Student Retention Specialist

Position: STUDENT RETENTION SPECIALIST
Under the supervision of the Director of Student Success, the Student Retention Specialist is a key player in supporting the success of students. This position will work proactively with students and staff to promote student engagement, retention and completion by addressing individual student needs and barriers to success inside and outside the classroom. Utilizing a highly responsive, holistic approach, this position will monitor student progress and provide the appropriate outreach.

This position works closely with students, faculty, advisors, and support service departments to remove barriers to success and promote continuous enrollment, academic progress, and credential-completion/goal attainment.

* Identify and monitor students at risk of attrition using data, early alert systems, and faculty referrals. Respond to alerts by providing resources to students and communicating with faculty.

* Through the use of predictive analytics, engages and supports students through proactive referral to appropriate resources, interventions, timely reminders, and other targeted individual and group communications using texting, phone calls, voice mail, and social media.

* Works with students, in collaboration with faculty and staff, to schedule student appointments in the Student Success Center and follow-up for missed appointments to ensure students receive the academic support they need.

* Services as liaison between appropriate academic departments.

* Collaborates with the Retention and Completion Analyst to complete appropriate reports and assessments to develop a continual process of improvement.

* Fosters student retention and degree completion by monitoring student progress with check-ins, scheduled meetings, outreach and communication, and responding to students' questions, concerns and needs. Refers students to appropriate staff and faculty for intervention.

* Assists counselors with securing candidates for note-taker positions. Collaborate and assists the counselor's efforts to notify disability students regarding services and accommodations.

* Supports both the Student Success area and Testing Center, assisting with testing accommodations as directed by the Testing Center Coordinator as needed.

* Assist in training student tutors prior to and throughout each semester.

* Models and promotes a culture where accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in college life and operations, working regularly with diverse populations.

* Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the supervisor.

* Contributes to the overall success of the Student Success Center by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

* Co-chair the campus-wide retention task force.

* Provides institutional leadership for an effective program of Student Activities, and the operation of Student Government.

* Training officers, planning initiation and graduation ceremonies. Provides ongoing leadership training inclusive of Robert's Rules of Order for all clubs.

* Plans and implements recruitment efforts by capitalizing on college data systems and coordinating with SGA and PTA organization. Outcomes to include the implementation of automated membership application systems: i.e.(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

* Fills in on an as-needed basis under the direction of the Director of Student Success.

* Performs other duties as assigned.

* Bachelor's Degree required, Master's Degree preferred.

* Experience with educational/institutional student assessment, experience assisting students/clients in academic and/or life skills.

* Experience working with low-income and/or first-generation student preferred.

* Experience creating proactive programs centering around academics.

SKILLS:

* Skill in maintaining and updating records and related systems by displaying strong attention to detail, dedication to customer service, and a team approach to work.

* Skill and proficiency in the use of office equipment and technology, computers and related software, such as word processing and spreadsheets, and the ability to master new technologies.

* Skill in diplomacy, tact and emotional intelligence required to develop positive relations.  

* Skill in responding to public inquiries and internal requests with a high degree of professionalism.

* Skill in developing, implementing, and maintaining procedures to enhance efficiency in department operations and coordinate activities across departments.

ABILITIES:

* Ability to acquire knowledge of the principles and practices of a community college and skill in providing support to such activities.

* Ability to work flexibly and independently, set priorities, work simultaneously on numerous tasks, use good judgement and initiative, and meet/exceed deadlines.  

* Ability to work with minimal direction and comfortable with making decisions.
Ability to understand…