Student Success Guide

**Position description**:
Reporting to the Director, Student Experience, the Student Success Guide will provide generalist support services directly to undergraduate students. This position will help students plan their academic and co-curricular journeys at Mount Allison, and help them be aware of, understand, and navigate the breadth of student opportunities (e.g. internships, international exchange, career advising, etc.) and services (e.g. health & wellness, Meighen Centre, etc.) available to students. In this capacity, the Student Success Guide will assist in planning each student’s journey, have update/check-in meetings with students at least once per semester, and direct them to specialist supports (e.g. faculty/degree/program-specific academic advising, counselling services, campus groups and associations, etc.) when necessary. The role is focused on ensuring excellence in student experience from pre-entry to graduation, nurturing a sense of belonging in the campus community, and improving student success, retention, and graduation rates across all programs.

The Student Success Guide is responsible for connecting with each assigned student, starting with their transition to Mount Allison, helping each student develop their academic and co-curricular journeys, and directing students towards specialist assistance where needed. To meet student needs, this position is designed to work flexible, irregular hours including evenings and weekends on occasion.

Note: Responsibilities of this new position may evolve over time as this position and related processes mature.

**Position Responsibilities**
- Each Student Success Guide will be assigned approximately 300 students. The goal is for each Guide to work with each student throughout their student years at Mount Allison (i.e. the same Guide assigned to a student at entry will remain with the student throughout);
- Ensure smooth hand-off from recruitment/admissions and meet with each assigned student as they transition into Mount Allison for an introduction and overview of available support;
- Meet with each assigned student as needed and at least each term, and be available for inquiries throughout the year;
- Assist students with arranging (and attend where needed) meetings with advisors and support staff where needed to ensure that students are provided with the most relevant information and expertise;
- Provide general assistance to students in planning and navigating the myriad opportunities and services available to students, with focus on building student confidence and a sense of agency;
- Where necessary, liaise with specialist support staff (e.g. academic advisors, counsellors, student advisors) as well as Academic Deans, Registrar, Department Heads, Program Advisors, and other relevant stakeholders to resolve questions/concerns/problems identified during Student Success Guide interactions;
- Keep abreast of current research literature and best practices in student experience, particularly regarding equity-deserving groups, first generation, and international students;
- Develop and update materials and web content for new incoming and current students;
- In collaboration with other departments, develop and maintain innovative and cost-effective on-line and print self-help resources for students and support advisors (e.g., social media, degree audit forms, on-line Program Evaluation, resource tutorials, FAQ’s, other web-based self-help tools); constantly seek ways to improve student experience;
- Refer students to other resources when educational, attitudinal, attendance, financial, employment, or other personal problems require the service of other professionals;
- Update and maintain accurate records in student information systems;
- Assist other support staff when available and in consultation with their supervisor (e.g. programming support, staff coverage);
- Meet with prospective students/support Open Houses and other recruitment-related events as a resource;
- Work with the Director of Student Experience on the development of orientation programming;
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

**Qualifications/skills**:

- Bachelor’s degree with preference given to graduates of Mount Allison;
- Substantive familiarity with University academic programs, services and student life experience;
- Prior experience working in a university setting preferred;
- Ability to hold sensitive information in confidence;
- Excellent client services orientation;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong intercultural sensitivity and cross-cultural communication skills;
- Familiarity with unique needs and typical barriers faced by equity-deserving groups and first generation/international students (lived experience a valuable asset);
- Strong listening skills, patience, and a professional orientation;
- Strong problem-solving skills with an ability to recommend and encourage potential solutions within the framework of University policy a