Coordinator for First Generation Student Programs

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Coordinator for First Generation Student Programs.

Position Details

Location
Hattiesburg

118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States

Division
The Center for Student Success

Position Type
Staff

Employment Status
Full Time

Grant Funded
No

Salary Range
41,000.00 - 41,000.00

Pay Grade

E07

Posting Close Date
October 17, 2025

Special Instructions to ApplicantsApplicants must be currently authorized to work in theUnited States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
Job Summary
The Coordinator for First-Generation Student Programs assists in the development and execution of student-success based initiatives in The Center for Student Success (CSS). As a member of the CSS team, the coordinator plays an integral role in promoting student engagement, retention, and graduation. Through a range of programs and collaboration with stakeholders across the university, they strive to empower students to become more engaged on their collegiate journey and to make informed decisions as they progress through their academic career. The coordinator engages with varied student populations who identify as first generation students that include but are not limited to Pell-eligible students, freshmen, transfer students, non-traditional students, and neurodiverse students. The coordinator approaches students holistically to provide a results-driven student-centered experience, working with and being sensitive to the educational needs of all learners and supporting the University's commitment to thrive as a model for student success.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Collaborates with the director of the Center for Student Success and other campus stakeholders to develop and support program goals, implementation, and assessment of results.
2. Manages a set group of student success programs, such as first-generation student initiatives, initiatives associated with USM's Quality Enhancement Plan, and/or programming associated with scholarships/grants.
3. Organizes key logistical components for their assigned programs, including developing and executing programming, communications, promotional strategies, and recruiting, training, and supporting campus partners.
4. Collaborates with campus partners, including faculty and staff leaders to support multi-department sponsored events like the National First-Generation Celebration, as well as serving as advisor to student organizations focused on promoting student success, such as Eagle F1rst.
5. Serves as a student outreach liaison for scholarship recipients and program administrators and engages and communicates effectively with internal and external partners, such as grant agencies.
6. Supports undergraduate outreach initiatives through multimodal communication methods (e.g., targeted emails, texts, phone calls, presentations, tabling, etc.), including regular meetings with students to discuss holistic problem-solving approaches, and referrals to campus resources as appropriate.
7. Develops and executes effective assessment practices for programs, including data maintenance.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, counseling, communications, psychology, sociology, or a related field; and one (1) year of customer service or project coordination in a professional or educational setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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 all student populations.
• 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 QualificationsMaster's degree from an accredited college or university in education, counseling, communications, psychology, sociology, 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 SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one ofthe nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs suchas computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.