"Retention Specialist"

Job Details

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Position Title: Retention Specialist

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Outreach Specialist

Job Duties:

Under the leadership of the Director and Assistant Director for Retention in Multicultural Student Services, the Retention Specialist will provide on-going support students of promise at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. This position responds to students’ academic and financial needs through coaching and referral to appropriate campus resources. Retention Specialist supports students to navigate the university system, focusing on academic, financial and student engagement with a holistic approach to advising. Our goal is to provide students with an atmosphere that supports connection, access, authenticity, and sense of belonging. This role works to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising to promote student success, retention, and persistence.

The Division of Access, Belonging, & Compliance is committed to fostering a strong sense of community where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. The division fosters leadership development and advocacy programming that empowers faculty, staff, and students to pursue the Wisconsin Idea and succeed in a complex global society. The Division includes the following departments: Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement, Disability Resource Center, McNair Scholars, Office of Multicultural Student Services, Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, Pride Center, Student Support Services, Title IX, and Youth Protections.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

The review of applications starts on November 17, 2025. Applications received on or before November 17th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Retention Program Initiatives 40%

• Assists in the development of programs and initiatives that that relate to the retention and graduation for students of promise.
• Promote awareness, sensitivity, advocacy, and understanding to ensure access for students of promise.
• Helps coordinate the office’s AERIE living/learning community (LLC) program in partnership with University’s Residence Life.
• Provides leadership for the development of appropriate transition programs as the programming relates to first year experience transition, financial and academic success.
• Conduct advisement meetings with each LLC student and assigned caseload to collaboratively set, monitor, and revise individual academic goals, ensuring consistent progress and support throughout the academic year.
• Co-supervise, hire and train four undergraduate student mentors to support their effectiveness working with LLC mentees.
• Assist in direct internal and external LLC communication strategies, including website content, social media, emails, and campus wide communication.
• Direct recruitment activities in coordination with Residence Life and Admissions, as well as relevant campus offices
• Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and helps identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and transfer strategies
• Collaborates with campus partners to ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach to students needs and services are being met.

Other Duties and Responsibilities 10%

• Represent the department and Division at university functions that require training or orientation.
• Occasional weekend, evening work and travel work is required.
• Represent the department and Division at university functions that require training or orientation.
• Assist in recruitment efforts in collaboration with Admissions such as tabling events, campus visit presentations and talking with prospective student(s).
• Monitor budget related to retention services and programming
• Serve on university and division committees
• Other duties as assigned, reflective of unit and divisional mission and values.

Academic and Financial Retention 50%

• Work with Assistant Director for Retention to create strategies and coordinate efforts for tracking students on academic probation, suspension and re-admittance.
• Establish a student-centered approach in student advising by explaining policies, referring to campus resources, and developing self-advocacy skills.
• Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and helps identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and persistence strategies.
• Monitors, plans, and facilitates student academic progress, student programming, and success plans.
• Establishes and maintains ongoing efforts to assess and evaluate the quality of campus life for minoritized students and recommends appropriate solutions to address academic and non-academic issues.
• Supports staff with SAP appeals and assists students through complex problems, assesses individual's circumstances, and resolves issues the processing and receipt of federal aid and financial concerns when necessary.
• Maintains positive and productive working relationships with academic departments and student support offices, including the Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, Career and Professional Development Office, Counseling Services, Residence Life and to assist students' persistence through graduation.
• Collaborate and serve as a liaison with academic advisors and student success professionals in the college and other divisions to coordinate student support efforts across campus.
• Maintains confidentiality and accurate student records and processes and responds to academic inquiries according to established institutional and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policies.
• Works with the OMSS Assistant Director for Retention and Retention Specialist to communicate and report student outreach utilizing Navigate platform.

Department: Multicultural Student Services

Compensation: $46,500 / year

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, sociology, psychology, or related field.
• Minimum of one year experience of demonstrated ability to work with low income, first generation, transfer, multicultural and/or diverse students in an educational setting.
• Experience working with event planning, organizing, marketing and communication strategies, and working with multiple stakeholders on projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and community members, especially when working with student leaders
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience applying student success principles, including academic engagement, increasing access, fostering community, and enhancing belonging, in related work.
• Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, student affairs and higher education, or related field.
• Experience with training and/or development
• Experience coordinating and facilitating small group discussions.
• Experience working with financial aid programs.
• Strong computer proficiency with Peoplesoft, Canvas, and Navigate

How to Apply:

Required application documents

Cover letter

Resume/CV

Contact Information:

Reg Hawkins rhawkins@uwlax.edu