Student Success Navigator

Job Description Summary

The Student Success Navigator (SSN) at Miami University plays a vital role in providing personalized, holistic support to undergraduate students, particularly those in the exploratory phase of their academic journey. Newly housed in Enrollment Management and Student Success, we will be student-centered and focused on retention, building community, and utilizing valuable resources across campus. SSNs work closely with students to help them explore their options and make informed decisions regarding their majors, courses, and overall academic path. They address various aspects of student life, including academic performance, financial concerns, and emotional and social well-
being. SSNs are dedicated professionals who prioritize student well-being and aim to create authentic relationships with each student. Our mission is to support students in achieving a rich and meaningful college experience.

The Student Success Center will be hiring two positions.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individual support for new, exploratory students (undecided), Pathways program, and participants in student success programs (e.g., Bridges, GradU8, ElevateFirst and First-Gen Scholars).
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Miami University's departments, resources, services, and student-focused policies and procedures.
• Foster ongoing relationships with colleagues and partners across the campus.
• Apply student success and persistence theories, student identity development, advising, and learning theories to shape student interactions.
• Use effective listening and advising practices to assist students from diverse backgrounds in accessing university resources and opportunities and developing graduation plans.
• Document advising sessions in EAB Navigate and consistently follow up with students using university systems.
• Utilize multiple modalities for student interaction, including texting (through EAB), phone, email, and meetings through in-person or interactive video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet).
• Establish a campus presence at events and activities to demonstrate a
• commitment to student success.
• Communicate effectively and timely in writing and verbally with campus constituents.
• Assist in meeting with GradU8 scholars and program development with the Sr Assistant Director of Student Success.
• Assist in meeting with Miami First Gen students and program development with the Sr Assistant Director of Student Success.

The position focused on Gradu8 and First Generation Students will have the following additional job duties:

• Assist in meeting with GradU8 scholars and program development with the Sr Assistant Direct of Student Success.
• Assist in meeting with Miami First Gen students and program development with the Sr Assistant Direct of Student Success.

The position focused on ElevateFirst and EABNavigate 360 will have the following additional job duties:

• Support the Sr Assistant Director with ElevateFirst programming, messaging and student meetings.
• Communicate effectively and timely in writing and verbally with campus constituents.
• Assist with campus-wide training for faculty and staff around the use of EAB Navigate360, including 1:1 and in small groups for both existing and new features.
• Assist with the maintenance of the Navigate360 platform including platform configurations, maintaining permissions, and troubleshooting help tickets related to Navigate.
• Work with EAB Leadership team and campus partners to help in the development and implementation of Navigate360 strategy and development of best practices as new features are released .

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• Demonstrated ability to use relationship-building techniques to ensure continued engagement with students and campus partners.
• Proven decision-making skills for quick, informed, and appropriate decisions essential to understanding students’ needs and identifying solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Knowledge of higher education retention, advising, and student development theories.
• Experience working with students in roles such as tutor, intervention specialist, educational learning specialist, or equivalent positions.
• Experience teaching at the college level.
• Familiarity with Banner, Workday, EAB Navigate, and other predictive analytics and student information systems.
• Ability to develop creative student success strategies based on data.
• Proficiency in learning and understanding technology/software programs.
• Experience in proactive advising/support roles.
• Understanding and using large data sets to make informed decisions
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must possess energy, empathy, listening skills, and a desire to work in an innovative, proactive, and student-centered position.

Additional Key Performance Tasks:

• Students frequently seek help with finding or switching majors, selecting classes, and discussing class options candidly
• Assistance needed for students aiming to earn admission to specific programs (e.g., FSB).
• Addressing homesickness, lack of friends, and feelings of insufficient academic preparation.
• Supporting students overwhelmed by academics or feeling unsupported on campus.
• Guidance on understanding Miami policies (e.g., course repeat policy, academic probation, academic dishonesty)
• Assistance with scholarship needs
• General transfer processes
• Addressing health issues affecting academic performance and unresponsive faculty.
• Educating students on effective communication with professors (e.g., drafting
• emails)
• A significant portion of the role involves communication with parents
• Providing resources and support to parents and students to ensure they feel heard and supported.
• Presenting to students and families at Orientation

Required Application Documents

Resume and cover letter