Retention Specialist - 3517 (STARS Grant)

Established in 1887 as a school for the education of American Indians, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke serves a distinctly diverse student body and encourages inclusion and appreciation of the values of all people. Located in the heart of Pembroke, N.C., UNCP boasts an enrollment of 7,500 in 41 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs and offers a personalized learning environment where faculty and staff are dedicated to engaged scholarship, high academic standards, creative activity, and public service. Spread over 281 acres, the campus offers a sense of community and belonging-–a place where faculty and staff feel supported, take pride in the university’s mission, and are devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference in their communities.

As a member of the University College’s degree completion team, the Retention Specialist position will primarily serve two student populations: 1) students who have stopped out, and 2) students not making progress towards degree and are in danger of stopping out. Specifically, the Retention Specialist will have a dual role in providing outreach to students to encourage re-enrollment and once enrolled to provide holistic case management to complete their degree. In the process of encouraging students to re-enroll and complete their education, the Retention Specialist will identify the barriers that previously impacted the student’s persistence and assist the student with eliminating these barriers. The Retention Specialist will also provide holistic case management to students who enroll; tracking student academic progress and proactively intervening as necessary.

The Retention Specialist will provide academic counseling regarding course selection, degree options, and strategies to improve academic performance. The Retention Specialist will also serve as a resource, connecting students to academic support, advising, career advising, financial aid, health & wellness services, and providing them with the information they need to be informed on the support services they can utilize. In conjunction with other campus partners, the Retention Specialist facilitates degree completion, often through assisting students to remove barriers to finishing their degrees, and by assisting in the development of tailored pathways to graduation, when appropriate. The position also assists stopped-out students who are near graduation to develop completion plans. Additionally, the position will provide academic advising during peak registration periods to support retention, persistence, and completion, by identifying students who are not registered for classes in the following term.

Review of applications will begin immediately.

Please note that this is a grant-funded, time-limited position through September 30, 2026.

Minimum Training and Experience Requirements:  Master’s Degree preferred or a Bachelor’s Degree and at least two years of experience working with high school and/or college age students. 

Management Preferences:  Earned degree in counseling, social work, higher education, student development, or related field. Experience working with students in student success, advising, or related areas. Experience with or demonstrated understanding of the specific developmental needs of first year, at risk, and diverse student populations.

Special Instructions to Applicants:  This position is subject to the successful completion of an employment background check. An employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, reference checks, license verification (if applicable) and credit history check (if applicable). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 as a part of the online application process.

UNC Pembroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their age, race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. UNC Pembroke is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.