTS program receive timely, appropriate support without duplication or fragmentation of efforts

• Make referrals to academic advising, academic coaching, financial aid, counseling services, Dean of Students, or other appropriate partners based on student need

• Maintain clear communication loops with partners regarding student engagement and outcomes

• Support cross-functional intervention efforts while preserving program expectations and accountability

General Operations

• Supervise, schedule, and provide performance oversight of student support staff to ensure consistent and effective staffing of the student lounge
• Manage operational logistics, including forecasting, ordering, inventory control for snacks, office supplies, and related materials, and ensuring all expenditures align with the allocated budget
• Participate in relevant divisional meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities