Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Overview
This graduate position is a campus-based leadership position for the TRIO SSS program which supports low-income, first generation college students as they complete their undergraduate  degrees. Visit our website at sss.appstate.edu to learn more.

Position Overview
This 20-hour a week position will serve as an Academic Coach for referred upperclassmen TRIO SSS students and will also mentor assigned first year TRIO SSS students as well. Through coaching, TRIO SSS Academic Coaches will support 6-10 upperclassmen students who are academically at risk and/or who are preparing for additional education/professional opportunities (graduate school, internships, etc.). Through TRIO SSS mentoring, Academic Coaches will support 12-14 first year students with their transition into college. The balance of coaching and mentoring means each Academic Coach will spend a max of 15 hours per week working directly supporting students.

Additional hours will be spent in training, meetings, co-planning workshops/trips, taking notes, consulting with campus partners, and receiving supervision support from advisors in the program. Ideal candidates will take initiative and have strong leadership, communication, organization and time management skills. See additional critical components below for more information.

The following is a list of critical components required of the two Academic Coaches:

• Form positive individual relationships with mentoring and coaching students through weekly one-on-one sessions, serving as a role model while helping each student be successful
• Connect mentoring and coaching students with campus resources (example resources include: University Tutoring, The Writing Center, The Counseling Center, the Career Center, and more)
• Advocate for mentoring and coaching students by finding the best resources for them
• Make efforts to contact students who miss appointments or seem to be out of touch. Communicate any concerns to the academic advisor
• Maintain records of all contacts with your students and topics covered
• Maintain records of hours worked and submit, in a timely manner, to your students' advisor.
• Co-create, facilitate, teach, and promote workshops for TRIO SSS students as you see appropriate (topics include study strategies, educational and professional development as well as hosting wellness-centered and community events)
• Co-lead at least one regional graduate school day trip for a small handful of students with the support from the TRIO SSS advisors
• Participate in bi-weekly 1.5 hour long mentor training throughout the year in order to become a CRLA Level 2 Certified Mentor. These training sessions include presentations from campus partners in The Office of Equity and Inclusion, Counseling Center, Wellness Center, University Sustainability, The Career Center, and more
• Meet at least once every two weeks with your students' advisor (your students should all have the same academic advisor 1 hour/biweekly)
• Meet with the TRIO SSS staff team weekly to discuss student coaching student progress and plan workshops and additional services for students

Qualifications:

• Enrolled in a graduate program at Appalachian. Preference for graduate studies related to education, counseling, or student development, but students from all disciplines are welcome to apply
• Evidence of academic excellence
• Desire to get to know and support incoming and continuing undergraduate students
• Creativity, enthusiasm, and flexibility
• Ability to take initiative in planning events
• Ability to keep organized records
• Excellent communication skills
• Good managerial skills
• Strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills

Compensation and Hours:
20 hours/per week
Position pays ~$16.67/hr ($5,000 per semester; $10,000 per year) and runs
August 2025-May 2026

Apply for Position Here: https://forms.gle/yKLpxNry3ZvoShQ78

For more information or questions, please contact Allyson Murphy, Assistant Director of TRIO SSS, at murphyag2@appstate.edu