Student Success Specialist

Company: Southwest Technical College
Location: Fennimore
Posted on: April 4, 2025

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Please read the following job description thoroughly to ensure you are the right fit for this role before applying.
The Student Success Plan Specialist plays a critical role in guiding prospective students-both high school and adult
learners-through the transformational journey of building a student success plan that leads to behavioral change and
long-term career success. This position ensures that students recognize the value of structured planning by helping them
create clear pathways to high-wage careers through career assessments, financial planning, and academic roadmaps
with built-in support services.
Understanding that students, especially working adults, often struggle to fit education into their busy lives, this role
requires flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and weekends-meeting students on their terms rather than expecting
them to adjust to ours. A successful candidate will have the ability to build trust, nurture relationships, and connect
meaningfully with students at all stages of life, particularly those who are juggling work and education.
Additionally, the specialist will spend considerable time recruiting in high schools, working closely with students, parents,
counselors, and school administrators to promote dual enrollment opportunities and help students see how college can fit
into their future. This includes delivering presentations, meeting one-on-one with students, attending high school events,
and collaborating with K-12 partners to ensure a smooth transition to postsecondary education.
Beyond high school engagement, the specialist will also find innovative ways to connect with working adults, helping them
see how upskilling can lead to better wages and economic growth for Southwest Wisconsin. This includes outreach to
employers, community organizations, and workforce partners to ensure students have the resources, mentorship, and
guidance necessary to pursue educational opportunities that align with industry needs. Spanish-speaking ability is a plus,
helping to expand access and support for diverse student populations. This employee will work 11:00 - 7:30 Monday-Wednesday and 8:00 - 4:30 Thursday-Friday.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
--- Recruit and support students: Spend significant time recruiting in high schools and working with students, parents,
and counselors to promote dual enrollment opportunities and college pathways. Provide career exploration
guidance and help students develop success plans aligned with high-wage careers.
--- Facilitate student success planning: Assist students-both high school and adult learners-in creating structured
academic, career, and financial plans. Interpret career assessments, transfer credits, and articulated credits to
ensure students have clear pathways to completion.
--- Engage with high schools and the community: Represent the college at high school visits, career fairs, and events
to increase awareness of technical education. Collaborate with K-12 partners and workforce organizations to
ensure smooth transitions for students.
--- Support student retention and persistence: Identify and address barriers to student success through intervention
strategies, academic alerts, and personalized support. Connect students to advising, academic resources,
financial planning, and student services.
--- Collaborate across college departments: Work closely with deans, advisors, faculty, and enrollment staff to
ensure accurate registration, course scheduling, and student support services. Troubleshoot challenges to ensure
student success.
--- Promote lifelong learning: Engage with working adults, helping them understand how education fits into their lives
and career advancement goals. Build trust and develop outreach strategies to increase participation in technical
education.
--- Maintain compliance and best practices: Stay up to date on college policies, enrollment processes, and FERPA
regulations while continuously improving advising and recruitment procedures.
--- Maintain flexibility: Recognizing that students often need support outside traditional hours, be available for
evening and weekend outreach to meet students where they are.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
--- Associate's degree in an education, counseling, workforce development, or a related field and at least three years
of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully
perform the essential duties of the job.
--- Career Development Facilitator Certification (or willingness to obtain within one year of hire).
--- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a plus, supporting efforts to expand access and engagement with diverse
student population

KNOWLEDGE
--- Knowledge of Southwest Tech programs,
workforce trends, and economic development
initiatives in Southwest Wisconsin preferred.
--- Strong understanding of career exploration
resources to assist students in aligning their
academic pursuits with career goals that lead to
high-wage employment.
--- Familiarity with adult learning theory and the
unique challenges faced by non-traditional and
working adult students in accessing and
completing postsecondary education.
--- Knowledge of student success principles,
including coaching strategies, behavioral change
models, and student engagement techniques
tailored to diverse learner needs.
--- Understanding of higher education policies,
financial aid, and enrollment procedures,
including dual credit and transfer options.
--- Experience in community outreach, employer
engagement, and workforce development to
support career pathways and economic mobility
for students.
--- Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques to
respond effectively to students experiencing
academic, financial, personal, or emotional
challenges.
--- Awareness of culturally responsive advising practices and an ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds, including first generation students and English language
learners.

SKILLS
--- Exceptional relationship-building and trust development skills, especially in working with
students balancing employment, family responsibilities, and education.
--- Strong coaching and mentoring abilities, using
student-centered strategies to guide learners in
making informed academic, career, and financial
decisions.
--- Highly flexible and adaptable approach to accommodate students' availability, including evenings and weekends.
--- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to
explain complex academic and career planning
concepts in a clear, supportive, and engaging way.
--- Proactive problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, helping students navigate barriers to academic success.
--- Strong data literacy, with the ability to track student progress, analyze trends, and use insights to improve student retention and completion.
--- Organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects, track key deadlines, and
maintain accurate records while working both independently and collaboratively.
--- Proficiency in technology and student success platforms, including CRM tools, student
information systems, virtual advising software, and data collection platforms.
--- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a plus, supporting efforts to expand access and engagement with diverse student populations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS STATEMENT
--- Southwest Tech is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. While certain job roles may require physical capabilities, we welcome applicants of all abilities and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and in the workplace.

APPLICATIONS
Internal and External applicants complete and submit the online employment application at www.swtc.edu/jobs. For questions regarding the application process, or if you need an accommodation, please email Human Resources at humanresources@swtc.edu or 608.822.2314. (TDD: 608.822.2072)

SALARY RANGES
Hourly B23: $42,711.17 - $55,525.36

BENEFITS/SERVICES
Our comprehensive benefit package includes the following and much more:
--- Health Insurance
--- Dental Insurance
--- Vision Insurance
--- Life Insurance
--- Long-Term Disability
--- Health Savings Account
--- Health Club Access
--- Wisconsin Retirement
System Contribution
--- On-campus day care (hourly
rate charged)
--- College Savings Program
--- Additional Voluntary
Benefits
--- Paid Time Off

SELECTION PROCESS
The Review Committee will screen applicants and contact them for an interview. Meeting the minimum qualifications does
not assure the candidate an interview. Final candidate's employment offer may be subject to completion of a criminal
background check and pre-employment drug screening.
Southwest Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and
activities. The Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies. Call 800-362-3322, Ext. 2315 (TDD: 608-822-2072) or write Southwest Tech, 1800 Bronson Blvd.,
Fennimore, WI 53809

Keywords: Southwest Technical College, La Crosse , Student Success Specialist, Other , Fennimore, Wisconsin