Assistant Director, Advising and Retention

Whitworth University•Whitworth University Campus, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement. The Assistant Director, Advising and Retention plays a key role in helping graduate students in the School of Education successfully navigate their Whitworth experience from enrollment through completion. This position provides individualized academic advising, monitors student progress, helps students navigate certification and licensure requirements, and connects students with the resources they need to succeed. Working closely with program directors, the Department Chair, Graduate Enrollment Services, and campus partners, the Assistant Director also supports GSE program operations, events, communications, reporting, and continuous improvement. This is a collaborative, student-centered role for someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems, keeping things moving, and helping students reach their goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Three years of professional experience in higher education, adult education, academic advising, student services, program coordination, or a related field.
A personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.
A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

Responsibilities

Advise current students regarding program requirements, degree progress, course registration, and completion expectations; develop and maintain individualized degree plans.
Assist with transcript evaluations for prospective students and provide program-specific guidance regarding how prior coursework applies to program requirements.
Monitor student progress throughout the academic year and establish ongoing communication with students to identify barriers, address concerns, and support timely program completion.
Monitor student progress toward licensure, endorsement, and certification requirements and collaborate with the Office of Certification, Career Services, Assessment, and Placement to ensure requirements are understood and addressed before program completion.
Coordinate with program directors and appropriate university offices to respond to student concerns and connect students with academic and student support resources.
Partner with the Department Chair and program directors to develop and implement proactive student communication and retention strategies.
Collaborate with campus partners, including the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Educational Support Services, and Housing, to resolve student needs and support academic success.
Maintain accurate and timely records of advising interactions, degree plans, course registration, academic standing, anticipated graduation dates, and other student progress information.
Provide regular updates to program directors regarding student progress, advising trends, and emerging student needs.
Provide project coordination support for Graduate Studies in Education (GSE) programs, ensuring program activities and processes are completed accurately and timely.
Coordinate with program directors and appropriate university offices regarding scholarship application and award processes.
Track modifications to program plans through university-wide approval processes, such as GECCo, as needed.
Coordinate with the International Education Center and International Admissions to support compliance and oversight of Curricular Practical Training for international students.
Coordinate with program directors and Student Financial Services to support federally required attendance verification and Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) documentation for each term.
Assist program directors with collecting, organizing, and maintaining data for annual reporting, including program assessment, strategic enrollment, and program effectiveness activities.
Gather and communicate student and alumni feedback and collaborate with program directors and the Department Chair to identify opportunities for program improvement and student success.
Participate actively in program-specific, GSE team, and School of Education meetings and contribute to discussions regarding program operations, student needs, and continuous improvement.
Maintain current knowledge of and adhere to university-wide and GSE/School of Education policies and procedures, particularly those involving Academic Affairs, Student Financial Services, the Registrar, and other related departments.
Coordinate the planning and implementation of GSE program-specific and GSE-wide events, including interviews, orientations, trainings, conferences, institutes, professional development, and partnership events.
Manage event logistics, including registration, event webpages, communications, event checklists, guest speaker support, materials, and coordination with campus and external partners.
Coordinate event-related budgets, expenditures, and administrative processes in accordance with university policies and established program budgets.
Provide staff support at graduate commencement and other major School of Education events as needed.
Serve as a program resource to Graduate Enrollment Services (GES), providing accurate and timely information regarding GSE programs, program requirements, certification pathways, and other program-specific questions.
Collaborate with GES and GSE program directors to ensure program information communicated to prospective students is accurate, current, and consistent with approved program requirements.
Collaborate with GSE staff and program directors to review program websites and identify needed updates to ensure information is accurate and current.
Coordinate with GSE staff, program directors, and appropriate campus partners regarding program marketing materials and promotional items, including inventory, ordering, and updates.
Provide program information, student accomplishments, and other content to support GSE and School of Education communications, newsletters, social media, and other promotional efforts.
Support communication of program changes and updates to GES and other campus partners as appropriate.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the mission and operational needs of the School of Education.