"Retention Specialist"

Job Details

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title:

Retention Specialist

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Retention Specialist

Job Duties:

Retention Specialist, Multicultural Student Services

The Retention Specialist provides services and programming to support student retention, engagement, and success in the Multicultural Student Services (MSS) Office. Through advisement, intentional programming, and direct student engagement, this position coordinates initiatives that help students navigate institutional processes, develop academic success plans, and connect with appropriate campus resources. Additionally, this role collaborates with other departments to facilitate student support services, and organizes workshops and activities that foster student belonging, personal and leadership development, and academic success.

The retention specialist will report to the MSS Director.

Official UW Title (Code) / Job Description: Retention Specialist AE107

Responsibilities

Student Retention and Advisement

• Provide advisement and support to students in areas such as academic support, career exploration, personal and leadership development, financial literacy, and graduate education.
• Provide outreach and retention services to high and early support students (academic probation, academic suspension, early intervention, etc.).
• Meet with students to assist and guide their college transition, develop an academic success plan, connect them to appropriate services meeting their needs, and work collaboratively across campus to seek resources to support students.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to facilitate academic and personal support services and retention initiatives.
• Utilize EAB Navigate to monitor student academic progress, schedule advising appointments, and track student contacts.
• Facilitate workshop and leadership opportunities that enhance student engagement and growth and cultivate supportive environments where students from all backgrounds feel valued and a sense of belonging.
• Promote student involvement in university activities and encourage participation in student organizations.
• Provide support to affinity group student organization(s) through advisement, leadership development, and guidance with event planning and coordination.
• Represent MSS on university-wide initiatives including but not limited to committee work and designated projects.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work are expected.
• Other duties as assigned.

Focus Area:

Grant and Scholarship Coordination

• Coordinate MSS grant and scholarship programs in collaboration with Financial Aid office.
• Monitor and track recipients’ academic progress, activities for renewal, retention, and graduation.
• Maintain Canvas course, including developing online workshops/modules and reviewing activity submissions.
• Update and maintain grant and scholarship applications and materials, including promoting funding availability and opportunities to eligible students.
• Respond to inquiries related to grants and scholarships.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and help identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and transfer strategies
• Monitors, plans, and facilitates student academic progress, student programming, and success plans
• Makes recommendations to improve retention efforts
• Advocates for campus-wide retention initiatives
• Provides referrals to appropriate campus resources
• Maintains accurate student records including contact logs, case notes, and files
• Adheres to the established plan of operation, curriculum, process policy, program procedures, and all other related federal regulations
• Communicates, assists, and monitors progress of students
• May assist with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and/or provide financial aid/scholarship information

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals from all diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Demonstrated experience in planning, developing, and facilitating programs, events, and workshops from design to implementation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Highly Desired/Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in professional advising or retention services within higher education
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflicts and/or solve complex problems
• Proven skills in working with student record-keeping databases (i.e. PeopleSoft, Navigate or similar systems) and Microsoft Office Suite

How to Apply:

(Details on application process as per guidelines)