"DHSI Retention and Resilience Coordinator (REOPENED) - Academic Support and Retention Services "

Location: Academic Support and Retention Services

Hours: Full-Time, Salary

Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Grant Overview: Southern Adventist University received a federal grant in which we proposed to establish a STEM Success program for Hispanic, low-income, and other underserved student populations. The main program goals include the following:

1. Develop and pilot outreach strategies to high school students with a compelling case for pursuing postsecondary STEM degrees as an investment in their future.
2. Retain students after enrollment through high-quality mentoring programs, targeted curriculum improvements focused on at-risk student groups, and directed access to resources addressing basic needs (food, transportation, counseling); and
3. Graduate students in a fewer number of years and prepare them for immediate employment after graduation as a result of hands-on classroom training with state-of-the-art STEM equipment, paid internships, and paid undergraduate research.

The Retention and Resilience Coordinator: The Retention and Resilience Coordinator (RRC) for the Title V STEM Success Program grant (2023-2028) is a full time (1 FTE) staff position that will be funded through the entirety of the grant.

Job Description: The RRC will:

• Coordinates the support navigators’ programs (i.e. peer- mentoring), and recruit and train support navigators.
• Identifies students who need support.
• Identifies on-campus spaces and create programming to serve at-risk students specifically.
• Works with faculty, staff, and the community to create paid internship and paid research opportunities.
• Collaborates with deans and chairs of academic departments and schools to identify specific curricula for courses where at-risk students often receive poor scores and determine where adjustments would be most effective.
• Provides strong support and leadership on the DHSI Student Success Committee.
• Closely supports retention and tracking of all students engaged in the Support Navigation Program.
• Builds and monitors assessment for the program, and report program progress to the DHSI Project Manager.
• Assists the DHSI Project Manager, Academic Support and Retention Services, Life Calling & Career Services, and the Center for Teaching Excellence with developing or coordinating programming as needed or assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• QualificationsMaster’s degree in case management or student-focused discipline (e.g. Social Work, Counseling, Education).
• Background in student retention and advising in higher education.
• Experience in tracking and reporting student progress (Preferably in higher education).
• Demonstrated experience in student mentoring.
• Demonstrated experience in case management or training.
• Experience with student recruitment and retention issues, particularly at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) (Preferred).
• Experience implementing new programs and adjusting to immediate needs effectively.
• Proven experience effectively serving at-risk students and their families.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and with attention to detail.
• Ability to interact professionally and comfortably with students, faculty, colleagues, and external organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, and
• Ability to communicate in Spanish (Preferred).

Special Requirements: An expressed commitment to Jesus Christ, the teachings and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and an Adventist church member in good and regular standing. 

Typical Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, bending, and reaching. It may require lifting up to 25 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, and telephones. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Working Conditions: Essential tasks are performed under normal office/school conditions with little or no noticeable discomfort. The work area is well lit and ventilated.