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Western Carolina University

Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS - #261086

🇺🇸 Cullowhee, NC

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Academic Advising

🗓️ January 9th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Western Carolina University is hiring an Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS to manage academic programming and provide proactive services for the TRIO DSSS program within the Office of Accessibility Resources. The role involves delivering student-centered counseling, mentorship, and case management to promote academic achievement and retention, while also assisting in data analysis and compliance with federal accessibility mandates.

Highlights
  • Manage academic programming and proactive services for TRIO DSSS participants.
  • Provide strengths-based counseling, mentorship, case management, and interventions to support academic success and enrollment retention.
  • Collaborate with Office of Accessibility Resources staff and university faculty to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
  • Assist in data collection, analysis, and grant reporting to evaluate program outcomes.
  • Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • Required degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Disability Studies, Special Education, or related fields.
  • Strong advocacy skills for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
  • Experience with TRIO or similar programs and knowledge of neurocognitive differences preferred.
  • Full-time, time-limited position funded by a federal TRIO grant through September 2030.
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship and maintain confidentiality and effective communication skills.

Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS - #261086 Full Description

Western Carolina University has been ranked #3 in the nation on Forbes 2025 ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, out of the top 498 employers across all industries.

Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS - #261086 Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job

Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.

To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references with their complete contact information.

For questions or additional information, please contact Lee Roddick-Brown at lroddick@email.wcu.edu
Posting Details
Posting Information
Posting Number EHRA1024P
Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/32626
Classification Title Academic Advisor
Working Title Academic Success Coach - TRIO DSSS - #261086
Department Accessibility Services
Anticipated Hiring Range Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.
About WCU
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:
• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary
The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA). The anticipated begin work date is early 2026.

This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.

The Academic Success Coach manages academic programing and proactive services for the TRIO DSSS program within the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). Reporting to the Associate Director of OAR-TRIO DSSS, this grant-funded position serves as a key resource ensuring that all DSSS participants have the support and guidance needed to ensure their academic, personal, and professional success. The Academic and Success Coach will work in collaboration with OAR administrative staff to accomplish unit goals and objectives.

Primary responsibilities include provision of student-centered, strengths-based counseling, mentorship, case management, and proactive interventions to promote academic achievement and enrollment retention. This position also assists in data collection and analysis for grant reporting purposes and assists program directors in meeting and evaluating program outcomes.

The Academic and Success Coach will also work alongside the DSSS and OAR teams as a consultant, serving University faculty and staff to ensure accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with federal mandates, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its amendments (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively with different populations and University constituents, collaborate with all segments of the University in identifying difficulties and barriers for students with disabilities, and provide solutions for problems preventing students with disabilities form achieving their academic potential. Must be a strong advocate for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences.

Willingness and ability to advocate for students in instances when traditional processes and strategies have not met with success. Plus: Experience with TRIO/SSS programs, an understanding of disabilities or neurocognitive differences, and knowledge of student development theories and practices.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Disability Studies, Special Education, or a closely related academic field.
  • Proven capability to effectively support and engage with students who have diverse backgrounds, learning approaches, and individual needs.
  • Professional commitment to maintaining confidentiality and respecting individual differences.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Effective communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience and knowledge of TRIO or similar programs.
  • Knowledge of ADHD, learning disabilities, autism and other neurocognitive differences.
  • Experience and knowledge of barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences; experience supporting individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or physical and/or neurocognitive differences; experience building relationships with individuals with physical or neurocognitive differences.
  • Experience creating presentations, workshops, and training programs both in-person and virtually. Experience leading group and individual academic, career, and/or personal coaching.
Position Type Time-Limited Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week 40
Number of Months Per Year 12
Posting Text
Open Date 01/07/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. This position is funded through a federal TRIO grant, with an initial five-year funding period secured through September 2030. Continued employment is contingent upon renewal of grant funding.

To be considered, you must apply online. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references with their complete contact information.

For questions or additional information, please contact Lee Roddick-Brown at lroddick@email.wcu.edu
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  2. Resume
  3. List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Do you require sponsorship?
    • Yes
    • No

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