Assistant Director Thrive Center/Success Coach

Position Title

Assistant Director Thrive Center/Success Coach

Employee Type

Regular

Office/Department

ALANA Services

Work Environment

Remote and hybrid positions are open to applicants based in states identified here: Work at Loyola | Loyola University Maryland.

College Center

Job Type

Full time

Benefits at Loyola

https://www.loyola.edu/department/people-culture/benefits/

Compensation Range

Final compensation offers are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to job-related experience, internal equity, and alignment with organizational budget.

$53,040.00 - $66,300.00

Anticipated Start Date

Thursday, October 15, 2026

If Temporary or Visiting, Estimated End Date

Position Duties

This role will work to empower and equip students with the knowledge and awareness to identify their
academic, personal, and career goals through guided success coaching and academic
advising/intervention support so that they can flourish. Using a strength-based advising model the
Assistant Director will work to increase retention, completion, engagement, satisfaction, and social
mobility among all students. In partnership with Student Development and Academic Affairs, this role
will uphold the Jesuit Catholic tradition of cura personalis. Specific focus on the successful retention of BIPOC students and supporting students through an intersectional lens.

Success Coaching

•  Support the holistic success of all students by providing year-round, proactive coaching and guidance throughout students’ undergraduate careers addressing self-care and agency, socio-emotional well-being, and career-related issues, including vocational discernment, internships, full-time employment, graduate school opportunities, and other post-baccalaureate positions.
• Proactively monitor student progress and performance in the university’s tracking system, analyze problem areas, forecast solutions, and conduct intervention strategies.
• Ensure incoming students work through the new student checklist, meeting regularly to ensure completion.
• Make appropriate referrals for academic and/or personal student issues. Initiate timely communication with campus stakeholders (faculty, administrative staff) and ensure a seamless transition with follow-up.
• Possess current-state knowledge of assigned students’ experiences through high-contact methods that mirror current students’ needs.
• Serve as a constant and immediate source of support for advisees.
• Prioritize availability and accessibility as a vital point of contact for students, parental/familial inquiries, and support (in compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines).

Student Advising and Caseload:

• In conjunction with faculty advisors, manage a caseload of students and assist them with navigating their academic experience with proactive academic planning, creative problem-solving, and connection to educational resources.
• Assist undergraduates with overall academic success strategies, exploration and discernment of majors and minors, and development of post-graduation plans that help prepare students for course registration.
• Conduct group advising sessions and workshops and/or co-sponsor events with faculty and other support offices.
• Track assigned students’ progress by running reports, analyzing student data, and communicating with students regarding registration, grades, and graduation.
• Advise undergraduates on academic opportunities and requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Provide early interventions by identifying and communicating with at-risk students identified by faculty and staff in each academic term.
• Within the assigned caseload, meet with academic probation students and reinstated suspension students to conduct a self-assessment and academic success plan, including leading the Loyola 101 class.
• Create and maintain accurate records by using University record systems to document student meetings, notes, and follow-ups.
• Advise undergraduate student organizations related to assigned caseload.
• Design, present, and evaluate academic enrichment sessions based on identity .
• Triage student issues and make referrals as appropriate.
• Student Outreach: Increase Thrive Center visibility and awareness to students and families. Regular maintenance and update of Thrive Center social media and student engagement platforms. Plan and execute outreach strategies and events in collaboration with other success coaches. This includes tabling at various times and campus locations and exploring partnerships with for student interfacing opportunities

Messina and Student Events:

• Collaborate with peers to plan logistics and execution of program responsibilities. Includes recruitment/training of student leaders, recruitment of first-year participants, planning the program schedule, catering/meals, transportation, budget, and other logistical support. Complete data assessment of programming and events (surveys, attendance, etc).
• Actively participate in summer orientation sessions and Fall Welcome Weekend.
• Serve as a Messina Mentor (the University’s universal living/learning program for all first-year students) for two to three Messina sections, working collaboratively with a faculty pairing and a student leader to plan and implement enrichment sessions for first-year students.
• Facilitate 10-12 enrichment sessions in the fall (totaling 15-25 hours of student interaction) and 8-10 enrichment sessions in the spring (totaling 12-20 hours of student interaction) for each seminar class. Enrichment sessions should include at least one Baltimore excursion and Messina-wide event each semester.
• Complete paperwork for Messina working groups, including but not limited to submitting enrichment session plans and audits, early intervention check-in forms, logistical planning forms, and student leadership nominations.
• Advocate for mitigating barriers to student success, retention, and graduation by working with campus partners, including Student Administrative Services, Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, and others, to streamline all student-related processes.
• Attend high-profile University events, including annual student traditions.
• May support affinity spaces and programming to highlight identity and intercultural exploration.

Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for the role.

5%

• Master's degree and at least one year of relevant experience including advising, holistic coaching, or student development experience is required. Strong communication skills (verbal and written). Passion for working with highly talented, socially and culturally diverse student populations, including first-generation and low-income students. Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and to foster sensitivity to diversity and an inclusive campus and community culture. Knowledge of student development theory and intersectional identities. Ability to use appropriate judgment when dealing with sensitive issues. Extensive knowledge and experience in managing holistic advising, assessment, and academic and student affairs collaborations. Oral, public speaking, writing, and listening skills. Bilingual speakers encouraged to apply. Excellent ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty members, and staff at all levels. Proven track record of establishing strategic relationships to strengthen program and service delivery. Ability to support the University’s retention and degree completion goals across all student populations and the goals and values of a Catholic, Jesuit education.

Final compensation offers are determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, job-related experience, internal equity, and alignment with organizational budget.

Successful candidates for any staff, faculty, or administrative position at Loyola University Maryland will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Note: Experience and/or education may be substituted for requirements.

Employment Eligibility

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States and complete employment eligibility verification by the first day of employment at Loyola University Maryland, as required by law (e.g., Form I-9). Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the job description or job advertisement, Loyola University Maryland does not sponsor employment visas for this position.

University Description

Loyola University Maryland, located in the vibrant city of Baltimore, is a prestigious, selective, comprehensive university with a strong residential liberal-arts-based undergraduate program and professional graduate programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. Founded in 1852, Loyola is a Catholic University and one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States and the first to bear the name of Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. Deeply committed to the Ignatian principles upon which it was founded, Loyola focuses on the care and education of the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — and its mission centers on preparing its students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world.  

The Wall Street Journal ranked Loyola No. 19 overall in the nation in its 2026 “Best Colleges” list. Loyola was also ranked No. 51 for impact on graduate salaries and No. 81 in the nation for student experience. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Loyola among the top 10 universities in the North Region for the past decade. Princeton Review named it one of the nation’s top institutions for undergraduate higher education and one of the best Mid-Atlantic colleges for 2026. Loyola is one of 75 colleges and universities included on a list of the “new” dream schools in Jeffrey Selingo’s book, Dream School, Finding the College That’s Right for You. The list of “new” dream schools highlights institutions with strong outcomes, accessible admissions, and dynamic student experiences. Loyola was also listed among the “best value” private colleges in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. 

Loyola University Maryland is proud to be recognized among the nation’s top institutions. From national rankings to regional accolades, our commitment to academic excellence, student success, and Jesuit values continues to earn praise from respected organizations and publications.

Learn more about our prestigious rankings and notable accolades and university profile by clicking on the hyperlinks.

Diversity Statement