Job Information
University of Southern Mississippi Student Success Project Assistant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Student Success Project Assistant
The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Student Success Project Assistant.
Position Details
Location Hattiesburg
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States
Division The Center for Student Success
Position Type Staff
Employment Status Part Time
Grant Funded No
Salary Range 15.82 - 21.40
Pay Grade
Generic Grade
Posting Close Date Open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, upload the following two documents to the USM job application portal. Both your cover letter and resume will be used to evaluate your overall qualifications for the job.
Cover letter that addresses how your qualifications and experience match the knowledge skills, and abilities that are specifically required for this job and listed in this job announcement.
Current resume
Applications receiving first consideration must be submitted by July 24, 2024, however review will continue until the position is filled. For questions about this position, please contact Ashley.Burnside@usm.edu.
Job Summary
The Student Success Project Assistant assists with the development and execution of student-success based initiatives in The Center for Student Success (CSS)on a temporary basis for six months.As a member of the CSS team, the project assistant plays a role in promoting student engagement, retention, and graduation. The project assistant engages with varied student populations that include, but are not limited to first-generation students, Pell-eligible students, freshmen, transfer students, non-traditional students, and neurodiverse students. The project assistant approaches students holistically to provide a results-driven student-centered experience, working with and being sensitive to the educational needs of diverse learners and supporting the University’s commitment to thrive as a model for student success.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Collaborates with the director of the Center for Student Success and other campus stakeholders to support program goals, implementation, and assessment of results.
Helps manage a set group of student success programs, such as first-generation student initiatives, freshman living learning communities, success coaching, and/or programming associated with scholarships/grants.
Organizes logistical components for assigned programs, including developing and executing programming, communications, promotional strategies, and recruiting, training, and supporting campus partners.
Collaborates with campus partners to support multi-department sponsored events like the National First-Generation Celebration.
Supports undergraduate outreach initiatives through multimodal communication methods (e.g., targeted emails, texts, phone calls, presentations, tabling, etc.), including occasional meetings with students to discuss holistic problem-solving approaches, and referrals to campus resources as appropriate.
Tracks and reports project and/or program progress.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least one year of customer service or project coordination in a professional or educational setting or combination of equivalent experience. Excellent communication skills
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Excellent skills in writing and oral communication, including effectively presenting information to various audiences, and knowledgeably responding to inquiries.
Ability to work with, and be sensitive to, the educational needs of a diverse student population.
Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups.
Ability to be proactive, think critically, and problem-solve.
Ability to effectively multi-task, plan and manage one’s own time, and demonstrate strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to conduct all work with professionalism and ethics, including the ability to process and handle sensitive information with discretion.
Aptitude for learning and staying current with policies, procedures, and research-based best practices in higher education.
Ability to collect and analyze data to assess programs and make data-informed recommendations about program adjustments.
Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, and an ability to review, understand, and respond to data in a variety of formats.
Ability to work occasional evening or weekend event as required to execute programming.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university. A degree or significant previous coursework completed in subjects such as counseling, education, sociology, psychology, communications, or a related field. Experience in work that required critical-thinking, problem-solving, and initiative-taking. Experience working with students, particularly within higher education.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.
Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.
We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.
As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.