Assistant Director for Retention

University of Wisconsin Stout•La Crosse, WI

About The Position

The Assistant Director (AD) of Retention reports to the Director of Multicultural Student Services. The AD leads holistic advising practices, academic and financial retention outreach and programs, and assessment of retention initiatives focused on student success, drawing on expertise in multiculturalism and social identities. The position supervises two Retention Specialists who provide academic programs and services supporting student success. The AD 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 role works with campus departments and partners to support students’ persistence through graduation, especially underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, transfer, and multicultural students. The position is in Multicultural Student Services at UW-La Crosse. Occasional weekend and evening work and travel are required. The annual compensation is $60,000. Applications received by November 23, 2026, receive priority consideration; review continues until the position is filled. Initial interviews are virtual, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. UW-La Crosse does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 4 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.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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 stakeholders on projects.
Knowledge and application of student development and learning theory to advance policies and procedures supporting student success.
Direct experience leading and executing 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.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

Work with academic colleges and departments to advise students facing academic, financial, or social challenges and make referrals that support persistence through graduation.
Serve as a liaison to the Financial Aid office and meet regularly with staff to stay informed about regulations, policies, satisfactory academic progress, and financial opportunities.
Coordinate academic and financial retention practices and training for Multicultural Student Services staff.
Direct and assign staff to work with students identified through early alerts, and meet with students in advising caseloads, on academic probation or ineligibility, or seeking to reenter the university.
Maintain student records and use EAB Navigate to track appointments, progress, and campaigns.
Develop and facilitate high-impact programs and services related to student retention and graduation.
Provide intrusive academic advising to student populations, including participants in high-impact programs and students on academic progress plans, suspension, warning, or probation.
Create student engagement opportunities that advance learning, leadership, or mentorship through retention programming.
Identify student needs and develop solutions that support academic success and progress for probationary, transfer, and new or continuing students.
Support recruitment and retention of a diverse student population and provide leadership in developing living and learning programs.
Increase access, outreach, retention, and success for underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income students and students with intersecting identities.
Build relationships with campus departments to develop academic and career-related programs that support persistence through graduation.
Collaborate with campus partners on support initiatives, including financial aid, graduate preparation, and mental health awareness.
Oversee hiring, training, evaluation, onboarding, supervision, and developmental performance reviews for two full-time professional Retention Specialists.
Establish assessment methods and ongoing efforts to evaluate the quality, outcomes, and effectiveness of internal high-impact retention programs.
Oversee program implementation and assist with assessment reviews for AERIE and the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, evaluating findings annually.
Coordinate transition and retention strategies that address differences in student attrition and retention.
Work with Institutional Research to develop data collection, evaluation, and assessment strategies, measurable strategies, learning outcomes, and action plans for key student cohorts to improve retention and graduation rates.
Assess the quality of campus life for students and recommend solutions to address campus life issues.
Serve on university committees and perform other duties consistent with the unit and divisional mission and values.