MARYVILLE COLLEGE STAFF POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: TRIO Academic Coach
Department: TRIO Student Support Services
Title of Immediate Supervisor: Director, TRIO Student Support Services
Funded Term / Work Cycle: Grant-Funded; 11-Month Position
Expected Daily Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Expected Weekly Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 30 hours per week
Pay Grade: 5S
Starting Salary Expectations: $18.91 – $20.56 per hour, with starting salary determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated competencies.
About Maryville College:
Maryville College is a nationally ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years, we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders to study everything so that they are prepared for anything. Our graduates are equipped to address complex problems, engage with diverse communities, and launch meaningful careers.
Nestled in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, our campus combines the beauty of a rural setting with the advantages of an urban center. With a wide range of academic programs and a strong tradition of career preparation, our alumni live “strong of mind and brave of heart,” carrying forward our Presbyterian founder’s charge to do good on the largest possible scale.
Mission
At Maryville College, we offer more than a mission—we offer support. Our employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a generous paid time off program; a retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%; tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents; and the opportunity to grow in a collaborative community that values professional excellence and personal well-being.
“Maryville College prepares students for lives of citizenship and leadership as we challenge each one to search for truth, grow in wisdom, work for justice and dedicate a life of creativity and service to the peoples of the world.”
Values:
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Scholarship: We commit ourselves to lifelong curiosity and learning, to the search for knowledge, and to intellectual creativity.
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Respect: We commit ourselves to honor the worth, dignity, and freedom of ourselves and all creation, and to treat others as we wish to be treated.
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Integrity: We commit ourselves to truth, honesty, dependability, and responsibility in all our actions and relationships.
The TRIO Academic Coach provides individualized academic, career, financial, and personal success coaching to eligible participants in the federally funded TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program. Through intentional coaching, progress monitoring, educational programming, and referral services, the Academic Coach supports student persistence, retention, academic achievement, and successful completion of educational goals while ensuring compliance with federal grant requirements and institutional policies.
The Academic Coach provides individual mentoring and academic, career, and financial coaching to TRIO-eligible students. The coach conducts regular meetings to assess academic needs, monitor progress, and support students through individualized academic success plans. The position generates reports, supports student programming and workshops, recruits eligible participants, and collaborates with campus partners to ensure students receive the support necessary to achieve academic success and degree completion.
Education and Experience required to ensure success in this position:
Education required:
- Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Psychology, Education, Counseling, Student Development, Social Work, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Completion of at least the first year of a master's degree program in Counseling, School Counseling, Student Affairs, Higher Education, or a related discipline preferred.
Experience required:
- One (1) to two (2) years of experience mentoring, advising, coaching, counseling, or supporting college students required.
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Experience working with underrepresented student populations preferred.
- Experience facilitating workshops, educational programming, or outreach activities preferred.
Leadership & Collaboration-
Collaborate with the Director of TRIO Student Support Services and campus partners to support student persistence, retention, and degree completion.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, counselors, and community partners to coordinate services and remove barriers to student success.
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Participate in professional development related to student success, coaching, advising, and federal TRIO program requirements.
- Collaborate with the Student Intervention Team and other campus resources as appropriate.
Data, Technology & Compliance
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Conduct program intake interviews and assess student eligibility and needs.
- Document coaching sessions and maintain accurate student records within approved student data management systems.
- Monitor student progress and maintain accurate records necessary to support Annual Performance Reports (APR) and other federal grant reporting requirements.
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Prepare semester and annual data reports as required by TRIO Student Support Services guidelines.
- Maintain confidentiality of student information and ensure compliance with FERPA and institutional policies.
Stakeholder & Institutional Support
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Serve as a resource for students seeking academic, career, financial, and personal success support.
- Assist students in identifying barriers to success and connecting with appropriate campus and community resources.
- Inform the Maryville College community about TRIO Student Support Services and available program resources.
- Support recruitment efforts to identify and enroll eligible students in the program.
Operations & Technical Oversight
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Establish and maintain regular meeting schedules with assigned students.
- Develop individualized academic success plans and monitor progress toward goals.
- Provide academic coaching and feedback related to academic skills, financial literacy, professional development, career planning, and educational goal attainment.
- Design and facilitate workshops focused on academic success, professional development, financial literacy, and student engagement.
- Coordinate referrals and connections to academic, counseling, financial aid, and other support resources as appropriate.
Fiscal Oversight
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May assist with program materials, workshop resources, and grant-supported activities.
Strategic Planning & Sustainability
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Support federal TRIO Student Support Services objectives related to retention, persistence, graduation, and student success.
- Provide feedback regarding student barriers and opportunities to improve services and support systems.
- Contribute to grant assessment activities and continuous program improvement efforts.
Other:
NOTE: Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty, and students.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities-
Knowledge of financial aid regulations and student support resources.
- Ability to assess the needs of educationally disadvantaged students.
- Ability to develop and implement effective motivational and coaching strategies.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding student information.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to function independently and manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to plan and coordinate educational workshops and outreach activities.
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to populations served by the TRIO Student Support Services Program.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, student information systems, and student data management software.
License, Certification, or Registration Necessary:
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:-
Professional office environment with frequent interaction with students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
- Frequent interruptions and changing priorities due to student support needs.
- Regular use of computers, phones, and student information systems.
- Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required.
- Ability to move throughout campus facilities and attend meetings and events as needed.
- Ability to lift and move up to 15 pounds
Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:-
Standard office equipment.
- Computers and student information systems.
- Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and student data management software.
- Presentation and workshop facilitation equipment.
The College may, at its discretion, sponsor employment-based immigration petitions (such as H-1B or permanent residency) on behalf of employees when permitted by law and aligned with institutional priorities and budget.
Sponsorship is contingent on satisfactory continued employment, compliance with applicable federal regulations, availability of institutional resources, and the College’s sole determination of fiscal feasibility.
The College cannot guarantee sponsorship in any case, particularly where newly introduced federal filing fees or wage obligations create financial burdens inconsistent with institutional budget stewardship. The College always reserves the right to defer or decline sponsorship.
