Assistant Director, Retention

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Office of Student Retention implements targeted student success interventions that are guided by evidence-based practices and institutional data and analytics.

The Assistant Director will champion these efforts for the entire department helping to coordinate the programmatic needs of the OSR. This position is a dynamic, bridge-building position that works to unify the efforts of the many retention programs at WCU while leading data and assessment efforts for the unit and supporting transfer students.

Responsibilities include:

• Data-Driven Analysis & Assessment – Collaborate with Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness for analysis and assessment of programming and interventions for continuous improvement; will work with the Director to identify and assess the programs in the OSR and retention data. Specifically, this role will work with each program to help create quality assessments that tell the story of retention at WCU.
• Recovery and Persistence Outreach – Provide individualized academic success coaching to students, empowering students to develop strategies that support academic achievement, continued enrollment, and timely degree completion. Partner with students experiencing academic challenges or barriers to success to identify goals, build resilience, and create action plans that promote academic and personal growth. Coach students navigating academic standing concerns, including those returning to the University following academic suspension or dismissal, by fostering self-reflection, accountability, and effective decision-making. Deliver proactive, student-centered coaching to students exhibiting academic, engagement, or persistence indicators associated with increased risk of attrition, as well as those within the “murky middle” who may benefit from additional support despite not meeting traditional high-risk criteria.
• Office duties – assist with academic standing, appeals, term withdrawals, and re-admission after suspension/dismissal. This position will also coordinate student workers at the front desk.

The candidate should have a comprehensive knowledge of academic and support programs and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice. This role is highly collaborative, and the selected candidate must be able to collaborate with faculty and staff in the academic colleges, student affairs, academic support units, and athletics. An institutional perspective, excellent communication, and consensus-building skills, as well as an ability to interpret significant student data and generate appropriate actions are essential.

As part of an office dedicated to supporting students, the Assistant Director will have the exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the office's vision and to develop innovative student programming.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or related field is required
• 2 years of experience in education supporting students, including student advising, teaching, or student support services
• Experience using data analytics to design and assess student interventions
• Experience supporting diverse student populations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong skills in interpersonal/communication, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects
• Experience using student development theories, data analysis, and evidence-based practices for supporting student success initiatives and programs.
• Creative and data-driven problem-solving abilities
• Knowledge of WCU's academic policies and on-campus student resources
• Experience with EAB Navigate student success management system and Ellucian Banner Student
• Strong commitment to student success

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Ashley Steinel at steinela@email.wcu.edu

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35342