UC Santa Barbara - Student Success & Program Coordinator
Job Description
Program Overview
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The UC Santa Barbara Connect Program, offered by the University of California, Santa Barbara in collaboration with KSE Global Education, provides a pathway for global high school graduates to enroll at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The program offers a structured, comprehensive college curriculum built specifically for international students and a pathway to four-year degree programs.
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Learn More
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UCSB Connect Program: https://ucsb-connect.ksedu.co
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KSE Global Education: https://ksedu.co/programs
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Position Summary
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The Student Success & Program Coordinator serves as the primary on-site point of contact for students enrolled in the Connect Pathway Program at UCSB. This individual will maintain regular office hours on campus and provide day-to-day guidance, support, and resource navigation for approximately 40-60 international students.
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The coordinator is responsible for ensuring students receive timely assistance with academic, administrative, and personal matters by answering general questions, connecting students with the appropriate UCSB offices and resources, and following up to ensure issues are resolved.
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This role requires a proactive, student-centered individual who is resourceful, organized, and committed to helping students succeed.
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This is a full-time, on-site position at UC Santa Barbara, and free housing will be provided by KSE Global Education.
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Because the program serves a Mandarin-speaking international student body, fluency in Mandarin is required in addition to English.
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The core of this role is close, day-to-day coordination with UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), which administers the Connect Program, and guiding students through the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) pathway toward UCSB. These two areas — PaCE coordination and the TAG transfer pathway — are the coordinator’s top priorities and make up the majority of the day-to-day work.
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Key Responsibilities
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Primary focus:
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- Serve as the primary liaison with UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), which administers the Connect Program — coordinating day to day on enrollment, academics, program logistics, deadlines, and student issues, and keeping students aligned with PaCE requirements and processes.
- Guide students through the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) pathway and the community-college-to-UC transfer process — helping with course selection, tracking transfer and eligibility requirements, monitoring progress, and ensuring students stay on track toward UCSB.
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Ongoing responsibilities:
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- Maintain daily office hours at the Connect Pathway Program office at UCSB.
- Serve as the first point of contact for all student questions and concerns.
- Assist students with general academic and administrative inquiries, including:
- Course registration processes, including navigating UCSB’s GOLD (Gaucho Online Data) system
- Adding, dropping, or withdrawing from classes
- Understanding university procedures and deadlines
- Academic policies and general program requirements
- Direct students to the appropriate UCSB departments and campus resources, including academic advising, Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), the Office of the Registrar, Student Affairs, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS), Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS), and other relevant offices.
- Research answers to student questions when information is not immediately available and follow up with students promptly.
- Provide guidance and referrals for non-academic matters, including campus resources, housing questions, transportation, health services, student organizations, and other aspects of student life.
- Monitor student concerns and identify students who may need additional support or intervention.
- Maintain regular communication with the Connect Pathway Program management team regarding student issues, trends, and recommendations.
- Help create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for all program participants.
- Assist with student orientations, workshops, and program events as needed.
- Maintain accurate records of student interactions and follow-up actions when appropriate.
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Scope & Boundaries
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To protect students and the program, the coordinator guides students and connects them to the right offices, but does not replace licensed or officially designated university staff. In particular:
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- Immigration and visa matters — including F-1 status, I-20s, and the visa impact of dropping below full-time enrollment or withdrawing — are referred to UCSB’s Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS). Only UCSB’s Designated School Officials may advise on immigration status; the coordinator routes these questions rather than answering them.
- Mental health concerns are referred to Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). The coordinator is not a counselor and follows UCSB’s established protocols for students in distress and for emergencies.
- Official academic decisions, approvals, and records changes are handled through UCSB academic advising and the Office of the Registrar.
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Qualifications
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- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Experience working with university students, particularly international students, is highly desirable.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to independently research university policies and procedures to assist students accurately.
- Familiarity with UCSB PaCE, continuing/extension education, or international pathway programs is a strong plus.
- Ability to be on-site at UCSB during scheduled office hours each weekday.
- Resourceful, proactive, and capable of handling multiple student requests simultaneously.
- Professional, approachable, and committed to providing outstanding student support.
- Fluency in both Mandarin and English is required (spoken and written).
- Willingness to live on-site in the housing provided for this role.
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Ideal Candidate
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The ideal candidate is a fluent Mandarin speaker and deeply understands the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) and the California community-college-to-UC transfer pathway, and ideally has worked at a California community college such as Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), guiding students through course selection along that pathway.
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They enjoy working directly with students and take initiative to solve problems. They are comfortable navigating university systems, connecting students with the right resources, and ensuring every student receives the support needed to succeed academically and personally throughout their time in the Connect Pathway Program.
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How to Apply
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Interested candidates should email their resume to: hr@ksedu.co
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KSE Global Education· UCSB Connect Program