The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking an energetic, creative, and highly organized Student Success Coordinator to join one of the fastest-growing and most innovative colleges on campus. As CECS continues to redefine the future of higher education through emerging technologies, interdisciplinary learning, and career-connected academic programs, we are looking for a motivated professional who is passionate about helping students discover opportunities, build connections, and achieve success.
The Student Success Coordinator will play an important role in shaping the student experience at CECS, supporting students throughout their academic journey, from initial recruitment and enrollment through engagement, academic progression, and graduation. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of a dynamic college by supporting academic advising operations, coordinating meaningful student engagement experiences, and helping bring innovative programs and events to life.
Reporting directly to the Director of Student Engagement and Success (DSES), with a dotted-line relationship to the Director of Advising, the Student Success Coordinator will work collaboratively across advising, student engagement, recruitment, enrollment, outreach, and events. The position provides essential academic and operational support while advancing the advising and student success and engagement goals of CECS.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, bring creativity and initiative to their work, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to student success. This position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support college events and student programming.
Responsibilities
Student Engagement, Recruitment, and Outreach
- Implement creative strategies under the direction of the Director of Student Engagement and Success to strengthen recruitment, enrollment, student participation, and a sense of belonging within CECS.
- Guide prospective students and families through the recruitment and enrollment process with program information, responsive communication, and consistent follow-up.
- Represent CECS at college fairs, school visits, and community activities, building relationships with schools, organizations, and educational partners.
Events and Student Programming
- Plan and execute recruitment events, orientations, RISE programming, graduation activities, career fairs, and student recognition programs.
- Manage event logistics, including scheduling, reservations, vendors, purchasing, registration, materials, on-site operations, and follow-up.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to create welcoming, inclusive experiences and maintain a coordinated college events calendar.
Advising and Academic Operations Support
- Serve as the primary degree audit (DARS) encoder, processing approved exceptions, substitutions, waivers, and curricular actions.
- Coordinate academic petitions from submission through review, approval, and communication of outcomes.
- Respond to routine advising inquiries, communicate academic requirements and deadlines, refer complex matters, and coordinate advising appointments and coverage.
- Partner with advising leadership to improve processes supporting student progression and timely degree completion.
Administrative and Operational Support
- Provide administrative support to the Director of Advising and Director of Student Engagement and Success.
- Coordinate hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, time reporting, and professional development for student ambassadors and assistants.
- Support student staff meetings and student organization activities.
- Manage promotional inventory, supplies, and production and distribution of marketing and communication materials.
- Maintain accurate records and tracking systems across recruitment, events, and advising; compile participation and outcome data to support assessment and improvement while protecting student confidentiality.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree; or a combination of four or more years of relevant administrative, student services, event coordination, or related experience.
- Demonstrated experience providing administrative or operational support in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage professionally with students, families, faculty, staff, and external partners.
- Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records, databases, and documentation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent service and supporting student success.
- Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required for student programming, recruitment activities, and college events.
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, academic advising support, student services, student engagement, recruitment, admissions, enrollment, or event coordination.
- Experience with degree audit systems, student information systems, or academic records processing.
- Familiarity with DARS/u.achieve, Banner, or comparable university systems.
- Experience coordinating academic petitions, advising operations, or student-facing administrative processes.
- Experience planning and executing student programs, recruitment events, or large-scale events.
- Experience coordinating or supervising student employees, ambassadors, or student organizations.
- Knowledge of FERPA and university academic policies and procedures.
- Experience with data tracking, reporting, assessment, or process improvement.
The successful candidate will demonstrate
- A passion for student success: A genuine commitment to helping students navigate their academic journey, build connections, and achieve their educational goals.
- Creativity and initiative: The ability to bring fresh ideas, identify opportunities, and contribute to innovative student experiences and programs.
- Exceptional organization: Strong attention to detail and the ability to coordinate multiple projects, events, deadlines, and operational responsibilities.
- Adaptability and flexibility: Comfort working in a rapidly growing college where priorities, programs, and opportunities continue to evolve.
- Strong relationship-building skills: The ability to engage effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, and campus and community partners.
- A collaborative mindset: A willingness to work across functional areas, support colleagues, and contribute to shared goals.
- A service-oriented approach: A commitment to providing timely, accurate, welcoming, and professional assistance to students and stakeholders.
- Problem-solving and sound judgment: The ability to take initiative, identify solutions, and maintain accuracy and confidentiality in complex administrative processes.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville, TN, UTK Campus
Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR05
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments: Resume; Cover Letter
EEO/AA Statement / Non-Discrimination Statement
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.