Retention Specialist - 3516

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.

The Striving Towards Academic Retention and Success ( STARS) project is funded by Native American-serving, nontribal institutions ( NASNTI) program from 2021-2026. The goal of the STARS project is to provide innovative and high-quality student support services that enhance the campus experience and create an environment where specialized and underserved student populations can flourish and succeed. This position will assist the STARS project in meeting its objectives by increasing persistence to graduation of American Indian students, low-income students, and transfer students.

The Retention Specialist will deliver comprehensive specialized services to increase retention, progression, completion, and time-to-degree of UNCP students.

As a member of the University College's degree completion team, the Retention Specialist position will primarily serve three distinct student populations: 1) students who have stopped out, 2) students who are not making progress towards degree and are in danger of stopping out, and 3) special students (non-degree, transient, second degree, etc.). 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.

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 adult learners, first year, and at risk student populations.

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.