About Augustana College
Augustana College is a nationally recognized college of the liberal arts and sciences dedicated to investing in engaged learning, maximizing student potential, and strengthening community partnerships - the guiding priorities of our Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan (2024-29). For our 2,500 students from all backgrounds, Augustana provides a transformative experience that integrates rigorous academics, hands-on learning andmentorship to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success.
The college’s scenic, wooded campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad-Cities metro area (pop. 470,000) along the Mississippi River, about a 3-hour drive from Chicago. At Augustana, we seek innovative and student-centered professionals who are excited to contribute to our strategic goals of empowering students through engaged learning, leadership development and real-world experiences.
Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, generous paid time off, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.
Job Description: Academic Counselor & Program Coordinator (TRIO-SSS)
Status: Full-time, Exempt, 12-month position Reports to: Director of TRIO-SSS & Accessibility
Services Program: TRIO-Student Support Services (Grant-Funded)
Position Overview
The Academic Counselor & Program Coordinator provides holistic, proactive support for TRIO-SSS participants, specifically low-income, first-generation, and/or students with disabilities, to foster persistence, academic success, and graduation. This role serves as a hybrid position that bridges front-line student advising with programmatic operations. Under the supervision of the Director, the successful candidate will facilitate student success through intrusive, strengths-based academic coaching, while simultaneously collaborating with the Director on operational, grant-compliance, and engagement strategies necessary to ensure the program meets its federal objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Coaching & Student Success
- Provide holistic support: Conduct academic, career, and personal development coaching using a strengths-based, intrusive approach. Build and sustain positive relationships with a diverse student population to improve retention and graduation rates.
- Monitor progress: Utilize early alert and student success systems (e.g., Starfish) to track participant progress, document all contacts, and implement timely interventions.
- Early Intervention: Assume a lead role in processing and resolving early alert flags, collaborating with campus community members to address barriers to student persistence.
Program Operations & Grant Compliance
- Operational Oversight: Assist the Director and Data Specialist in developing, maintaining, and updating programmatic processes and the Policy and Procedures Manual.
- Data & Reporting: Collaborate with the Director and Data Specialist to collect, analyze, and report detailed data for the Department of Education, contributing to the Annual
- Performance Report.
- Federal Compliance: Ensure all programming, recruitment, and intake processes align with Federal regulations, mandates, and grant performance objectives.
- Recruitment: Lead summer recruitment and intake efforts; verify student eligibility based on federal guidelines and conduct comprehensive assessments.
Engagement & Programming
- Event Planning: Collaborate with the Director and Data Specialist to design, coordinate and deliver workshops, events, and services that meet student needs.
- Peer Mentoring: Plan, implement, and oversee the Peer Mentor Program, including the recruitment, training, and supervision of student mentors.
- Communications: Manage the SSS newsletter, social media presence, and digital engagement strategies to keep students connected to campus resources. Utilize design
- tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe) to create engaging content, working collaboratively with TRIO student workers.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Required: Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, college student personnel, student affairs, or a related field.
Preferred: Master’s degree in one of the above fields.
Experience:
- Minimum of two years of direct service experience supporting first-generation,
low-income, students with disabilities, or other at-risk populations.
- Minimum of two years of demonstrated experience in academic advising,
counseling, or student success coaching.
- Experience with TRIO or other federally funded student support programs is
highly preferred.
- Experience designing and facilitating student workshops and/or academic
success courses.
Skills & Abilities
- Communication: Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to
collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, parents, and diverse student populations.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Google Suite. Familiarity with
student success platforms (e.g., Starfish) and design software (Canva, Adobe) is
preferred.
- Analytical Ability: Demonstrated capacity to interpret data to improve program
effectiveness and meet grant benchmarks.
- Leadership: Proven ability to take a lead role in student-facing initiatives and programmatic operations.
Physical Requirements
This position operates in a traditional office environment on-campus. The employee must be
able to:
- Move about the office to access files and machinery.
- Operate standard office equipment (computers, printers, copiers).
- Communicate clearly in person, by phone, and via video.
- Occasionally transport office supplies and materials (up to 15 pounds) across campus
for events.
- Note: This position requires occasional work during evenings and weekends to support student programming and recruitment events.
EEO Statement: Augustana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is Augustana College’s policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
Note: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities are subject to change at any time with or without notice.
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and names of 3 references. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
