Parent/Student Advocate & Retention Specialist

Angola, Indiana

Full-time

Summary

The Advocate/Retention Specialist provides support services for students to promote retention and

academic/personal success. The Advocate/Retention Specialist will connect students with a variety of student success resources to ensure progression towards graduation goals; establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with various university constituents including the academic departments, dean of students, campus safety, housing and residence life, student health center, academic success and other relevant departments. The Advocate/Retention Specialist will serve as the point of contact for parents in regards to student success and retention efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides guidance to students to help alleviate obstacles to academic/personal success.
• Performs targeted outreach to identify and interact directly with at-risk students, connecting them with resources to navigate berries to completion.
• Manages the WeCare Early Alert System to provide proactive student support.
• Serves as part of a Student Success team that bridges support and services across academic advising, admissions, and program operations.
• Supports diversity and inclusion efforts focused on creating more equitable environments and systems across Trine University programs, policies, and services
• Acts as a liaison for other units of the university and community as it relates to student retention and success.
• Serves as an advocate for students with solving issues that arise which impact academic goals and attendance.
• Serves as a contact for parents seeking advocacy resources regarding student success and well-being.
• Partners with faculty, staff and administration in identifying trends and researching best practices in student retention.
• Participates in the retention and strategic planning processes of the institution.
• Manages the retention budget, including expenditures, requests for aid and student assistance.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality regarding documents, records and other matters involving students.
• Maintains visibility and accessibility for all students and parents.
• Participates as a member of the Assessment Care Team (ACT).
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree is required. Substantial student life or student success experience is preferred.

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

  • Knowledge of student affairs, student life experiences, college curricula, university resources and facilities, and student success principles.
  • Knowledge of community resources
  • Ability to relate closely to students from different educational, economic, and social backgrounds, understand their needs and develop plans to meet those needs.
  • Ability to listen, encourage, and motivate students and families.
  • Ability to apply critical thinking skills and provide solutions to problems that have impacted a student’s ability to be successful in school.
  • Ability to make resource recommendations in a timely, appropriate, and considerate manner.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and responsibilities.

Benefits

Trine University offers a comprehensive benefit package designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Benefits offered include:

• Health – medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, flex spending or HSA accounts
• Retirement – after one year of full-time service you are eligible for employer contribution of 5% and up to an additional 5% employer match
• Life Insurance – a variety of voluntary life options are available along with employee life insurance (1½ times annual salary)
• Education – after 6 months of full-time service education benefits are available for employee, spouse, and dependent children
• Vacation and Sick Pay – in accordance with Trine's policy

Salary

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Trine University is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, genetic information, citizenship status, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law, unless such basis constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification. Trine will comply with its legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs.