Student Success Coach at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology – Boston, Massachusetts

Who We Are:

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Franklin Cummings Tech) is a private, non-profit, two-year technical college located in Boston. Founded in 1908, the college proudly continues a long tradition of educating students for high-demand technical careers in a variety of industries, including automotive, advanced manufacturing, computer technology, engineering and construction management. With a mission to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement, our unique mixture of 1, 2, and 4-year programs are delivered both in-person and on-line to appeal to student’s demand for flexible program delivery.

Our graduation and job placement rates are among the best in the nation among two-year colleges. Because of our impact and outcomes, Franklin Cummings Tech recently received the largest gift in its history: $12.5 million from the Cummings Foundation to continue to advance its leading-edge work in creating technical career pathways for students typically underrepresented in post-secondary education.

In FY22, Franklin Cummings Tech was the academic home to almost 900 learners. Half of those learners were students enrolled in traditional credit-bearing programs. The balance enrolled in a combination of continuing education and contract education programs. In the coming years, the College seeks to boost the number of students in credit-bearing courses, while also expanding continuing education and contract education so that we are educating more than 1,000 learners a year by FY25.

Position Summary:

The Student Success Coach is a passionate advocate for students and actively leads and contributes to institution-wide efforts to further improve graduation and retention rates of our student body, particularly those from the Boston neighborhoods of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. The Student Success Coach manages a large caseload of students by providing academic, career, and personal support to our students. The Student Success Coach reports to the Associate Dean of Students, and collaborates closely with all members of the Student Services team, as well as members of Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Strategic Partnerships, and faculty.

Key Responsibilities:

• Success coaches work as a hands-on academic advisor, career and life coach to a large caseload of advisees (matriculated or through Strategic Partnerships or Division of Professional and Continuing Serves as assigned) by promoting student engagement that leads to graduation and job placement in high-demand fields.
• Support students through the challenges of balancing academic life with external commitments or concerns that may interfere with their ability to be successful students with assistance from the Office of Student Wellness and Support.
• Promote academic success by continually monitoring student progress throughout the semester. Work closely with faculty to ensure that students are engaged and are maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
• Serve on the weekly Students of Concern Committee to review student attendance, grades, trends, and develop outreach strategies.
• Transition students from the Admissions process to Student Services by meeting with each student to complete an onboarding process that includes a Getting Acclimated survey, set up of their learning management, student portal, and email systems, curriculum review, and introduction to campus resources.
• Assist students through the registration and re-enrollment process each semester ensuring that they are working to resolve any holds on their accounts, including, but not limited to student accounts and financial aid.
• Assist in the planning and execution of New Student Orientation, including facilitating sessions of major-based cohorts.
• Participate in the collection and analysis of data regarding student success to help increase student retention and graduation rates.
• Develop and implement student success workshops on topics such as transitioning to college, locus of control, time management and study skills.
• Be a highly-motivated self-starter with the ability to collaborate with Student Services, BFIT staff and faculty, as well as advocates and community-based organizations toward student success.
• Assist students with job readiness skills, including resume writing, mock interviews, and job search efforts. Connect students to employment opportunities, assist with events such as the annual career fair, career seminars and workshops, track alumni employment.
• Keep current on all aspects of academic programs, academic support services, student information system procedures, enrollment processes and procedures, college policies, mission and philosophy.
• Other duties as assigned.

All employees of Franklin Cummings Tech are expected to be passionate advocates for students and actively lead and contribute to institution-wide efforts to further improve graduation, retention rates, and career placement of our student body. Furthermore, all staff and faculty across the institution collaborate to support student recruitment, retention, and success.

Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree is required with a background in secondary education, higher education administration, social work, counseling, or special education a plus.
• A demonstrated sensitivity to understanding the needs and concerns of a diverse urban student population, many of whom are first generation college students, is essential to the incumbent’s success.
• One-to-three years of successful experience employed in an advising or student success capacity.
• Understanding of and experience working with students with documented learning disabilities is a plus.
• Proven experience in leading collaborative efforts between multiple constituencies including, faculty, staff, students, and members of the local community.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong presentation skills with demonstrated ability to develop interpersonal and organizational relationships. • Be a highly-motivated self-starter with the ability to collaborate, effectively and respectfully, with Student Services, BFIT staff and faculty, as well as advocates and community-based organizations toward student success.
• Knowledge of the enrollment process including federal financial aid.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, student information and early alert systems, such as Canvas, Signal Vine, and familiarity of online job recruiting platforms such as Handshake.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work in a fast-paced team-focused environment, the ability to multitask, and the ability to pay special attention to detail. Excellent leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to work independently, determine priorities, and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Sense of humor.

Application Process:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, titles, telephone numbers, and email addresses of two professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology complies with all state and federal guidelines that pertain to Covid-19. All employees are expected to comply with current Covid precautions, which are subject to change.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Franklin Cummings Tech is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on any grounds protected under federal, state, or local law, including race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, disability (including those related to pregnancy or childbirth), sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other characteristic or activity protected under federal, state or local law.