Student Success Coordinator: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK @ University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking an energetic, creative, and highly organized Student Success Coordinator to join one of the fastest-growing and most innovative colleges on campus. As CECS continues to redefine the future of higher education through emerging technologies, interdisciplinary learning, and career-connected academic programs, we are looking for a motivated professional who is passionate about helping students discover opportunities, build connections, and achieve success.

The Student Success Coordinator will play an important role in shaping the student experience at CECS, supporting students throughout their academic journey, from initial recruitment and enrollment through engagement, academic progression, and graduation. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of a dynamic college by supporting academic advising operations, coordinating meaningful student engagement experiences, and helping bring innovative programs and events to life.

Reporting directly to the Director of Student Engagement and Success (DSES), with a dotted-line relationship to the Director of Advising, the Student Success Coordinator will work collaboratively across advising, student engagement, recruitment, enrollment, outreach, and events. The position provides essential academic and operational support while advancing the advising and student success and engagement goals of CECS.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, bring creativity and initiative to their work, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to student success. This position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support college events and student programming.

Student Engagement, Recruitment, and Outreach

• Implement creative strategies under the direction of the Director of Student Engagement and Success to strengthen recruitment, enrollment, student participation, and a sense of belonging within CECS.
• Guide prospective students and families through the recruitment and enrollment process with program information, responsive communication, and consistent follow-up.
• Represent CECS at college fairs, school visits, and community activities, building relationships with schools, organizations, and educational partners.

Events and Student Programming

• Plan and execute recruitment events, orientations, RISE programming, graduation activities, career fairs, and student recognition programs.
• Manage event logistics, including scheduling, reservations, vendors, purchasing, registration, materials, on-site operations, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to create welcoming, inclusive experiences and maintain a coordinated college events calendar.

Advising and Academic Operations Support

• Serve as the primary degree audit (DARS) encoder, processing approved exceptions, substitutions, waivers, and curricular actions.
• Coordinate academic petitions from submission through review, approval, and communication of outcomes.
• Respond to routine advising inquiries, communicate academic requirements and deadlines, refer complex matters, and coordinate advising appointments and coverage.
• Partner with advising leadership to improve processes supporting student progression and timely degree completion.

Administrative and Operational Support

• Provide administrative support to the Director of Advising and Director of Student Engagement and Success.
• Coordinate hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, time reporting, and professional development for student ambassadors and assistants.
• Support student staff meetings and student organization activities.
• Manage promotional inventory, supplies, and production and distribution of marketing and communication materials.
• Maintain accurate records and tracking systems across recruitment, events, and advising; compile participation and outcome data to support assessment and improvement while protecting student confidentiality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; or a combination of four or more years of relevant administrative, student services, event coordination, or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing administrative or operational support in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage professionally with students, families, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records, databases, and documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent service and supporting student success.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required for student programming, recruitment activities, and college events.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, academic advising support, student services, student engagement, recruitment, admissions, enrollment, or event coordination.
• Experience with degree audit systems, student information systems, or academic records processing.
• Familiarity with DARS/u.achieve, Banner, or comparable university systems.
• Experience coordinating academic petitions, advising operations, or student-facing administrative processes.
• Experience planning and executing student programs, recruitment events, or large-scale events.
• Experience coordinating or supervising student employees, ambassadors, or student organizations.
• Knowledge of FERPA and university academic policies and procedures.
• Experience with data tracking, reporting, assessment, or process improvement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate

• A passion for student success: A genuine commitment to helping students navigate their academic journey, build connections, and achieve their educational goals.
• Creativity and initiative: The ability to bring fresh ideas, identify opportunities, and contribute to innovative student experiences and programs.
• Exceptional organization: Strong attention to detail and the ability to coordinate multiple projects, events, deadlines, and operational responsibilities.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Comfort working in a rapidly growing college where priorities, programs, and opportunities continue to evolve.
• Strong relationship-building skills: The ability to engage effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, and campus and community partners.
• A collaborative mindset: A willingness to work across functional areas, support colleagues, and contribute to shared goals.
• A service-oriented approach: A commitment to providing timely, accurate, welcoming, and professional assistance to students and stakeholders.
• Problem-solving and sound judgment: The ability to take initiative, identify solutions, and maintain accuracy and confidentiality in complex administrative processes.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN, UTK Campus
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR05
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume
• Cover Letter