Student Support Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The RWIC Student Support Specialist provides comprehensive support to students in career and technical education programs by coordinating academic advising, student engagement, and success initiatives. This role collaborates closely with internal departments and community partners to enhance enrollment, retention, and completion through strategic planning and proactive student services. The Specialist serves as a key liaison for students, guiding them to appropriate resources while fostering strong relationships with faculty, staff, and industry partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with admissions, advising, and recruiting teams to develop and maintain a strategic enrollment, recruitment, and advising plan with measurable goals and objectives.
• Partners with admissions, recruiting, academic advising, financial aid, and other student-facing departments to ensure that the RWIC (Regional Workforce Innovation Center) uses effective and up-to-date program and marketing materials.
• Represents the college at prospective student recruitment events, as appropriate.
• Evaluates the efficiency of admissions and registration processes, policies, data collection methods, and strategic initiative outcomes on a consistent basis.
• Works with other SCC teams to identify opportunities to improve student services, including financial aid, mental health support, disability services, and additional resources that enhance the student experience.
• Collaborates with Institutional Research to develop and administer student service needs assessments and to create strategic plans with actionable, measurable outcomes.
• Partners with department leaders to develop student success plans focused on supporting at-risk students, and meets directly with students to provide individualized guidance, coaching, and progress monitoring.
• Works with student life and program leadership to develop student organizations and engagement opportunities.
• Participates in college committees, ceremonies, and other institutional events.
• Collaborates with the RWIC Director to establish strategic goals with defined, measurable outcomes.
• Balances administrative responsibilities with direct student interaction and support.
• Creates and implements a proactive, intentional academic advising program aimed at increasing student retention and completion rates.
• Plans and hosts registration events and open houses to support enrollment and student engagement.
• Encourages and promotes student participation in engagement activities such as SkillsUSA.
• Coordinates with career services to provide career development programming and activities for students.
• Works collaboratively with the RWIC team to build and maintain relationships with area manufacturers and community organizations to support students, academic programs and customized solutions.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for students, connecting them with appropriate college and community resources and support services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Section can be combined with Essential Duties Section)

• Strong communication skills to effectively interact with individuals from a variety of multi-cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to anticipate and troubleshoot student concerns while providing necessary referrals and escalations.
• Understanding of Career Technical Education and Higher Education best practices, processes, and procedures.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A master's degree in supporting discipline studies or related field, plus three (3) years' experience in an educational environment, OR a bachelor's degree in supporting discipline studies or related field, and five (5) years' experience in an educational environment, OR a combination of education and experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Normal physical job functions performed in a standard office environment.
• Ability to lift materials or equipment up to 25 pounds (e.g., brochures, display materials for career fairs).
• Mobility to travel across campus and, on occasion, to off-site career events or employer meetings.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while conducting advising sessions or attending meetings.

Current Openings for Student Support Specialist Jobs at St. Charles Community College