Student Support Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000

Position Summary

University Life is a central division that supports all Columbia students by fostering an inclusive, connected University community across Columbia's 17 schools and campuses. We serve as a hub for student engagement, cross-school collaboration, and coordinated University-wide initiatives that strengthen the student experience. Our work is grounded in building trusted relationships across the institution so that students can access the resources, opportunities, and support systems they need to succeed.

We advance student well-being, belonging, and personal development through programs, policies, and partnerships that encourage connection, leadership, and dialogue across diverse experiences and perspectives. Guided by our core values of connection, integrity, respect, service, and continuous learning, we are committed to creating environments where students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered throughout their academic journey.

Through close collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life champions a Columbia defined by inclusion, community citizenship, and holistic support-one where every student can participate fully in campus life and contribute meaningfully to our shared University community.

The Center for Student Success & Intervention (CSSI) delivers a comprehensive, 360 model integrating Student Conduct, Student Support Management, and Operations/Training. CSSI partners with all Columbia schools to triage referrals, provide clear process guidance, and remove barriers to student persistence through basic-needs support and developmentally focused interventions. Grounded in evidence-based practice and its core values of student success, integrity, accountability, and community engagement, CSSI upholds community standards while advancing equitable student outcomes.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Student Support, the Student Support Manager provides high-complexity, non-clinical support by helping students identify their needs and connect to appropriate resources. The incumbent partners closely with the Center's team, Columbia University schools, and campus partners to support a holistic review of student behavior and well-being in complex, high-risk and sensitive situations that require significant independent judgment and discretion.

In partnership with Columbia's 18 schools, the Student Support Manager serves as a point of contact for students and other members of the University community to support students in distress, including students experiencing significant personal, academic or behavioral challenges that may require sustained engagement.

The incumbent will be part of the Student Support team within CSSI, which collaborates with Columbia's schools and University partners to support students across a wide variety of concerns, including helping students understand and navigate on- and off-campus resources. The team also supports students who are navigating the student conduct process (when appropriate and requested) and administers the Return to Columbia program for students who have been separated from the University, including managing a caseload of Return to Columbia program cases, which require high level coordination, monitoring and engagement over a semester or longer.

The Student Support team also provides administrative oversight to the campus food pantry and develops and facilitates cohesive services, information, and programs for students seeking support with basic needs, with an intentional focus on upstream, preventative programming designed to reduce student distress, address emerging needs early, and mitigate escalation into more acute or crisis-driven interventions. This includes the design, planning, and facilitation of recurring educational workshops and structured Office Hours that promote early help-seeking, resource literacy, and proactive problem-solving, while also serving as an entry point for ongoing student support when needed.

Additionally, the incumbent plays a leadership role in cross-University initiatives such as the Student Support Innovation Lab, convening campus partners, contributing to the development of new or enhanced student support resources, and advancing institutional strategies to improve student well-being, retention, and success.

Responsibilities

Student Support:

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  Provides complex and non-clinical student support to students, including meeting in-person or virtually for Student Support referrals, conducting assessments of well-being, risk factors and support needs, and other pertinent factors to develop individualized, student-centered care plans that often require sustained and longitudinal engagement.

  
  
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  Exercise independent judgement and discretion when assessing complex and sensitive student situations and determining appropriate support pathways.

  
  
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  Work closely with University resources and support networks to coordinate and implement multi-step support plans across multiple schools and resources.

  
  
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  Monitor student progress over time and maintain follow-up with students to reassess needs, troubleshoot barriers, and adjust support plans in response to change in circumstances.

  
  
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  Conduct intake interviews as assigned, in order to synthesize complex concerns, identify emerging needs and discuss possible pathways forward with students, and as appropriate, with faculty and staff partners.

  
  
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  Facilitate interim and supportive accommodations in partnership with University stakeholders, balancing student needs, institutional policy and risk considerations when appropriate.

  
  
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  Coordinate and collaborate with campus partners and community resources to connect students to both confidential and non-confidential supports, ensuring continuity of care.

  
  
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  Assess, create, and implement successful methods of support to students who are managing complex situations impacting their well-being and/or the well-being of others.

  
  
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  Serve as a liaison to an assigned group of schools and campus partner offices, providing consultation, guidance and support to schools navigating Student of Concern and other ongoing matters.

  
  
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  Participate in the Student Support team's review of cases, ongoing Students of Concern meetings, and other coordinated Cross-functional efforts as assigned.

  
  

Support for Students Navigating Conduct and Separation:

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  Provide guidance to students navigating University processes, including coordination with CSSI's Student Conduct team and other relevant offices when appropriate.

  
  
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  Participate in joint student meetings with Student Conduct, as determined by CSSI Leadership, including but not limited to student support concerns or complainants/respondents in distress, with heightened coordination needs.

  
  
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  Serve as a support person in the Student Conduct process when requested by the student.

  
  
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  Administer the Return to Columbia Program cases by supporting students who have been separated from the University including managing a caseload that requires sustained engagement, progress monitoring and coordination and helping them understand resources, expectations, and pathways for re-enrollment where applicable.

  
  

Mediation and Early Conflict Support:

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  Partner with Student Conduct to co-facilitate Mediation as an alternative resolution option to the Dean's Discipline process when deemed appropriate upon review by CSSI leadership.

  
  
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  Support the deployment of early intervention services for conflict resolution, including student-facing support and coordination with partners as needed.

  
  

Basic Needs and Cross-University Initiatives:

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  Collaborate with the food pantry and University partners to support students with basic needs concerns and strengthen coordinated institution-wide services and communications.

  
  
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  Contribute to the Student Support Innovation Lab (SSIL), a cross-University initiative focused on advancing upstream coordinated efforts related to basic needs; support or lead subgroup work as assigned.

  
  
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  Provide programmatic support to the Food Pantry, and contribute to broader CSSI initiatives that advance student well-being. Programming, Outreach, and Training.

  
  

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  Plan and facilitate upstream, preventative, student-facing programming informed by trends, data, and best practices throughout the academic year, including monthly Office Hours events and workshops related to basic needs and student support.

  
  
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  Design, develop and facilitate data-informed virtual resources, training, and outreach to help students, faculty, and staff identify concerns and make appropriate referrals to CSSI and other resources.

  
  

Documentation, Data, and Professional Standards:

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  Documents student support activity, referrals, interim measures, and accommodations in the Maxient database in a timely and accurate manner.

  
  
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  Maintain privacy and appropriate information-sharing practices in accordance with FERPA and University policy.

  
  
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  Stays current on trends emerging trends, best practices and regulatory considerations related to student support, basic needs, behavioral intervention, and student mental health in higher education.

  
  
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  Participate in ongoing Students of Concern meetings.

  
  

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree and 4-6 years of related experience in the areas of student affairs, case management, social work, behavioral intervention or counseling. Demonstrated knowledge of the complexities surrounding student support and student mental health in a college/university setting. Excellent analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in sensitive situations.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree preferred. Experience in student affairs, social work, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail. Experience collaborating across complex organizations and building effective partnerships to support student success and well-being.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.