Retention Specialist

Job Summary:

This position is a high student contact role responsible for retention programs and services focused on the first-year experience and at-risk student populations. The role provides programmatic leadership in student-facing initiatives such as career fairs, career readiness, resume writing, workforce readiness skill development, and may teach one section of College Success. The position supports inclusion programming and provides success coaching to students on academic probation.

The Retention Specialist works collaboratively with faculty and staff to identify and address amendable obstacles to student success; supervises proficiency/evaluation testing and peer mentors/tutors for students with language barriers or remedial needs. Due to the high visibility of the role, occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

• Provide success‑coaching services for academic probation students in collaboration with campus staff.
• Work directly with retention software for updates, referrals, and communication of student success initiatives.
• Coordinate and implement student-facing initiatives such as resume writing and workforce readiness.
• Organize and oversee career fairs and events with internal and external constituents.
• Teach one section of College Success each fall, focusing on career development and retention.
• Conduct retention assessments (e.g., focus groups), assemble statistics, and disseminate findings to stakeholders.
• Assist students through the college withdrawal process and provide support as needed.
• Support campus persistence and retention efforts.
• Compile and analyze retention data for stakeholder use.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PSC’s “Campus of a Thousand Oaks,” an arboretum campus, is nestled in historic southeast Nebraska. The state’s first college, Peru State, provides students of all backgrounds access to engaging educational experiences to strengthen and enrich communities, Nebraska, and the world. PSC is a member institution of the Nebraska State College System. For more information, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). or call

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree and related work experience.

• Master’s degree in a field related to higher education, human development, learning theory, guidance and counseling, psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience in retention programming, retention software, academic support, or student affairs.
• Functional knowledge of support programming in retention efforts and familiarity with best practices in higher education student services.
• Strong interest in learning dynamics, effective transition programming, and a detail-oriented approach to projects.
• Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with faculty, department heads, campus community members, students, and external constituents.

• Background Check.
• Driving Record Check.

Org Unit:
Assessment and Student Support Services, PSC
Advertised Salary:
Mid to high 40’s DOQ
Job Type: Full‑time
Benefits Eligible:
Yes
FLSA Status:
Exempt

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact: hr

The Nebraska State Colleges are equal opportunity institutions and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment. Each College coordinates non‑discrimination efforts in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For inquiries about non‑discrimination policies, contact the Compliance Coordinator at each College.