TRIO SSS Retention Specialist

TRIO/SSS Retention Specialist

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Position Summary

The TRIO/SSS Retention Specialist is a dynamic and data-informed professional who works collaboratively to support students in the TRIO/SSS program. The Retention Specialist coordinates program data entry and management, and the logistics for TRIO workshops and events. This position also serves as the first point of contact for students and the campus community when they enter the TRIO Student Support Services office.

The Retention Specialist additionally provides direct, holistic support to a caseload of 15-20 students who are first-generation, low-income, and/or have documented disabilities. The Retention Specialist builds strong relationships with students, empowers them to navigate academic and personal challenges, and connects them to resources that support their persistence, academic success, and graduation.

Working in close partnership with the Program Director and Student Success Specialist, the Retention Specialist adds a critical layer of support, ensuring that the team can not only recruit students, but retain them throughout their college careers.

This is a 100% grant-funded position. This position is in-person and is not eligible for hybrid or remote work. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of federal funding.

Data Entry, Management, & Reporting

• Coordinate the application process, including data entry, communication with applicants, and eligibility verification.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and confidential records of all student contacts and progress in the program's database.
• Serve as the team's data quality coordinator, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and accuracy through monitoring, validation, and cleanup.
• Assist the Program Director in analyzing and reporting on student persistence, risk factors, and institutional barriers.
• Assist the Program Director in compiling and reporting data related to program objectives for the Annual Performance Report (APR).

Holistic Advising & Case Management

• Manage a caseload of 15-20 assigned SSS participants, serving as the main point of contact within the TRIO SSS program.
• Meet regularly with students for one-on-one sessions and to provide proactive academic, financial, career, and personal guidance.
• Develop and monitor students' Plan for Academic and Career Exploration (PACE) to set goals and track progress toward degree completion.
• Assist students on course selection, major exploration, and understanding degree requirements, working in close collaboration with TRiO colleagues, the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), and faculty advisors.
• Support students with financial aid processes, including FAFSA completion/renewal and scholarship searches, to promote financial literacy and reduce loan debt.
• Provide timely and effective interventions for students…