Indiana University · 1 day ago
Associate Director of Retention Systems and Outreach (Student Retention Specialist)
Indiana University is seeking an Associate Director of Retention Systems and Outreach in the College of Arts and Sciences. This role focuses on enhancing student retention and success through data analysis, outreach, and collaboration with various departments to support at-risk students and improve graduation rates.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Responsible for data and outreach
Focuses on creating and managing the office's data needs
Provides expert analysis of data related to student retention and success in order to establish strategic goals, with special attention to 1st- to 3rd-semester retention and 4-year and 6-year graduation rates
Researches current student success trends and tools and recommends strategies and initiatives that support the College's efforts to increase student success, retention, and timely degree completion
Analyzes historical data and identifies indicators that suggest that a student needs outreach and/or intervention to enhance their student experience at Indiana University (IU) and keep them on pace to graduation
Uses data to develop campaigns and lead outreach efforts to students who are academically at risk
Applies comprehensive knowledge and understanding of retention strategies and skill in assisting students in developing strategic decision-making skills
Counsels students about the nature and content of a liberal arts education and major fit and develops strategies to identify and meet student academic and personal needs
Connects students to appropriate College and campus resources in response to factors that have impacted academic performance
Identifies areas of advising concern and barriers that impact student success and persistence and proposes solutions for resolving issues/removing barriers
Develops training programs and conducts interventions that support the undergraduate educational mission of the University and that enhance the performance, retention, and graduation rates of students in the College
Works with the Undergraduate Retention and Student Success team to improve collaboration with other student-facing offices in the College and University, such as academic advisors, on targeted areas related to undergraduate student success and retention
Considers with impartial compassion student petitions based on College policies and resolves complex student issues equitably
Applies advanced problem-solving skills and exercises sound judgement to determine when exceptions are appropriate, understanding that they can be precedent-setting
Applies comprehensive knowledge of College and University policies and procedures for appeals at various levels and provides guidance to faculty, staff, and students regarding these processes
Serves on campus committees related to areas of expertise
Liaises with other College and campus partners and programs working toward student success, retention, and 4-year graduation goals, including 21st Century Scholars, as well as other groups and populations
Develops and distributes reports of enrollment, year-over-year retention, progress toward degree completion, and graduation for distribution to leaders in enrollment management and across various student services functions
Maintains historical reports for trend analysis and benchmarking
Serves on committees and works collaboratively with other student services staff to maintain an understanding of the full student life-cycle and typical barriers to retention, degree completion, and graduation
Develops and implements retention programs, initiatives, and targeted communications to improve student enrollment and retention outcomes
Performs targeted outreach and interacts directly with at-risk students, connecting them with resources to navigate barriers to completion
Evaluates enrollment data to determine the effectiveness of current enrollment processes; liaises with and serves as a resource for academic departments, offices, programs, and schools across campus to develop and realize enrollment goals
Determines enrollment demand and mechanisms for maximizing enrollment capacity for specific courses and may make recommendations to appropriate registrar and academic representatives on future course offerings
Performs industry research and makes recommendations for process improvements in line with industry best practices
May provide guidance to lower-level Student Retention Specialists
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, or related field
5 years in enrollment management, admissions, student services, higher education, or related field
Proficient in written and verbal communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Highly thorough and dependable
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Commitment to working with people of different backgrounds
Ability to interpret federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations
Preferred
Master's degree in a liberal arts discipline
5 years professional experience in an advising and/or administrative role in a university setting
Experience using data to make recommendations for action in a higher-education context
Solid grounding in liberal arts and sciences
Experience with IU information systems, including student information system (SIS), Stellic, IU Information Environment (IUIE) reports, and Tableau
Proficiency in structured query language (SQL) and Power BI
Advanced proficiency in creating and managing spreadsheets in Excel
Successful interpersonal skills, sound judgment, discretion, and considerable tact
Ability to maintain sympathetic impartiality in resolving disputes
Innovative and creative thinking to respond to changing demands and conditions to support student success, retention, and persistence
Ability to work independently to move data and outreach projects forward while contributing to team responsibilities
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Company
Indiana University
Indiana University looked for ways to promote innovation while assisting students in building better futures.
H1B Sponsorship
Indiana University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
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2025 (187)
2024 (146)
2023 (127)
2022 (119)
2021 (81)
2020 (79)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Recent News
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