Counselor II, Engagement Coordinator - Center for Learning, Advising, and Student Success (CLASS)

The Center for Learning, Advising, and Student Success (CLASS) at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an on-site Counselor II, Engagement Coordinator. The target start date for this role is June 1st, 2026.

About the Opportunity

The individual in this position will work with undergraduate participants who are from first-generation and/or income-eligible backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities. The individual will recruit, assess, counsel, advise, and instruct participants for the purposes of increasing retention and graduation rates among students from challenged backgrounds. This individual will oversee the mentoring component of the SSS/TRIO Program which includes the selection, hiring, supervision and training of the peer mentors, as well as budget oversight, program assessment and evaluation. In addition, this individual will plan and coordinate the program's engagement opportunities for students.

Application Instructions

• A resume and cover letter are required. Please note that applications without these attachments will not be moved forward in the selection process.
• When completing an application, select "Additional Attachments" to attach a resume, CV, cover letter or other documents. Be sure to select the "Relevant" box next to the file name to include the attachment with your application for a specific position. If left unchecked on a required document, the hiring team will be unable to move your application forward for review.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Personal Advising, Academic Counseling and Coaching

• Establish and maintain frequent contacts with program participants in order to ensure they make the transition necessary to adjust academically, socially, and culturally to college.
• Develop Individual Success Plans for student participants that address goal setting, academic advising issues, counseling, cultural and social events, tutoring, graduate school preparation, financial aid, financial literacy, and major/career decision-making.
• Serve as an advocate for students with sensitive issues across campus and throughout the community.
• Maintain accurate contact summaries and progress reports on student participants in databases, University systems such as DegreeWorks and in student files.
• Plan and implement midterm interventions for students who are struggling academically.
• Work with student participants in group settings to assist in developing competency in decision-making, goal setting, communication, and self-management skills.
• Guide student participants in discovering personal goals, developing educational goals, and formulating strategies in order to reach those goals.
• Utilize academic counseling skills and interviewing techniques to engage in active-listening, assessment of needs, and identification of student issues. Make referrals to other University and/or community resources as needed.
• Interpret standardized test scores to assess course placements, major/career options, and needs for academic support, as well as evaluative testing, when appropriate.
• Implement and interpret assessments for study skills, time-management and financial management/literacy issues.
• Serve as a liaison with other campus offices and resources that include Student Financial Services, Career Services, Accessibility Services, the Carruth Center for Counseling and the Office of Student Success.
• Provide individual and group sessions on necessary skills for academic success such as study skills, time-management, and test-taking preparation.
• Counsel and provide financial aid information to student participants including deadlines, application processes, award packages, requirements, verification information, and scholarship opportunities.
• Participate in New Student Orientation and meet with new student participants to discuss program expectations, financial aid, housing, and other pertinent issues related to making a successful transition to campus.

Coordination of Peer Mentoring Component

• Recruit, select, hire and supervise peer mentors.
• Develop training materials and conduct training sessions.
• Conduct performance reviews/evaluations and provide necessary feedback.
• Maintain budget and provide oversight for all costs and expenditures associated with the peer mentoring program.
• Design program, including course, service activities and mentoring services.
• Oversee service-learning course and match peer mentors to course sections.
• Assess and evaluate all aspects of the peer mentoring program.
• Work with the Center for Service and Learning to work through course details and community service placement arrangements.

Academic Advising

• Provide intensive and structured academic advising to participants, primarily those students in undecided or pre-major programs.
• Assist participants in selecting courses that meet their academic degree requirements, as well as future goals, and advance them toward graduation.
• Develop four-year graduation plans.
• Help students determine major pathways that are based upon their interests, skills and abilities.
• Assist students, particularly those in competitive majors, with identifying parallel academic plans.
• Advise participants on adding/dropping courses, changing majors, and other related issues.
• Assist participants in understanding the relationship between academic degree progress and financial aid eligibility, including Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
• Interpret academic policies, requirements, and procedures.

Instruction and Programming

• Develop lesson plans and teach SSS/TRIO courses.
• Coordinate financial literacy education initiatives and services for participants.
• Based on student needs, plan, coordinate and conduct educational, social, and cultural enrichment activities for participants.

Other

• Create and distribute SSS newsletter.
• Develop and conduct assessment activities .
• Serve on campus committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, education, or related field is required.
• A minimum of one (1) year of related experience.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional work in higher education working with college students.
• Group/Public presentations and/or teaching.

• Experience with financial aid policies.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Experience working with students in a higher education setting.
• Experience working with students from at-risk and/or challenged backgrounds including those who are first-generation, low-income, students with disabilities, and students from underrepresented groups.
• Knowledge of issues, characteristics, and needs related to vulnerable student populations.
• Familiarity with financial aid including types and processes.
• Familiarity of topics related to financial wellness, particularly as it pertains to students from low-income backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct personal advising and educational counseling in areas of need by the population served.
• Knowledge of academic advising policies, procedures and practices.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, developing, implementing, and assessing programs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Strong decision making and problem-solving skills.

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid US Driver's License

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.