Student Success Advisor in Worcester, Massachusetts at Clark University

Clark University

Location: Worcester, MA Category: Staff and Administrators Job Type: Full-time - Exempt Posted On: Fri Sep 4 2026 Job Description:

Drawing on national best practices and trends in student transition, retention and engagement, the Student Success Advisor ensures new students' success in their critical first year of college, with the aim of supporting students through the transition to college to declaring a major, in a holistic way. The SSAs holistically engage and collaboration across the University, serve as case managers for student concerns, supports Orientation, and supervise the Peer Mentor program providing a circle of support around each incoming student.

SSAs serve as incoming students' primary contact person beginning the summer before enrollment, supporting students' holistic transition into the Clark community through their first year and into their sophomore year until major declaration. The SSA integrates academic and student life to guide new students through their first year, including summer advising and registration, orientation, and the first year academic experience with a holistic and inclusive lens. Each partners with faculty, residential life and housing, CARE, counseling and wellness, inclusive academic excellence, and student engagement and belonging to connect, support, and engage students throughout their Clark journey.

Holistic Advising for Undeclared Students [65%]

• Provide academic and holistic advising to students to help them realize their academic, professional, and life goals and passions;
• Manage and support a caseload of first-year students from at the time of the deposit through pre-enrollment engagement and requirements until a major is declared;
• Serve as primary users of CRM including assisting with the implementation of a new system, participating in training, updating select student records daily, and utilizing data for the purposes of intervention, student success, and retention;
• Engage in the necessary and ongoing training and development needed to be an effective Student Success Adviser and have a sound understanding of the curriculum and academic policies and procedures, and an awareness of campus services and resources, multicultural competence, holistic and trauma-informed support, and activities;
• Meet with students, individually and in groups, regularly throughout the year;
• Evaluate and monitor student success progress and the impact on the achievement of goals (e.g., GPA, retention, engagement record, and standards of progress);
• Serve as an active member of the CARE Team, triaging complex student issues and concerns, providing support, resources, and mentorship
• Monitor advisees' academic progress in the Clark CORE until major declaration; monitor schedules after the add/drop period to ensure all advisees are registered for full-time course load or have received permission for part-time course load throughout the year;
• Refer students to co-curricular events and activities on campus to assist with student engagement efforts;
• Collaborate with other offices to offer and advertise workshops for first- and second-year students, on topics such as academic success, goal setting, career readiness, co-curricular leadership opportunities, etc.;
• Support students with transfer or advanced placement credits or schedule changes
• Understand FERPA rules when working with families/guardians;
• Work with faculty regarding advisees' needs and course-related matters;

Support the Onboarding of Undergraduate Students [30%]

• Facilitate students' onboarding, including summer advising, orientation, and transition to college in partnership with the Engagement & Belonging Team and Orientation staff;
• Supervise the student Peer Mentors and Navigator programs as compliments to the SSA advising model, including hosting staff meetings, one-on-ones, and conducting selection and evaluation processes for student mentors
• Develop, organize, and implement first-year student workshops, events, drop-in hours, and experiences that support student success (e.g., major exploration and selection, time-management workshop, mindfulness, social navigation, study hall, etc.);
• Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., offices within the Division of Student Success, academic departments, and Dean of the College) for a variety of activities, including but not limited to Orientation and pre-orientation programs, Involvement fair, first six weeks programming, residential curriculum activities, and living-learning communities, and the Majors Fair;

Participate in the growth and development of the Division and Clark University [5%]

• Support the on-boarding and off-boarding process for students, including having an active presence at signature events such as opening weekend, orientation, commencement, family weekend, signature events, etc.
• Support key initiatives and experiences within Student Success and the University, such as opening weekend, orientation, commencement, family weekend, traditional events, etc.
• Promote efficiency and courtesy throughout the University community, ensuring consistency with Student Success' mission and values.
• Serve as an active and responsible committee member for divisional and university-wide committees, communicate relevant information as appropriate
• Remain cognizant of the University's mission and identity, the constant promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the importance of student voices and persistence; promote efficiency and courtesy throughout the university community and be consistent with division's mission and values.
• Communicate effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent departmental and University matters.
• Other duties as assigned that are in the best interest of the division.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Development, Student Affairs or equivalent preferred;
• At least two years of experience working closely with students on a college campus; experience in academic advising, preferred experience in student engagement, orientation, and new student programs, or supervision or mentoring student leaders;
• Demonstrated multicultural competence and experience working with and contributing to a diverse workplace with the ability to interact effectively with a broad range of constituents on campus;
• Demonstrated expertise in written and oral communication skills, and organizational, planning, and multi-tasking skills with an attention to detail;
• Ability to connect with students and build rapport, challenge, and support students, and have critical conversations;
• Ability to foster a collaborative work environment and serve as a team player;
• Ability to work with staff, administration, and faculty across the university to support students' holistic development and success;
• Ability to problem-solve and resolve student issues;
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of advising practices and theory, student development theory, identity development theory, and high impact practices;
• Knowledge of Microsoft environment including MS Word, Excel, Teams, and experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as Slate, Anthology, and/or Starfish and other higher education software such as Advocate
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience supporting a diverse student population
• Experience embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work with students and colleagues

Additional Information:

Expected Hiring Range: $40,800 to $54,750

Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The compensation for this position will be determined based on factors that include available budget, internal equity, and the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related credentials. This range represents Clark University's good-faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting consistent with Clark's compensation philosophy and internal alignment.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here.