Retention and Student Development Professional

University of Colorado • Colorado Springs, CO

5d • $46,077 - $59,454 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Retention and Student Development Professional to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success. At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle. This position is funded by a US Department of Education TRiO Student Support Services grant awarded September 2025 and is contingent upon availability of continued annual funding for an estimated five years. The Retention & Student Development Program Manager for the UCCS TRiO Student Support Services Program is responsible for coordinating all student programming, mentoring, and academic support tracking to ensure objectives are met for this U.S. Department of Education grant-funded program. In collaboration with the Project Director, this role is responsible for supporting strong student engagement and delivering holistic and effective support services to 140 eligible college students with a range of academic needs, who are first-generation, low-income students and/or have a disability. This position supervises and oversees the work of two part-time Graduate Assistants in specific areas of peer advocacy and student data tracking, to support student retention, development, and persistence and the SSS Project’s collection, documentation, compilation, reporting, and use of data to drive continuous improvement in SSS Project outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, student affairs in higher education, social work, or related field from an accredited college/university is required.
• Experience providing advising, mentoring, or academic support focusing on student success and retention is required.
• Experience supervising student and/or professional staff is required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, student affairs in higher education, social work, or related field from an accredited college/university is required.
• Experience working with low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities who are academically under-prepared is preferred.
• Experience developing effective advising and mentoring relationships with students is preferred.
• Experience presenting or teaching groups of students is preferred.
• Experience coordinating and tracking student referrals to campus resources is preferred.
• Experience gathering, analyzing, and interpreting programmatic data is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, oversee, and facilitate summer transitional orientation and assist with planning for Intensive Summer Bridge GPS first year seminar course for incoming SSS students
• Coordinate and present workshops on academic, social, financial, and emotional support topics for students
• Supervise Peer Advocate Graduate Assistant in the coordination of the Peer Advocate program for first year, sophomore, and new transfer students
• Supervise Student Retention & Data Graduate Assistant in coordination of tracking student usage of campus resources
• Provide academic and career advising, assistance with the financial aid process, and Academic Success Plan development to a caseload of approximately 60 SSS students
• Develop effective collaborative relationships with campus partners and maintain communication about programmatic and referral resource updates
• Assist with screening and selection of program participants
• Collaborate with the Project Director to implement the grant
• Compile data for weekly, monthly, and annual Project reports, using Student Access or similar database, ensuring that student data files are complete and up to date
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail twelve waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees