First Year Student Success Navigator - Office of Academic Programs

   

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

Department Background

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is engaged in pioneering pursuit of inclusive, purpose-driven science. As Cornell University’s second largest college, with discovery for impact at its core, we work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through equitable, world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. The Office of Student Services aims to assist undergraduate students in their academic and personal success by building an inclusive community of student support made up of faculty, staff, peers, alumni and extensive resources from across the college and university.

Position Summary

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

The Student Success Navigator is essential in engaging with prospective and current students and their families, as well as supporting, developing, and maintaining Pathway Partnerships. They will collaborate with strategic high schools, community-based organizations, and community colleges. The primary objective of these partnerships is to establish mutually beneficial relationships that enhance college readiness, encourage applications to Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and foster an inclusive campus environment for student success.

The Navigator cultivates relationships with campus departments, leads programs, and addresses participant concerns through collaboration. They enhance students' access to college, create engagement initiatives, and build a peer mentoring program. Additionally, they collaborate with the CALS Inclusive Academic Advising and Admissions teams to meet position goals and provide student transition success initiatives, including and not limited to, PSSP and SUNY Transformation Grant programming.

In pathway development, the Student Success Navigator joins the Director in program planning and evaluation, identifies partnership opportunities, and supports admissions goals focused on under-resourced students. They collaborate with college and university admissions offices, use data for partner identification, and ensure quality information flow. The role also involves engaging with the local community, participating in partnerships, coordinating campus initiatives, tracking projects, and implementing communication plans.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination

• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals at various levels of the environment including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors

• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Must possess the ability to work independently while supporting the efforts of a team.

• Ability to take initiative and be a proactive team member by recognizing or anticipating needs and addressing them.

• Proven ability to excel in dynamic and fast-paced environments, effectively handling rapidly changing or new situations with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Demonstrated experience in public speaking and delivering presentations to large, diverse groups.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate multiple projects, manage events and special assignments.

• Knowledge of spreadsheet and data management systems.

• High level of discretion and sound judgment with confidential information.

• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. Ability and willingness to travel and a valid driver's license are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences or education.

• Prior experience counseling/advising undergraduates.

• Familiarity with evolving trends in higher education and admissions.

• Experience working with transfer students and evaluating/reviewing transfer credit.

• Experience working with community-based organizations and pathway programs.

• Experience working with high school and undergraduate students.

• Experience working with diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing programs.

• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and well-being.

• Demonstrated experience in advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting historically marginalized populations, including minoritized students, first-generation students, international students, veterans, and students with disabilities.

Salary range for this position: $65,447 - $66,358

How to Apply:  

You must submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  ​Applications will not be considered without both submitted documents.

 

When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume/CV and cover letter). You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday.

   

University Job Title:

Student Svc Assoc I

Job Family:

Student Services

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$62,035.00 - $67,938.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Joan Olson

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEEO Statement:

Cornell University's history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified disabled individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have rights in the application process and in employment under federal law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2025-04-04