Senior Director of Student Success and Retention

Emerson College

The Senior Director will be responsible for leading and supporting the retention of undergraduate and graduate students at Emerson College and for implementing innovative practices and strategies around retention and student success.

The Senior Director will provide strategic direction in order to create a seamless structure to support retention and persistence practices through a formal written retention plan and in helping to support campus-wide retention efforts.
The Senior Director provides leadership and direct supervision to the Director of Access, Belonging and Student Success, the Associate Director of Student Success, the Assistant Director of Student Success for Leaves, Returns and Transfer Student Support, the Assistant Director of Student Success (Generalist), and an Administrative Assistant to guide the holistic approach to support services for students at risk of not completing their degree to increase retention, access, belonging and satisfaction across degree programs at Emerson.
The Senior Director serves on the Enrollment Management Leadership team.
The Senior Director will closely collaborate across all departments and divisions, as well as partner institutions, to support the college's retention and persistence goals for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in on-campus, degree seeking programs, as well as current and future undergraduate partnership programs with other colleges.
The Senior Director will work in close partnership with the Student Financial Services leadership team to conduct research and implement programming and financial support structures for specific student populations, including but not limited to low income students, first generation students, student veterans, online students and BIPOC and students of color.
The Senior Director will work in close partnership with the Director of Student Care & Support to provide resources and case management, when needed, for students with complex needs that impact retention. This includes holding a position as Co-Chair of the college's behavior intervention team, CAST, as well as collaborating on campus-wide education initiatives for students, faculty, and staff about supporting students with complex needs and students in crisis.
The Senior Director, while providing strategic leadership, is also expected to actively engage with students through 1:1 support meetings and programming development geared toward students and families at varying levels of experience, and institution-wide initiatives that impact student retention.
This position will physically be housed in the Offices of Student Success and Support, and will report to the Assistant Vice President for Student Success.

Essential Responsibilities

Work in partnership with all areas of the college to reach and maintain the college's retention and persistence goals through a fully supportive student experience. Evaluating processes and procedures that impact retention and persistence. Providing targeted outreach and support to students who need to take time away from the college and who are planning to return from a leave of absence. Collaborating on outreach campaigns and engagement initiatives for specific student populations managing academic concerns case management. Coordinating the Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals process
Responsible for supporting financial education initiatives, student veteran support service events and initiatives, and educational materials for students, families, faculty, and staff that support the college's retention efforts.
Develop personal and collaborative relationships with students by maintaining regular contact with the use of multiple communication platforms to provide coaching around academic programs and support to keep students connected with campus resources.
Collaborate with students to identify barriers, explore solutions, and leverage resources by encouraging students to take an active role in their learning.
Partner with on-campus departments (including, but not limited to: UG and G Admission, Student Success, Intercultural Student Affairs, Career Development Center, Student Care and Support, Housing and Residential Education, WARC, Academic Advising, Athletics, Internationalization and Global Engagement, Health, Wellness and Counseling, Social Justice Center, Alumni Relations, and ArtsEmerson), to ensure that students receive support related to financial aid, academic advising, student services, and other campus resources.
Help students to demystify college/university policies and procedures.
Encourage students to achieve self-awareness in order for them to gain a greater understanding of their personal strengths, values, and interests.
Leverage data analytics to proactively support students who may be displaying at-risk factors.
Participate in prospective student recruitment events, pipeline programs, new student orientation sessions, staff meetings, and student community engagement events.
Compile data from a wide variety of sources for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with organization policies and procedures, and/or monitoring program components.
Prepare a wide variety of often complex materials (including plans, reports, analyses, recommendations, and procedures) for the purpose of documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.
Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure efficient and effective functioning of the Student Success and Enrollment Management leadership teams.

Skills and Experience:

Current knowledge of evidence-based best practices related to retention and student success
Ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data for the purposes of implementing innovative practices and strategies around retention and student success.
Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, and creative problem-solving skills
Excellent interpersonal skills in interacting with students, staff, faculty, families, alumni and external parties.
Passion for working with college students and the ability to work skillfully and sensitively with students who may be experiencing challenges or seeking additional support.
Demonstrated commitment to a culturally and socio-economically diverse learning environment.
Given Emerson's commitment to fostering an intellectually enriching and inclusive educational environment, our expectation is that the successful candidate will demonstrate competence and sensitivity in leading, managing, and advising professional staff and students who are broadly diverse with regard to various aspects of identity, such as race, ethnicity, ability status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nationality, and religion.
Strong written and oral communication skills that include comfort with public speaking and an ability to discuss difficult topics with students in one-on-one settings. Must be able to generate enthusiasm among students and colleagues for programs and initiatives.
Understanding the importance of working collaboratively across areas to create conditions for student success, the successful candidate must have the ability to work successfully with an array of partners and stakeholders.
Ability to handle stressful situations in a courteous and professional manner.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and successfully prioritize tasks.
Understanding of the importance of documentation, data collection, and data analysis in working with student populations.
Must represent Emerson with the highest degree of professionalism to both internal and external audiences.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
A minimum of 5+ years of related experience in higher education, experience with retention efforts strongly preferred.
Experience developing, leading or supporting retention programs for college-aged students.

Nice to Have:
Master's Degree. Working knowledge of college financial aid and/or billing practices.
Progressively responsible experience in higher education working directly with students.
Experience with Banner, Slate, Google Suite and Maxient.
Be or be willing to become an Emersion: Foundations of Success FYS Instructor, Accredited Financial Counselor and/or a Gallup's Strengths Assessment Practitioner.

About Us
Emerson College is the nations only four-year institution dedicated exclusively to majors in communication and the arts in a liberal arts context. Its main campus is located in the center of the dynamic multicultural city of Boston, in close proximity to major publishing houses, arts institutions, and research centers. The college also has campuses in Los Angeles and the Netherlands. Emerson College enrolls over 4,300 graduate and undergraduate students from more than 70 countries and all 50 states.

Success Coach/Retention Specialist

Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the SENSE Student Success/Career Coordinator, this employee conducts retention activities for students campus wide. The Success Coach/Retention Specialist facilitates student success workshops, prepares and implements academic success plans with students, plans and coordinates individual retention strategies to support student success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Manages reporting systems established by the Success/Career Coordinator.
Provides proactive intervention for at risk college students.
Works with the student, faculty, and other academic support offices to offer resources and interventions that enhance success.
Plans, coordinates, and facilitates student success workshops and assists with faculty development workshops.
Refers students to appropriate support services or departments; evaluates and maintains student records for degree requirements using academic evaluation system.
Prepares and implements academic success plans with students and assist students who are placed on academic probation and financial aid warning status due to lack of satisfactory academic progress.
Develops and oversees an academic early warning and referral program.
Monitors student registration activities and academic performance/progress.
Coordinates communications to students utilizing intentional advising plans that engage students regarding personal and professional goals, course scheduling, core major requirements, and academic resources.
Assists in the development of student success initiatives.
Assists with career exploration and planning activities.
Assists in the development of tracking systems and survey instruments to measure success of students receiving project services, analyzes data, and presents results to use for planning strategic interventions.
Monitors and tracks the persistence, retention, progression, and graduation of all students.
Serves on the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee to assist in coordinating retention efforts college-wide.
Stays abreast of current best practices and research literature on retention and college success.
Participates in registration, pre-college orientation (NSE), and college events as assigned.
Serves on committees as assigned.
Participates in graduation and other college activities.
Participates in the College’s planning process.
Performs other duties as assigned that relate to the position.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
One (1) year of full-time experience working in education, social services, counseling, or a related field, or work experience relevant to the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.
Requires self-motivated individual with demonstrated leadership and management skills who enjoys working with students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
Ability to work under supervision, on a team, and independently.
Ability to work a flexible, nonstandard workweek.
High degree of workplace professionalism
Effective oral and written communication skills; proficiency in the English language.
Proficiency in public speaking before both small and large groups.
Strong computer skills; proficient use of the Microsoft Office suite.
Knowledge of best practices in higher education academic support services, and retention practices.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Banner software
Experience with developmental education and/or academic success initiatives.
Experience with academic advising, academic support, and retention services.

Student Success/Retention Specialist

Frederick Community College

Reporting to the Director of Student Success and Retention, the Student Success/Retention Specialist performs a broad range of responsibilities to meet the needs of the Student Success Programs office, including proactively engaging and serving students, supporting college-wide student success initiatives, and collaborating across campus to contribute to the overall success of retention, persistence, and completion. These responsibilities include but are not limited to communicating with students and faculty, assisting students with resources, and providing timely interventions to help students in their academic progress. This position supports enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives of the College. The Retention Specialist demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and racial/ethnic backgrounds of community college students. This position may use varying styles and approaches that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, multicultural workplace.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following are the functions essential to performing this job.

1. Outreach, coach, and meet regularly with students assigned through caseload to discuss needs, monitor academic progress and assist with the resolution of academic and personal challenges.

2. Develop and implement academic support initiatives, programs, and services that assist special populations, such as single parents, first-generation college students, limited-income students, and students from racially underrepresented backgrounds.

3. Serve as an integral member of the Student Success & Retention Committee, the case management team, and coordinated care processes via the College’s comprehensive intervention system, currently EAB Navigate.

4. Develop individual success/action plans for student caseload and partner with academic advisors to support students in course registration support, satisfactory academic progress, and outreach activities.

5. Participate in and assist with coordinating proactive outreach and enrollment campaigns to students, including calls, texts, and email.

6. Stay up to date on college academic programs, college academic policies, academic partnerships, national trends, and best practices that improve retention and student success.

7. Partner with Student Finance, Financial Aid, Registration & Records, Career & Academic Planning Services (CAPS), and other stakeholders to guide students and remove barriers to success.

8. Collect, maintain, and evaluate data regarding students’ progress and contribute to reports, grant proposals, and college-wide updates.

9. Support various enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives of the College.

10. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Success & Retention

Required Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree

2. Two (2) years of demonstrated experience working with transfer services, career development, academic advising, recruitment, counseling, or related functions

3. Two (2) years of experience working with students of color, first-generation, limited income, non-traditional, or disproportionately impacted students in a higher education setting

Desired Qualifications

1. Master’s Degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Advising, or related field

2. Experience working in a community college setting or have a demonstrated understanding of the mission of a community college.

3. Demonstrated understanding of best practices in providing holistic support to students in a community college setting preferred.

4. Demonstrated understanding of student transition, student retention, and student development theory.

5. Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, student records systems, early alert monitoring systems, social media and web communications, and database systems.

6. Evidence of strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication, organizational, and project management skills.

7. Proficiency in a second language, preferably Spanish

Director of Student Retention

Greensboro College Inc

Greensboro College is a United Methodist Church-related, liberal-arts institution that has been located in the center of Greensboro, North Carolina, for more than 183 years. The college offers more than 35 majors to a student body of approximately 1,000.

Greensboro College has received a five-year, $2M Title III SIP grant from the U.S. Department of Education to enhance student persistence and graduation rates at the College. The grant was effective in October 2018. As part of the grant support, Greensboro College is now accepting applications for the position of Director of Student Retention to begin immediately.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Student Retention leads the implementation and management of a comprehensive student retention plan for the College. The Director of Student Retention is responsible for strategic student retention leadership and assessment of retention-related activities, operations, and preparation of reports.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversee, implement, and coordinate a comprehensive student retention plan
Work with the Early Alert Team and Student Retention Advisory Committee to develop individualized and institutional interventions for student success
Collaborate with Registrar, Student Development, Faculty, Academic Administrators, Admissions, Athletics, Financial Aid and other campus partners to create an integrated college experience for students
Supervise and coordinate Office of Retention programs including Supplemental Instruction, Math Support, First Citizens Bank Global Communication Center, Mentor Collective, and The Sankofa Center for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Facilitate development & implementation of an effective process to evaluate progress toward objectives to influence institutional policy changes when warranted
Authorize all expenditures & manage the Title III budget, including recommendations for any proposed budget changes and a no cost extension year
Research and procure additional funding sources, including but not limited to federal & state grants and corporate sponsorships
Work with administrators and faculty to institutionalize improvements in federal and grantmaking workflow processes and compliance with internal controls and legal requirements
Ensure adherence to all applicable college, state and federal requirements; communicate effectively and oversee preparation and submission of required fiscal and annual reports to the U.S. Department of Education
Work with the Gardner Institute and faculty teams to reduce barriers to learning and assist in the course redesign process
Represent the College at professional conferences
Benefit from a generous professional development allowance, with up to $3000 in funded opportunities
Pursue one's vision for how the College can deliver on its promise to students to find their path to graduation
Connect with student-centered offices that truly share a desire to see students succeed

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Masters Degree in an appropriate discipline
At least 3-5 years of progressive responsibility in enrollment management, retention and/or student outcomes assessment preferred
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups
Excellent leadership, customer service, communication, organizational, managerial, analytical and interpersonal skills
Demonstrate the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently while meeting required deadlines