Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Learn and Thrive Coach

Position Summary

The Strategic Retention Unit Learn & Thrive Coaches support student success and retention initiatives that improve the student experience, close opportunity gaps, and increase MSU’s graduation rate. Specifically, Learn & Thrive Coaches will lead proactive retention initiatives by providing individual success coaching to students and facilitating group learning opportunities such as interactive workshops and presentations. This is a pool posting for up to three individuals to be hired.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Providing one-on-one academic, social-emotional, and life-skills coaching to a caseload of undergraduate students
• Initiating and establishing relationships with coaching students to proactively address barriers including personal, financial, academic, and institutional challenges
• Providing holistic 1-on-1 support and case management with a strengths-based and solution-focused mindset
• Assisting students in accessing, and developing appropriate skills required to access campus and community resources to support their personal and academic success
• Building and maintaining an inventory of resources available to students across MSU and the greater Lansing area and mapping them to barriers they seek to address
• Designing and implementing data-informed strategies that proactively support student success and progression
• Teaching and co-teaching student success workshops related to common coaching skills and student concerns to educate students, MSU staff, and the community
• Tracking coaching program data to assist in the measurement of student growth and program effectiveness, as well as the relationship between coaching and student graduation outcomes
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of coaching sessions and student progress
• Participating in data-informed student outreach campaigns coordinated by the Strategic Retention Unit
• Partnering with University Advising, college s, support programs, Student Life and Engagement, and Undergraduate Edu cation leadership to contribute to overall student success and retention efforts at MSU
• Serving as an informational liaison between students and campus departments including, but not limited to, Financial Aid, Advising, Career Services, Student Accounts, Academic Departments , and the Registrar’s Office

Communications /Interpersonal Relationships:

Interacts with

• Strategic Retention Unit team members - in order to coordinate priorities, problem solve and share in formation.
• College/unit retention partners - in order to serve as a resource person and collaborate on campus-wide SCND initiatives.< /li>
• Referral Agents/Agencies on Campus and in Community - in order to exchange releasable case information, discuss services and support available to returning students, and make or receive referrals.
• Strategic Retention Coordinator/Strategic Retention Unit Support Staff - in order to coordinate activities and provide support and advice.
• Students - in order to advise, refer to campus resources, and discuss situations.

Responsibility for the Work of Others:

Will provide first level supervision for Strategic Retention Unit graduate assistants and MSW and BSW practicum placements as needed.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Masters in social work, human services, psychology, or education; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in administration, program development and personnel development and training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Desired Qualifications

• Masters degree in a relevant field such as social work, human services, psychology, or education
• 3 – 5 years of relevant work experience in student affairs, counseling, college-level success coaching, education, or another related field
• Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to work effectively with campus partners and develop rapport with students and supporters
• Superior organizational and project management skills
• Experience conducting outreach with undergraduate students
• Experience working with data including synthesizing, tracking, and reporting
• Demonstrated commitment to and support of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and the mission and purpose of Michigan State University
• Experience in academic advising, student recruitment, student retention, or student services administration
• Experience working with non-traditional, diverse, underrepresented and/or first-generation populations in an educational setting
• Knowledge of trauma-inform ed practices, coaching models, or student support services
• Familiarity with MSU campus and/or Lansing community resources
• Deep knowledge of student development, student success, and/or career exploration theories
• Ability to provide case management and student support services in a higher education setting
• Track record of promoting and supporting access and excellence for all students

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

A complete application packet will contain a resume or CV, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

sru.msu.edu

Bidding eligibility ends July 7, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.