Student Support Assistant Jobs in Nepean, ON (NOW HIRING)

Status: Appendix D/Temporary Assignment: September 2026 - January 2028

Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours/week

Home Campus: Fennell (hybrid work arrangements available)

Rate of Pay: Payband I (Start Rate: 40.39 per hour, plus 8% in lieu of vacation and benefits)

Vacancy Status: 1 vacancy available

Posting Date: August 25th, 2026

Closing Date: August 31st, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST 

We believe the rich diversity among our students and the communities we serve should be reflected within our workforce. As educators, we believe it is important to act and show leadership in advancing the principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community.

Reporting to the Manager, Student Success & Engagement, the Coordinator, Retention Initiatives & Student Support leads student retention initiatives, proactive outreach and advising interventions that promote student success, engagement and persistence. The incumbent provides academic advising, transition support, referrals and coordinated services for scholarship students, Better Jobs Ontario students, WSIB students, military-connected students, academically at-risk students and other identified student populations. The role also develops and evaluates retention initiatives and scholarship programs through data analysis and assessment, while serving as a key resource for students, faculty and college partners by coordinating supports, resolving inquiries and fostering student success across the College.

What you'll be doing:

Academic Advising, Student Support and Engagement

• Provides academic, program and transition support to targeted student populations, including scholarship students, Better Jobs Ontario students, WSIB students, military-connected students and academically at-risk students.
• Provides direct personal and academic advising support to students, grounded in an advising model that emphasizes developmental, intrusive and lifecycle theory and practice.
• Refers students to appropriate services when necessary, including tutoring, counselling, Accessible Learning Services, Financial Assistance, Student Life, Career Services and other college supports.
• Engages scholarship recipients to provide support and mentorship through events, award ceremonies, career fairs, Open Houses, one-on-one meetings, small group meetings and presentations.
• In partnership with other departments, including Student Life, MSA, LSC and Career Services, promotes events and activities that support student engagement, belonging and success.
• Provides guidance and referral support to scholarship students and other supported student groups to assist with academic success and persistence in their program.
• Communicates with coordinators and faculty, as appropriate, regarding student achievement, progression, academic performance and required thresholds.
•  Compiles statistical reports and produces data for analysis, which may be used for internal reporting, donor reports, program evaluation and student success planning.
• Communicates with Financial Assistance regarding student progression, scholarship requirements and related student support needs.
• Works with Foundation to develop scholarship recipient post-graduation surveys to assess student experience, identify opportunities for improvement and support donor communications.

Retention Initiatives and Targeted Student Support - Program Coordination

•  Oversees and coordinates current and future student retention initiatives, targeted supports and interventions for identified student populations, including scholarship students such as Canerector, Schulich and other scholarship recipients, Better Jobs Ontario students, WSIB students, military-connected students, and academically at-risk students.
• Coordinates initiatives such as:
  • Proactive advising model, including Orientation and information sessions, and academically at-risk student intervention.
  • Late Start Campaign.
  • Communication strategy focused on psychologically attuned messaging to support early engagement with high-risk students ahead of a new semester.
  • Completion Plan.
  • Compulsory Withdrawal student intervention.
• Oversees outreach campaigns with the goal of proactively connecting with students who may be at risk of leaving, not completing, or requiring additional support to improve their sense of belonging, connection and community.
• Identifies, develops and implements programs and approaches to reach under-served student populations, including those from equity-deserving groups and students requiring targeted or specialized support.

Formal Evaluation and Assessment Plan

•  Develops and implements an evaluation and assessment plan for retention initiatives, targeted student supports and scholarship programs, including ROI, student feedback, retention outcomes and implementation fidelity.
• Works with other college departments, including Student Recruitment, Foundation, Financial Assistance, academic departments, Institutional Research and other relevant partners, to support evaluation and assessment activities.
• Supports ongoing evaluation of student interventions using student feedback tools, student success data and other relevant measures.
• Tracks and reports on outcomes for supported student groups, including scholarship students, Better Jobs Ontario students, WSIB students, military-connected students and academically at-risk students.

Scholarship Student Support, Promotion and Selection Coordination

•  Works with the Registrar's Office in the promotion and selection of scholarship candidates, including Canerector, Schulich and other scholarship programs.
• Works with Foundation and Faculty to develop a matrix of scholarship requirements and deliverables for recipients.
• Works with Recruitment and Admissions to attend key events, such as Open House and other recruitment presentations.
• Coordinates selection committees for award recipients in partnership with Financial Assistance and other departments as necessary.
• In partnership with Public Affairs, Financial Assistance and Foundation, supports the coordination of public relations events involving award recipients.
• Works with Marketing and Financial Assistance to ensure dedicated scholarship webpages reflect current, accurate information.
• Liaises with college staff, faculty and students to coordinate activities and promote specific scholarship programs.
• When appropriate, collaborates on the development and delivery of presentations, both on and off campus, to potential students to support short- and long-term application targets.
• Supports review of program expenditures and coordinates program delivery in consultation with the Manager, Student Success & Engagement.

Other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to the role:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Student Affairs, Student Development, Counselling, Adult Education or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 3 years of experience advising, coaching, or supporting adult learners or post-secondary students.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion and problem-solving when advising students, consulting with faculty and staff, assessing student needs, and determining appropriate referrals, interventions or next steps.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate and student-centred communications, reports, presentations and documentation for a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment, build positive working relationships, and collaborate with students, faculty, staff and internal college partners.
• Strong organizational, time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple student cases, reporting requirements, projects, deadlines and competing priorities at the same time. Knowledge of, or experience with, project coordination or project management would be considered an asset.
• Solid understanding of student development, student success, retention and transition supports.
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively with students from diverse social, academic, economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent intercultural communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse learner population.
• Experience developing, implementing and using evaluation and assessment measures to inform program improvement.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to synthesize complex issues, identify trends and support evidence-informed decision-making.
• Ability to work independently, initiate action, set priorities and organize tasks to maintain workflow and meet project deadlines.
• Experience collaborating with internal departments, faculty, staff, students, donors and community partners.
• May require occasional evening and weekend availability.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Teams.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse students, employees, and communities.

What we offer:

•  Opportunity to gain experience and build relationships at a Hamilton/Niagara Top Employer.
• Access to professional development opportunities.
• Option to enroll in Defined Benefit pension plan (CAAT) with contributions matched by Mohawk College.
• Discounted rate for full-service athletic facility and instructor-led classes.
• Opportunities to engage in wellness events and activities.

To find out more about working at Mohawk College, including our Employee Value Proposition, please visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about-mohawk/careers-at-mohawk

We are committed to reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for everyone who learns and works at Mohawk College. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The College is committed to fostering inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

To learn more about Mohawk College's commitments, please visit the Mohawk College strategic plan webpage: https://www.strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca/