TRIO Student Success Advisor

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all, and focused on each of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 132-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The TRIO Student Success Advisor provides individualized, holistic support to scholars in MCLA's TRIO Student Support Services, a federally-funded program that provides enhanced support for college students who are first generation, come from a low-income background, and/or have a disability. This primarily student-facing position offers regular and drop-in support for TRIO scholars' academic, social, personal development, and well-being needs. This position also contributes to the planning and delivery of events, programs, and initiatives designed to support TRIO scholars and assists with administrative support for the program.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to the Director of TRIO Student Support Services

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May supervise student employees and interns.

DETAILED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide academic and holistic coaching, advising, and support to a caseload of students from TRIO's target population of 160 undergraduates who are first generation, come from a low-income background, and/or have a disability.
• Help staff the TRIO office; greet and work with students who drop in seeking information or assistance; answer phones; help monitor and respond to the TRIO shared email account and other incoming communications.
• Help students design and implement enhanced academic and holistic success plans that address their individual goals, objectives, and needs. Support successful goal completion and monitor student progress toward established goals.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of supports that are available to MCLA students; provide guided referrals to campus offices and programs as appropriate. Assist students in navigating MCLA's organizational structures and technology platforms.
• Assist students in developing self-awareness, confidence and self-efficacy by identifying strengths, cultural assets, and opportunity areas for growth, including through the administration and interpretation of formal assessment tools.
• Work with students to develop effective time management and organizational skills. Motivate students to practice self-regulation, help-seeking behaviors, and accountability.
• Document advising notes in relevant software platforms; maintain and update data for students in assigned caseload; contribute to overall maintenance of TRIO program data.
• Participate in the planning and delivery of events and programs that build community and promote academic success and well-being among TRIO scholars, included but not limited to summer bridge programs, financial literacy workshops, off-campus educational and cultural events, celebrations and commemorations, and new student onboarding.
• At the request of the director, contribute to the supervision of student employees, which may include some or all of: helping to create and post positions, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, and overseeing and evaluating work.
• Participate in outreach and promotion efforts to increase awareness of TRIO among its target population, the wider campus community, and beyond.
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed within the scope of related work duties and the priorities of the role and the office. At times, a flexible schedule may be required beyond specific business hours. This is a predominantly in person, on campus, direct student-facing role.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience providing direct academic, vocational, or social support in an advising, mentoring, coaching, or similar capacity, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and familiarity with the experiences of college students who are first-generation, come from low-income backgrounds, or have one or more disabilities.
• Proficiency in using current technologies such as word processing, databases, presentation tools, and spreadsheet software, specifically Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Employment experience providing student services in higher education
• Familiarity with principles of appreciative advising and active learning
• Familiarity with learning management systems, academic planning tools, assessments, FERPA guidelines, and student record systems.
• Experience managing institutional social media accounts
• Program or event planning experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Empathy and emotional capacity to engage directly with students whose needs may be significant and complex
• Ability to organize work and manage projects effectively
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Creative and innovative approaches to problem-solving
• Ability to work collaboratively, accountably, and independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to lead workshops and deliver presentations to groups
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, 10-month, grant-funded position within the APA bargaining union. The schedule for this position runs from August 1st-May 31, some evenings and weekends are required.

The salary range for this position is $43,888.00. Continuation of this position beyond May 31, 2030, is dependent on the continuation of the grant.

Employee Benefits:
Health Insurance: MCLA offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
Retirement: The MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.

Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Lucas Morrill
Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Telephone: [contact details available in the full listing]
[contact details available in the full listing]

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA [contact details available in the full listing]
Telephone: [contact details available in the full listing]; FAX: [contact details available in the full listing]; TDD [contact details available in the full listing]
[contact details available in the full listing]

Application Instructions:

Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter, online application and 3 professional references. Candidates should electronically submit an application materials by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.