ADVANCE Academic Coach

Department: Division of Enrollment Management

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA - This is a hybrid position in which the coach will work on the Mason Fairfax campus and NOVA Loudoun campus.

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

ADVANCE is an exciting dual-admission transfer partnership launched in 2018 between Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and George Mason University that gives participating students targeted, personalized support to complete their bachelor's degrees in a timely manner and save money. Students also benefit from tailored coaching, aligned Academic Pathways, seamless credit transfer, and access to George Mason’s facilities and student life.

About the Position:

An Academic Coach provides multiple layers of holistic support for students pursuing higher education. ADVANCE Academic Coaches guide and encourage the growth and development of each student’s knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs about their ability to succeed in higher education as well as within their chosen field. ADVANCE Academic Coaches discuss all aspects of a student’s life that impact their academic performance.

This is a hybrid position in which coaches will work on the George Mason Fairfax campus and NOVA Loudoun campus. While the Academic Coach position serves both NOVA and George Mason, the position is formally housed within the Division for Enrollment Management at George Mason University.

Responsibilities:

• Focuses primarily on the execution of student support for the ADVANCE program;
• Provides holistic support for their assigned caseload of students and is available for the duration of students' time at NOVA as needed by using the university's chosen methodology in the eight focus areas of development (academics and major fit, school community, managing commitments, effectiveness, commitment to graduation, career exploration, finances, and health and support);
• Provides academic advising for ADVANCE students while at NOVA, using NOVA resources and ADVANCE academic pathway plan;
• Assists with students' career exploration and major fit processes to achieve academic and career goals, as well as identifies barriers to success and helps students implement strategies to overcome them;
• Provides guidance to students on how to navigate the ADVANCE program and how to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them through their participation;
• Monitors student progress and performance, analyzes problem areas, determines solutions and conducts intervention activities and processes for students;
• Meets with and provides success strategies to students; manages outreach and support efforts to students with a variety of academic and personal development skills necessary to achieve student success;
• Assists and supports all retention related efforts within the school/college to support success and retention efforts, while implementing interventions to improve student retention;
• Collaborates with academic advisors and other stakeholders to support student success;
• Provides appropriate, accurate, and timely referrals for students;
• Participates in outreach efforts related to the ADVANCE program;
• Participates in university wide foundational coaching training and ongoing professional development;
• Utilizes the chosen university platform for tracking and reporting student interactions and making referrals; and
• Performs other related duties as deemed appropriate by the employee's supervisor and/or their superiors. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience; 
• Demonstrated professional experience (typically one or more years) in one or more of the following areas: academic advising, student success coaching, orientation, disability services, veteran’s services, career services, student involvement, or student rights and responsibilities;
• Experience serving and supporting diverse student populations;
• Demonstrated successful work experience in Student Affairs, Student Services, or Higher Education administration;
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic advising and student support services in higher education;
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication, with a strong student service orientation;
• Ability to analyze and solve problems, coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events;
• Ability to analyze course prerequisites, degree progress, and graduation requirements;
• Ability to work successfully with special student populations including, but not limited to, first-generation, veteran, low-income, adult, and underrepresented students;
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team;
• Ability to analyze problem situations, identify feasible solutions, and present recommendations in a concise, logical, and systematic manner;
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of issues affecting the academic achievement, retention, and success of students from diverse backgrounds; and
• Proficiency with educational database management systems, constituent relationship management (CRM) software, and/or student information systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Success Coaching certification or related professional training preferred;
• Experience working with transfer students, particularly adult degree completers;
• Prior experience with educational database management systems and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Navigate, Slate);
• Demonstrated experience with leadership, communication, program development, and administrative responsibilities;
• Experience applying success coaching methodologies within an academic advising context;
• Familiarity with cognitive development theory of college-age students and/or career development theory;
• Familiarity with program development, assessment, and continuous improvement processes; and
• Demonstrated skill in effectively managing academic student success programs and services.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for ADVANCE Academic Coach at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: October 20, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  November 3, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes