Student Advocacy Specialist - Bellisario College of Communications

Student Advocacy Specialist

Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

This role coordinates student retention and student success efforts, with a focus on first‑year seminars and targeted populations such as 2+2 students, Pell grant recipients, underrepresented minorities, and first‑generation students.

• Monitor undergraduate retention, persistence, and graduation rates for key student populations.
• Design, implement, and assess programs and outreach initiatives that promote student success with a focus on targeted populations.
• Oversee the College’s Living‑Learning Community in partnership with Residence Life and develop programming to support first‑year student success.
• Support undergraduate recruitment and enrollment initiatives, including events and prospective student outreach.
• Collaborate with student organizations and oversee student mentoring and federal work‑study programs to enhance engagement and retention.
• Partner with the scholarships coordinator to align scholarship resources with student success and graduation goals.
• Evaluate and enhance first‑year seminars and curricular/co‑curricular initiatives to improve retention and persistence, especially for transfer and 2+2 students.
• Assist with undergraduate recruitment efforts, including attendance at recruitment events and outreach to prospective students.
• May supervise student employees.

Advanced Professional:
Bachelor’s Degree plus 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Senior Professional:
Master’s Degree plus 6+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.

Employment with Penn State will require a successful background check. Penn State does not sponsor nor take over sponsorship of a staff employment visa; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary range: $49,188.00 – $78,444.00.

Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, paid time off, holidays, and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.