Student Support Services Retention Specialist

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

About The Position

The Retention Specialist for TRIO Student Support Services Classic & STEM program is a federally funded position through the US Department of Education. This role provides academic support and coaching, mentoring, and advising for students from first-generation, low-income, and disability backgrounds. The activities include providing wrap-around student support services for first-year, continuing, and transfer students in areas such as college transition, academic success, financial education, career and leadership development, graduate school preparation, and connection/community support. A holistic approach is used to serve students throughout their entire CSU journey, promoting retention and graduation. This position also supports the new student recruitment process, including conducting interviews and intake appointments. Additional duties involve serving on Academic Advancement Center (AAC) and CSU-wide planning committees and supporting students during travel opportunities. This position reports to the Associate Director of the Student Support Services Programs within the AAC. It is a grant-funded appointment ending August 31, 2027, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and ongoing funding.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with 1 year of employment experience in K-12 education, higher education, or college access programs.
Demonstrated experience delivering direct, individualized (one-on-one) and group support to students, focusing on student success, retention, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with diverse student populations and their support networks.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain productivity in an environment with competing priorities and minimal supervision.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with strict discretion and emotional intelligence.
Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education, counseling or related field.
Experience in program coordination, leadership, or progressively responsible work within a college access or student success framework.
Experience working with TRIO or similar college access programs, academic advising, or career counseling.
Experience advising, counseling, teaching, or supervising individuals from historically minoritized communities.
Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution, creative problem-solving, and independent decision-making.
Strong organization and administrative skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching others, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of mutual accountability.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

Provide holistic student success coaching by managing an assigned caseload and delivering individualized support that promotes students' academic achievement, personal development, persistence, and graduation.
Assess student needs and coordinate interventions by identifying barriers to success, connecting students with campus and community resources, and serving as an advocate to help students navigate university systems.
Respond to complex student situations by providing timely support, crisis response, and referrals while maintaining professional boundaries and coordinating care with appropriate campus partners.
Maintain student records and ensure compliance by documenting student interactions, tracking progress, utilizing student success data, and adhering to university policies, and applicable federal and grant regulations.
Develop and facilitate student engagement opportunities by planning and implementing workshops, cohort experiences, and community-building activities that foster belonging, leadership, and student success.
Collaborate within the Academic Advancement Center (AAC) and Community for Excellence (C4E) Network by partnering with colleagues across multiple scholarship and student success programs to provide coordinated, student-centered services.
Build and sustain campus partnerships by collaborating with academic and administrative units to strengthen student support systems, improve resource access, and advance institutional student success initiatives.
Perform other related duties as assigned in support of departmental, divisional, and university priorities.
Support the new student recruitment process, including conducting interviews and intake appointments for new students.
Serve on Academic Advancement Center (AAC) and CSU-wide planning committees.
Support students during travel opportunities.