Student Success Associate

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.
They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.
Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Student Success Associate plays an important role within the Student Success Team, supporting learners’ academic growth and overall success at ALU. This role oversees the Learning Efficacy Advancement Program (LEAP) and leads targeted interventions for at-risk students through 1:1 coaching, online interactions, and small group workshops in close collaboration with the faculty. This role builds and sustains peer support and mentorship capacity by recruiting, training, and managing student mentors and interns, ensuring effective performance and development. In addition, the position requires a high level of empathy and strong interpersonal skills, as it involves working closely with students navigating academic challenges. The Associate also contributes to initiatives that strengthen students’ English communication skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. This position is based in Kigali, Rwanda.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, deliver, and enhance student success initiatives, including the Learning Efficacy Advancement Program (LEAP), mentorship programs, and targeted academic interventions in alignment with ALU’s learning model.
• Monitor and analyze student data and feedback to identify trends, assess student needs, and share actionable insights with faculty and relevant stakeholders to inform timely interventions.
• Develop and manage LEAP systems and processes to identify students requiring additional support, track progress, and coordinate referrals to specialized or other student support  services.
• Build and sustain peer mentorship capacity by recruiting, training, and supervising student mentors and interns, ensuring effective performance, growth, and alignment with ALU’s student success goals.
• Provide individualized academic and learning support, including 1:1 coaching, small-group workshops, and personalized learning plans tailored to student needs.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records, including, progress notes, and recommendations to guide continued support
• Collaborate closely across teams, including Faculty, Registrar, and Student Life, to coordinate academic and wellness support and ensure a holistic approach to student development.
• Contribute to English communication enhancement initiatives, supporting students in developing strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for academic and professional success.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards.

REQUIREMENTS

The basics

• A Bachelor’s degree (minimum) preferably in fields related to education and learning support or English and communication.
• Experience working with students, preferably in an academic setting.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and research skills.
• Strong organizational abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines effectively.
• Proficiency in using digital tools for communication and academic support (e.g., Google Workspace, LMS platforms).
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity with confidence, adopting an experimental and iterative approach to address student support needs creatively.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• A student-centered, solution-oriented mindset with a passion for continuous improvement in educational support.

What gets us excited

• Experience in UX design or learning experience design
• Tech savviness: ability to quickly learn to use new technologies, software and tools
• Experience working at a higher education institution in Africa
• Experience working in a startup environment