Coach, motivate, and guide students every step of the way 

 We’re Sonoran Desert Institute and we are seeking an experienced Student Success Coach to join our team 

Our story:

Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) has been changing lives since 2000. As a DEAC accredited school, our mission is to provide students with current, industry-driven, quality education, delivered through online distance education and practical applications. SDI is an employee-owned company creating a culture with an ownership mentality at the foundation. We believe in rewarding our employees through the success of the institution. We’re proud to be recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute as a Great Place to Work for both 2023 and 2024 — and we’re just getting started.  Come be a part of our dynamic organization where you will have the ability to impact the lives of others as they pursue their educational journey with us.

 
What you'll be doing: 

The SDI Student Success Coach plays a crucial role in supporting SDI's overall growth strategy and advancing its mission by focusing on student retention, satisfaction, and graduation rates. Working under direct supervision, an effective Student Success Coach assists students in cultivating the skills, behaviors, and habits essential for success in college. These skills include setting academic and career goals, developing learning strategies, managing time and organization, practicing self-regulation, and fostering self-accountability. Additionally, the Student Success Coach provides guidance to students on essential topics such as program preparation, registration, scheduling, and funding.

• Supports student persistence and completion by managing a caseload.
• Monitors the progress of assigned students through regular check-ins, scheduled meetings, proactive outreach, and effective communication, addressing their questions, concerns, and needs.
• Conducts academic coaching through individual or group sessions that help students evaluate their performance and create academic success plans.
• Assists students in navigating online courses, building self-efficacy by identifying and overcoming barriers to their academic success, and helping them develop strong time management and organizational skills.
• Encourages students to practice self-regulation and take ownership of their academic journeys.
• Aids students in identifying, developing, and applying learning strategies and study skills tailored to their course materials.
• Refers students to relevant academic staff and support resources, collaborating with others to monitor and enhance the academic progress of referred students.
• Provides direct support to an assigned group of students from enrollment to graduation.
• Offers personalized assistance based on identified risk factors, including academic and socio-emotional issues, and helps formulate individual success plans.
• Counsels and advises students via phone, email, text, and other online communication methods.
• Closely tracks student attendance and grades in a database to ensure retention and progression.
• Consistently meets departmental expectations and compliance standards.
• Delivers accurate, comprehensive, and timely information regarding school policies and procedures to students.
• Responds promptly, professionally, and accurately to student inquiries.
• Documents student interactions in the appropriate systems accurately and in a timely fashion.
• Organizes and participates in Student Success events.
• Builds meaningful relationships with a diverse range of students to promote their success.
• Assists returning students with the re-entry process.
• Ensures that all verbal and electronic communications present SDI’s programs and courses positively and professionally, free from misrepresentations and in compliance with various regulatory agencies, including DEAC, the Department of Education, ATF, DOD, the State of Arizona, VA, FERPA, and others.
• Other tasks as assigned.

 What we offer:

• Highly competitive compensation
• Award winning culture 
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Comprehensive benefits package with 100% company-paid medical option for employee
• 401(k) with generous company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Company-paid Life insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer time off!)
• 14 Paid holidays
• Referral program
• Education Tuition Benefit program
• Career development opportunities with a growing company
• And perhaps most importantly, a team who is dedicated to your success!

What we're looking for: 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• One year or more experience in Student Services or Student Support, required
• One year of higher education experience, preferred
• Strong customer service and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and support diverse student populations 
• Ability to assess student needs and connect them with appropriate resources and services 
• Skilled in managing administrative tasks with accuracy, organization, and attention to detail 
• Capable of interpreting and clearly communicating policies, procedures, and program requirements 
• Demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism while maintaining confidentiality 
• Proficient in or able to quickly learn computer systems and digital communication tools
• Some travel required, up to 5%

Sonoran Desert Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It recruits and hires without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any factors prohibited by law and affirms in policy and practice to support equal opportunity in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

*Unless specifically agreed upon, SDI does not provide relocation assistance

**Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

***All benefits not available immediately upon hire. Some eligibility requirements may need to be met to be eligible for some benefits based on company policy.