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Unit: Office of Strategic Enrollment Management

Department: Military Student Services

Department Summary: The Veteran Success Coach serves as the primary single point of contact and "face" of Military Student Services (MSS) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success. Reporting to the CEVSS Project Coordinator, this full-time, grant-funded position provides proactive, high-touch, "wrap-around" coaching and holistic support to military-connected and veteran students. The Success Coach is responsible for guiding veterans through academic transitions, degree navigation, financial literacy, personal obstacle resolution, and career preparation. The coach actively identifies and reaches out to under-supported veterans (including those not using federal GI Bill benefits) to foster belonging, improve persistence, and drive degree completion. This is a 100% FTE, grant-funded annual appointment; this position is entirely in-person.

Duties & Responsibilities:

(50%): Advising

• Track Veteran students on campus from first contact to post graduation outcomes.
• Advise prospective military-connected students on navigating the application process.
• Verify eligibility for application fee waivers.
• Provide direct, one-on-one academic, personal, and career coaching to veteran students.
• Conduct systematic, proactive outreach to under-identified and at-risk veteran students—including those not using GI Bill benefits—to foster a sense of belonging and improve persistence.
• Assist students with goal setting, time management, academic planning, study strategies, and navigating degree requirements.
• Serve as a primary resource for military-affiliated students, providing guidance on certification. processes, reporting requirements, and benefit utilization. 
• Conduct breakout sessions during orientation and attend campus events promoting the office.

(%30): Collaboration

• Act as a direct liaison between veterans and university partner offices, including Financial Aid, University Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO), and Admissions.
• Eliminate administrative silos by executing "warm handoffs" that ensure veterans follow through on referrals and complete necessary processes.
• Advocate on behalf of student veterans regarding military training transfer credit evaluations, classroom accommodations, and navigating university policies.
• Assist with collaborative learning presentations

(15%) Data collection and analysis

• Maintain accurate, confidential student interaction logs and record student utilization data.
• Track cohort metrics—including student check-ins, retention rates, persistence, and graduation outcomes—to monitor progress against grant goals.
• Leverage data-driven insights and student feedback to make real-time adjustments and continuously improve service delivery.

(5%) School Certifying Official

• Certify student enrollment for military educational benefits, including verifying enrollment, monitoring academic progress and attendance, auditing records, and ensuring accurate reporting aligned with regulatory requirements. 

Other Position Details:

• This is a restricted, grant-funded position with funding currently available for three-years. Continued employment is dependent upon availability of funding.
• VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU is proud to be a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. In addition, VCU offers enhanced leave benefits to veterans.
• Some travel for conferences and local partnerships is required – Trips with total mileage beyond 25 miles will be reimbursed, appropriate hotel and per diem expenses will also be provided.
• This is a 100% in-person position at the Monroe Park Campus.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• Background in advising students as they prepare for school admissions; knowledge of requirements/processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to advocate on the student’s behalf with both faculty staff and parents.
• Experience working with the military-affiliated population and knowledge of resources available to the population.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• Computer skills, including Microsoft office, student information systems, analytics platforms, and Google Suite.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or related field is required.
• Understanding of benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Four (4) years of experience providing direct service to Veterans with at least one (1) year of experience navigating VA benefits and resources.
• Experience with Banner or other student information systems.
• Experience inducing change through data-driven insights.
• Previous experience as an SCO filing VA education benefits.

Salary Range: Up to $45,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 35211N - Student Advisor SS 1

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Bryan Sandford
Contact Email: sandfordb@vcu.edu

Posting Opens: 11/9/2026

Posting Closes: 11/16/2026 at 11:55PM