Assistant Director for Retention

Universities of Wisconsin•La Crosse, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Retention reports to the Director of Multicultural Student Services and leads holistic advising practices, academic and financial retention outreach and programs, and assessment of retention initiatives centered on student success and informed by expertise in multiculturalism and social identities. The role supervises two Retention Specialists who provide academic programs and services supporting student success. The Assistant Director oversees the Partners in Residence Initiative, the AERIE living/learning community, the UW System Wisconsin Tuition Promise, and assists with an emerging learning community. The position works with campus departments and community partners to support students’ persistence through graduation, particularly underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, transfer, and multicultural students. It also coordinates retention strategies, develops and assesses programs, and collaborates with Institutional Research to evaluate retention efforts and improve retention and graduation outcomes. The position requires occasional weekend and evening work and travel. The role is based in Multicultural Student Services at UW-La Crosse. Compensation is $60,000 per year. The university does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least four years of full-time experience in a higher education setting or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience working with higher education student populations through program development, implementation, and assessment.
Experience or demonstrated ability to work with low-income, first-generation, transfer, and multicultural students in an educational setting.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively to develop partnerships with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
Experience advising student groups.
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Legal authorization to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout the employment term.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs and Administration, Leadership, or a closely related field.
Experience coordinating marketing and communication strategies and working with internal and external project stakeholders.
Knowledge and application of student development and learning theory in developing policies and procedures that support student success.
Direct experience leading activities that promote multiculturalism or working with multicultural student groups.
Experience managing or supervising professional and/or student staff.
Strong computer proficiency with Workday, Canvas, and Navigate.

Responsibilities

Lead holistic advising practices and academic and financial retention outreach and programs.
Assess retention program initiatives and use findings to support student success.
Supervise, hire, train, onboard, evaluate, and conduct developmental performance reviews for two full-time professional Retention Specialists.
Oversee the Partners in Residence Initiative, AERIE living/learning community, and UW System Wisconsin Tuition Promise, and assist with an emerging learning community.
Work with academic colleges and departments to advise students facing academic, financial, or social challenges and make referrals as needed.
Serve as a liaison to the UW-La Crosse Financial Aid office and meet regularly with Financial Aid staff about regulations, policies, and financial opportunities.
Coordinate academic and financial retention practices and training for Multicultural Student Services staff.
Direct and assign staff to work with early-alert students and meet regularly with students in advising caseloads, on academic probation, academically ineligible, or seeking to reenter the university.
Ensure record keeping and use of EAB Navigate to track appointments, student progress, and campaigns.
Develop and facilitate high-impact programs and services related to student retention and graduation.
Provide intrusive academic advising to participants in high-impact programs and students on academic progress, suspension, warning, or probation.
Create retention programming that promotes student engagement, learning, leadership, and mentorship.
Identify student needs and develop strategies to improve academic success and progress for probationary, transfer, and new or continuing students.
Support recruitment and retention of a diverse student population and lead development of living and learning programs.
Build relationships with campus departments to develop academic and career-related programs that support student persistence through graduation.
Collaborate with campus partners on support initiatives involving financial aid, graduate preparation, mental health awareness, and other retention-related services.
Establish methods and plans to assess the quality and outcomes of internal high-impact retention programs.
Oversee program implementation and assist with assessment of AERIE and Wisconsin Tuition Promise, reviewing findings annually.
Coordinate transition and retention strategies that address differences in student attrition and retention.
Work with Institutional Research to collect data, assess retention efforts, and develop measurable strategies, learning outcomes, and action plans for key student cohorts.
Assess campus life and recommend appropriate solutions to address student concerns.
Serve on university committees and perform other duties as assigned.