Director of Retention, Completion, and Transitions

Director of Retention, Completion, and Transitions

About Susquehanna:
As a living, learning and working community, Susquehanna University affirms its commitment to being an engaged, culturally inclusive campus. As we seek to embody the rich diversity of the human community, we commit ourselves to the full participation of persons who represent the breadth of human difference. The university encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Susquehanna University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Susquehanna University is a national liberal arts college committed to excellence in educating students for productive, creative and reflective lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world. Its more than 2,300 undergraduates come from 35 states and 22 countries, and all students study away through Susquehanna’s unique Global Opportunities program. Susquehanna University’s 325 acre campus, noted for its beauty, is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 50 miles north of Harrisburg in the scenic Susquehanna River Valley, about a three hour drive from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City. For more information, please visit https://www.susqu.edu.

Position Summary:
The Director of Retention, Completions, and Transitions reports to the Provost. The Director develops and executes retention strategies to increase the student educational experience and graduation rates at Susquehanna University. The Director focuses on students at risk of leaving the institution and those who have taken a leave of absence or been academically suspended but wish to return, including transfer students. The Director overseas the work of the Persistence Taskforce, effectively communicates processes and expectations directly with individual students and through passive programming, and develops and facilitates training to help other constituents support students in these populations. The position also assists Center for Academic Success staff with developing and managing retention and academic support initiatives by managing a student caseload, addressing student needs who have concerns, and working with students transitioning in and out of the institution.

Specific Responsibilities

• Coordinate with CAS's learning support specialist academic support services for students struggling with study skills, time management, and other learning related needs.
• Conduct exit interviews of leaving students, communicate regularly with withdrawn and suspended students, and onboard returning students.
• Provide referrals to support services within the university as well as the local community.
• Collect, evaluate, and record information about students and monitor unresponsive students to update the student support services. Provide regular updates to Senior Leaders and prepare summative and formative reports related to student success milestones
• Create and implement communication plans to students academically at-risk, utilizing social media and other effective delivery methods.
• Collaborate with the relevant offices to develop programs and services to counsel, advise and provide guidance to students and collaborate with department chairs, faculty, and advisors to develop, update, and implement targeted interventions to increase student retention and success.
• Serves as a member of the Concern, Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) team member
• Oversee the work of the Persistence Task Force
  
• Evaluate current retention activities and recommend appropriate strategies and resources necessary to achieve increased student retention and graduation rates.
• Assist Senior Director of the Center for Academic Success on the EAB Leadership team to oversee the implementation of EAB Navigate across various offices and functions.
• Developing and implementing a data-driven assessment plan to regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of retention activities and recommend changes as necessary. Identify areas to investigate potential barriers to student success.
• Educate faculty and staff regarding best practices for identifying and supporting students who are struggling academically and provide a student-centered solutions which promotes student success, retention, and college completion..
• Collaborate and maintain successful partnerships with faculty and staff.
• Counsel students who are at risk for dropping out of college.
  
  Required Qualifications:
  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
  Knowledge of current issues and emerging trends regarding persistence and retention of a diverse student population, including first-generation college students and students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Knowledge of online student success software and assistive technology. Strong analytical skills to evaluate internal and external data in decision-making. Ability to manage multiple tasks; skills in written and verbal communication, including formal presentation to groups, demonstrations to individual faculty and staff, and directing student clients; ability to maintain confidentiality and understand related regulations (e.g., FERPA); and capable of maintaining attention to detail and professional interactions. The ability to work collaboratively across multiple constituencies to sustain student success.
  
  Physical Demand
  Position requires the ability to be stationary for extended periods of time. Position requires the ability to move about the campus and to effectively deliver and receive instruction. Position requires occasional stooping, crouching and bending, occasional manual dexterity, and the ability to use fingers, hands, and arms to feel, handle and reach with accommodations as necessary. Working conditions are primarily indoors.
  Education
  Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs/Higher Education Administration or related fields required. Three to five years of experience in college-level student affairs and/or academic support.
  
  Experience
  Demonstrated experience in academic support services, working with diverse student populations with a wide range of identities and backgrounds. Ability to identify trends in retention strategies with specific focus on data trends, analysis, and relevant retention initiatives.
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  Three to five years of experience in college-level student affairs and/or academic support preferred.
  
  
  
  Special Instructions to the Applicant:
  
  
  Benefits Eligible: Yes
  Number of Months: 12 months
  Other Number of Months:
  Full-Time/Part-Time:
  Work Schedule/Hours per Week:
  Posting Date:
  Closing Date:
  Open Until Filled: No
  Anticipated Start Date:
  Posting Number: AH00906
  
  To apply, visit https://jobs.susqu.edu/postings/2910