Assistant Director, Retention

Assistant Director, Retention - #270020

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Office of Student Retention implements targeted student success interventions that are guided by evidence-based practices and institutional data and analytics.

The Assistant Director will champion these efforts for the entire department helping to coordinate the programmatic needs of the OSR. This position is a dynamic, bridge-building position that works to unify the efforts of the many retention programs at WCU while leading data and assessment efforts for the unit and supporting transfer students.

Responsibilities include:

• Data-Driven Analysis & Assessment
  - Collaborate with Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness for analysis and assessment of programming and interventions for continuous improvement; will work with the Director to identify and assess the programs in the OSR and retention data. Specifically, this role will work with each program to help create quality assessments that tell the story of retention at WCU.
• Recovery and Persistence Outreach
  - Provide individualized academic success coaching to students, empowering students to develop strategies that support academic achievement, continued enrollment, and timely degree completion. Partner with students experiencing academic challenges or barriers to success to identify goals, build resilience, and create action plans that promote academic and personal growth. Coach students navigating academic standing concerns, including those returning to the University following academic suspension or dismissal, by fostering self-reflection, accountability, and effective decision-making.
  
  Deliver proactive, student-centered coaching to students exhibiting academic, engagement, or persistence indicators associated with increased risk of attrition, as well as those within the "murky middle" who may benefit from additional support despite not meeting traditional high-risk criteria.
• Office duties - assist with academic standing, appeals, term withdrawals, and re-admission after suspension/dismissal. This position will also coordinate student workers at the front desk.

The candidate should have a comprehensive knowledge of academic and support programs and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice. This role is highly collaborative, and the selected candidate must be able to collaborate with faculty and staff in the academic colleges, student affairs, academic support units, and athletics. An institutional perspective, excellent communication, and consensus-building skills, as well as an ability to interpret significant student data and generate appropriate actions are essential.

As part of an office dedicated to supporting students, the Assistant Director will have the exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the office's vision and to develop innovative student programming.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or related field is required
• 2 years of experience in education supporting students, including student advising, teaching, or student support services
• Experience using data analytics to design and assess student interventions
• Experience supporting diverse student populations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders

• Strong skills in interpersonal/communication, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects
• Experience using student development theories, data analysis, and evidence-based practices for supporting student success initiatives and programs.
• Creative and data-driven problem-solving abilities
• Knowledge of WCU's academic policies and on-campus student resources
• Experience with EAB Navigate student success management system and Ellucian Banner Student
• Strong commitment to student success

Position Type:
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week: 40

Number of Months Per Year: 12

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability;…