Retention Specialist, La Plaza

Retention Specialist – La Plaza

Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Full‑Time. Salary: $63,206–$82,166 per year. Application due:
Open Until Filled.

The La Plaza Retention Specialist is responsible for the daily operations, programming, and student engagement at the La Plaza Latine resource center. The role centers Latine students, develops and creates bridges to academic and co‑curricular resources, advises and supports students with culturally‑appropriate and inclusive services, and supports the holistic well‑being and thriving of Western Washington University (WWU) students through co‑curricular programming, supportive advising and counseling, and referrals to other university and community resources.

The Retention Specialist will be supervised by the Director of Multicultural Student Services and will collaborate with staff and programs within The Office of Multicultural Student Services, LGBTQ+ Western, and Disability Access Center. Together, the three departments make up The Centers for Student Access, Community, and Intercultural Engagement Unit within Academic Affairs.

The Retention Specialist will also collaborate with community partners and organizations to bridge relationships with prospective students, current students, alumni, and community members.

• Program Development & Management (30%)
  • Manage daily operations of La Plaza.
  • Create, implement, and assess comprehensive co‑curricular programming and events centering Latine identities (e.g., welcome event La Bienvenida, Dia De Los Muertos, Si Se Pudo Celebration of Graduates).
  • Provide intersectional programmatic support by partnering with LGBTQ+ Western, Disability Access Center, and Tribal Liaison Office.
  • Develop, implement, assess, and enhance programs and services for Latine students to support enrollment, retention, satisfaction, and completion.
  • Chair the Latine Student Support Network and the Latine Heritage Month committee.
  • Support University Admissions, Compass to Campus, and other programs in hosting Latine student‑centered recruitment efforts.
  • Create a welcoming and inclusive environment centering Latine student success.
• Supervision, Engagement, and Advising (30%)
  • Recruit, hire, train, and supervise 8–10 student employees.
  • Advise ESC clubs and centering clubs celebrating Latine identity; liaise with Club Activities Office and faculty and staff club advisors.
  • Advise individual students to support academic success, development, and holistic well‑being.
  • Provide connections to additional university and community resources as appropriate.
  • Provide direct outreach to current and prospective students by participating in speaking, tabling, and events (e.g., Fall Info Fair, events hosted by Admissions, University Residences, and the Counseling and Wellness Center).
  • Foster a supportive and student‑centered environment to empower students with self‑advocacy skills and academic success.
• Institutional Support and Guidance (20%)
  • Collaborate and consult with departments in and beyond The Centers to embed resources throughout student services.
  • Meet regularly with fellow supervisors of student staff.
  • Develop, implement, and assess student staff training with other staff members.
  • Represent Office of Multicultural Student Services and The Centers at university committees.
  • Participate in strategic planning for MSS and The Centers; contribute to assessment, communication, and reporting about programming and services, including annual reporting.
  • Support Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services on policies, procedures, and issues relevant to La Plaza operations and programming.
  • Research and share best practices with faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Administration (15%)
  • Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, including record retention requirements.
  • Coordinate training with student staff to support compliance.
  • Manage the La Plaza annual budget (approximately $200,000) in collaboration with the Director of Multicultural Student Services.
  • Manage the La Plaza website and develop social media presence.
  • Participate in strategic planning; contribute to communication and reporting, including annual reporting.
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
  • Participate in division and university committees and initiatives as assigned.
  • Engage in regular professional development in community, accessibility, and intercultural engagement.
  • Support management of Ethnic Student Center programs and front‑desk with other professional staff.

Western Washington University encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences.