Program Manager - Degree Completion Specialist

Job Details

Department: Retention and Grad Initiatives

Salary: 43,000.00 to 48,900.00

Description:

Manages the day-to-day operations of a small or medium-sized university program or department. May supervise staff employees, student workers, programs or processes.

1. Plans and develops procedures for administering a small or medium-sized department or program.
2. Oversees program expenditures and ensures adherence to budget.
3. Provides guidance to subordinate staff and evaluates performance.
4. May prepare or participate in the creation of abstracts, research reports, funding proposals, operations and procedure manuals, and other written material and documentation.
5. Reviews reports of budgets and activities.
6. Prepares ad hoc reports as needed.
7. May administer grants and grant-related related communications, scholarships and other operations.
8. Develops, implements and maintains appropriate policies and procedures.
9. May serve as property custodian for the department.
10. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties:

• Serves as the primary case manager for students experiencing academic, financial, or enrollment challenges that may delay degree completion. Provides individualized support, monitors progress, and coordinates timely interventions.
• Supervises the Peer Assistant Leaders (PALs), including recruitment, training, scheduling, and ongoing performance guidance to ensure consistent, high-quality student outreach and service delivery.
• Conducts proactive outreach using student-success data to identify students needing assistance and to coordinate follow-up with both the specialist and the PAL team.
• Collaborates with campus partners such as Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Business Services, and college offices to resolve barriers impacting student progression.
• Provides clear guidance on academic policies, degree requirements, and enrollment processes to support timely decision-making and student understanding.
• Maintains accurate case documentation, tracks student progress indicators, and prepares reports to support coordinated student-success efforts.
• Identifies trends and recommends process improvements that strengthen retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes.
• Delivers student-centered support through problem-solving, referrals, and consistent follow-up to ensure students receive timely assistance.