START: Fall Term 2026
REQUIRED TRAINING: Attendance at Academic Coaching training sessions on Tuesday through Thursday, September 15th – 17th, 2026 and Winter Retreat on Saturday, January 30th, 2027.

Position Summary: Academic Coach

Student Academic Support Services invites applicants for the position of an Academic Coach. We are looking for three graduate student coaches. Bilingual candidates and/or those with a STEM or education background strongly preferred. Reporting to the Asst. Director of Academic Coaching, this position will coach new, returning, and current PSU students in academic skills, motivation, self-management, and goal setting. Additionally, the academic coaches will help create and facilitate presentations, services and resources that support student retention, academic success, and individual student support.

Coach Responsibilities:

• Fosters persistence and completion by maintaining a caseload of students
• Mentors and provides guidance to PSU undergraduate and graduate students in learning strategies, motivation, self-management, self-efficacy, and goal setting by identifying and overcoming obstacles that may be impeding academic progress and success

Works with students to develop and learn strong time management and organizational skills; motivates students to practice self-regulation and take ownership of their academic success

• Helps students with identifying, developing, and implementing learning and study strategies
• Refers students to appropriate academic personnel and support resources with others to monitor and accelerate the academic progress of the students referred
• Presents on coaching topics and SASS services to groups of students, staff, and faculty
• Outreach to various entities on campus including but not limited to students, faculty, and resource centers on academic coaching and SASS resources.
• Actively participates in bi-weekly coaches’ meetings, trainings, and other professional development opportunities
• Communicates regularly and effectively with SASS staff
• Other duties as assigned

A successful applicant will have/be:

• A background in a STEM field, education, or social work (undergraduate coursework is acceptable) and/or bilingual.
• A good understanding of thinking and learning processes, and counseling/mentoring skills to assess these processes and teach new strategies on an individual basis
• Experience using a wide-variety of learning strategies and educational methods
• The patience and empathy to discern the student’s skill level and to build on the student’s individual strengths
• Ability to bridge theory and practice for diverse learners
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of groups and individuals
• Comfortable in remote and face-to-face student interactions
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, student success, and working with a broad community
• Experience in delivering engaging presentations and speaking in front of groups
• Commitment to serving a diverse population and advancing student success

Minimum Qualifications:

• Admitted to a Portland State University graduate program relevant to education, counseling, higher education, etc.; continuation contingent on successful completion (B or better) of coursework
• Desire to work with students, or for a career in student affairs, education, or counseling
• Willingness to self-reflect and engage in developmental and constructive feedback
• Must be available to work all hours in-person
• Presentation and public speaking skills required
• Attend and actively participate in training sessions (September 15–17, 2026, and Winter Retreat January 3, 2027).

This position is not eligible for tuition remission and cannot be held concurrently with a GA/GTA appointment.

To Apply:

Please send resume and cover letter by May 29th to:
Email: mycoach@pdx.edu

Please address the following in a cover letter and include resume:
Your perspective on the role of an Academic Coach, how this year-long position will help you meet your academic and/or professional goals, and any experience you have that prepares you for success as an academic coach.

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