Student Success Coordinator

Career Guide
A Student Success Coordinator supports students from onboarding through completion by removing barriers, improving engagement, and connecting students to the right academic and support resources. The role blends advising, communication, and program coordination to increase retention and graduation outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Guide new students through onboarding and orientation
  • Monitor student engagement and outreach to students at risk
  • Coordinate academic support services such as tutoring and coaching
  • Connect students to financial aid, accessibility, and wellness resources
  • Track student progress and document interactions in student information systems
  • Partner with faculty and advisors to address academic concerns early
  • Run workshops on study skills, time management, and campus navigation
  • Support case management for complex student situations
  • Collect feedback from students and report common barriers
  • Help improve success programs by refining processes and communication templates

Top Skills for Success

Student Advising
Case Management
Empathy
Active Listening
Written Communication
Time Management
Conflict De-escalation
Student Information Systems
Customer Service
Data Literacy

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Student Success Specialist
Academic Advisor
Retention Specialist
Career Services Advisor
Student Support Services Coordinator
Transition Opportunities
Student Success Manager
Director of Student Success
Program Manager
Academic Success Coach
Enrollment Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Student Information SystemsData ReportingProgram EvaluationCrisis ResponseAccessibility PracticesResource Navigation
Development SuggestionsBuild comfort with student systems by practicing notes, flags, and follow-up workflows. Strengthen data reporting by tracking a small set of metrics such as outreach volume and appointment attendance. Learn basic program evaluation by running a short feedback survey and summarizing findings. Train for crisis response and referral protocols. Improve accessibility practices by applying inclusive communication standards in emails and workshops.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 38,000 to 50,000
Mid LevelUSD 50,000 to 65,000
Senior LevelUSD 65,000 to 85,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, with increased hiring tied to retention goals, online program growth, and expanded student support services. Demand tends to be strongest in institutions focused on enrollment stability and student outcomes.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
Public universitiesPrivate universitiesCommunity collegesOnline universitiesVocational and technical schoolsEducation technology companiesNonprofit education providers
Industry Sectors
Higher EducationOnline EducationContinuing EducationWorkforce DevelopmentEducation TechnologyNonprofit Education

Recommended Next Steps

1
Create a student outreach template set for onboarding, check-ins, and re-engagement
2
Practice a repeatable case management workflow with clear documentation and follow-ups
3
Shadow an academic advisor to learn referral paths and common student issues
4
Take short training in conflict de-escalation and crisis referral protocols
5
Build a simple weekly dashboard to track outreach, attendance, and resolved cases
6
Update your resume with outcome metrics such as retention improvement or response rates
7
Join professional groups focused on student affairs and student success