Retention Advisor

Job Summary

The Retention Advisor at Morgan State University plays a crucial role in supporting the success and retention of first- and second-year students through personalized academic advising and proactive interventions. This entry‑level position focuses on providing high-quality academic guidance, building strong student relationships, and promoting timely degree progression, with at least 50% of the time dedicated to direct academic advising. Under the guidance of a Senior Retention Coordinator (or Retention Coordinator in the absence of an SRC), the Retention Advisor helps students navigate the complexities of the university curriculum, general education requirements, and degree pathways to ensure a smooth transition into university life.

• Meet with each advisee three times per semester (averaging one meeting per month), providing guidance on course selection, academic resources, and overall degree planning.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of advising sessions using EAB Navigate
  360, tracking student progress and providing consistent support.
• Ensure students are on track with core curriculum, general education, and major‑specific degree pathways to support academic success and timely graduation.
• Advise students on registration, course load, and academic policies, helping them navigate academic challenges and ensuring they understand university requirements.

• Identify at‑risk students and implement targeted success plans or interventions, including outreach for Drop List issues, academic performance concerns, or financial clearance processes.
• Use data analytics to identify trends in student performance, implementing proactive strategies to improve retention and persistence.
• Participate in outreach campaigns designed to engage students and address specific academic barriers.

• Maintain professional, timely communication with students, parents, faculty, and university staff, ensuring students are aware of deadlines, policy changes, and academic requirements.
• Collaborate with academic departments and other student success teams to ensure accurate dissemination of curriculum changes, academic policies, and student progression requirements.
• Provide regular feedback and updates to academic leadership and team members regarding student needs, academic issues, and retention progress.

• Assist with Bear Necessities New Student Orientation and other onboarding initiatives, providing students with the information and guidance necessary for a smooth transition to university life.
• Participate in freshmen orientation courses and other student engagement programs designed to enhance the university experience for first-year students.
• Ensure students are compliant with financial clearance and other administrative requirements that could impede academic progress.

• Ensure clear communication regarding curriculum and policy changes, making sure students and other stakeholders are aware of updates that could affect academic performance and progression.

• Education: The successful candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of related experience is required.