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Human Resources

Associate Director / Academic Coach – TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

March 24, 2026
Position Vacancy Announcements

Associate Director / Academic Coach – TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)

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FLSA Classification

Exempt

Salary Range/Grade

Salary $55,000 - $75,000

Reports to

Executive Director of Collegiate TRIO Programs

Job Description 

Summary/objective

The Associate Director / Academic Coach provides leadership, coordination, and direct student support services for the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). The SSS program is a federally funded initiative designed to increase retention, persistence, good academic standing, and graduation rates among first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities.

The Associate Director assists the Executive Director of Collegiate TRIO Programs with program administration, strategic planning, and implementation of services that support the academic success of program participants. This role oversees key program components including academic coaching, participant recruitment, program orientations, guest speaker programming, grant aid scholarship administration, and compliance with federal reporting requirements.

The Associate Director / Academic Coach delivers holistic academic coaching and advising services to SSS participants, supporting students through academic planning, career exploration, financial literacy, and personal development. The position also plays a critical role in data management, evaluation, and submission of the program’s Annual Performance Report (APR) to the U.S. Department of Education.

Through individualized and group support services, the Associate Director ensures that SSS participants receive the resources, interventions, and support necessary to successfully matriculate and graduate from SUNO within the federally established program timeframe. 

Grant-Funded Position Statement

This position is fully funded through the federally funded TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of grant funding, program continuation, and satisfactory performance in achieving grant objectives and federal reporting requirements. The position must operate in compliance with all TRIO program regulations, federal grant guidelines, institutional policies, and reporting requirements, including submission of the Annual Performance Report (APR).

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Administration and Management

  1. Assist the Executive Director in the administration, coordination, and implementation of the TRIO Student Support Services Program.
  2. Coordinate program activities including guest speaker series, student orientations, workshops, and cultural enrichment events.
  3. Assist with management of the SSS Grant Aid Scholarship process, ensuring compliance with federal TRIO regulations.
  4. Monitor program performance indicators to ensure the program meets or exceeds federal objectives related to retention, academic standing, persistence, and graduation rates.
  5. Provide supervision, guidance, and training to SSS academic coaches, instructors, tutors, and program staff as assigned.
  6. Serve as a liaison between SSS and campus partners including Financial Aid, Registrar, Academic Colleges, Disability Services, Counseling Services, E-Learning, and other student support units.
  7. Represent SUNO and the SSS program at professional conferences, institutional events, and community engagement activities.

Academic Coaching and Student Support

  1. Provide intensive academic coaching and advising to assigned caseload of approximately 100 SSS participants.
  2. Develop and maintain an Individual Academic Plan (IAP) for each participant outlining academic goals, recommended services, and projected graduation timelines.
  3. Conduct individual and group coaching sessions addressing topics such as academic success strategies, goal setting, time management, financial literacy, graduate school preparation, and career exploration.
  4. Encourage student engagement in tutoring, supplemental instruction, workshops, leadership programs, and cultural enrichment activities.
  5. Assist students in developing self-advocacy skills and effective communication with faculty and academic advisors.
  6. Monitor early alerts, pre-midterm evaluations, attendance, and academic progress, implementing intervention strategies when necessary.

Recruitment and Outreach

  1. Assist with recruitment and selection of eligible SSS participants through campus presentations, outreach efforts, and collaboration with faculty and staff.
  2. Maintain communication with faculty, advisors, and campus partners to identify students who may benefit from program services.
  3. Data Management and Federal Reporting
  4. Maintain accurate student records and documentation in Blumen TRIO database system.
  5. Ensure timely and accurate data entry, tracking, and verification of participant services and outcomes.
  6. Coordinate the collection, management, and submission of the Annual Performance Report (APR) to the U.S. Department of Education.
  7. Ensure compliance with federal TRIO regulations, institutional policies, and grant reporting requirements.

Institutional Engagement

  1. Serve on institutional committees and collaborative initiatives that support student success and college completion initiatives.
  2. Participate in program assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen program outcomes.
  3. All other duties as assigned.

 

Work environment

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment within a university setting. Work activities may include office work, classroom engagement, student meetings, and participation in campus events.

Physical demands

  • Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods
  • Ability to climb stairs when necessary
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment
  • Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds

Required education and experience

  • Master’s degree in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Leadership, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in academic advising, academic coaching, counseling, student success programming, or related services within a higher education environment.
  • Demonstrated experience working with TRIO programs or similar initiatives serving first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, or students with disabilities.
  • Experience providing academic support services, retention programming, or student success interventions.
  • Experience with data collection, program evaluation, and federal grant reporting.
  • Knowledge of financial aid processes and scholarship opportunities.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment when working with student records.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and community partners in a collaborative environment.

Preferred education and experience

  • Prior experience working within a federally funded TRIO Student Support Services program.
  • Experience using Blumen or similar TRIO data management systems.
  • Experience coordinating student success programming, workshops, or academic intervention initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships across academic and student affairs divisions.
  • Experience supporting first-generation college students and other historically underrepresented student populations.

 

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

Non-Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.

 

This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

 

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

 

Southern University at New Orleans ■ 6400 SUNO Knights Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126 ■ (504) 286-5148

 

An Equal Opportunity Employer

State as a Model Employer - SAME