Department Summary:

The Office of Access & Success provides the tools and support Drake University students need to be the best they can be academically. This includes academic coaching, accessibility services, tutoring, and other forms of support. Learn more about Access & Success at https://www.drake.edu/access-success/ .

Job Summary:

The Student Success Data & Systems Manager supports institutional student success initiatives through the administration, optimization, and assessment of student success technologies and related data systems. This position serves as the primary administrator for student success platforms including Starfish and Handshake and assists in the development of student success reporting, retention analysis, communication strategies, and coordinated care initiatives.
The manager collaborates with academic affairs, student affairs, advising, career services, institutional research, and other campus partners to support data-informed decision-making, improve student success operations, and advance institutional persistence, engagement, and post-graduate success efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience with data analysis, reporting, or systems administration
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex information to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across departments
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data/reporting tools

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, educational leadership, analytics, information systems, or related field
• Experience working in higher education, student success, advising, career services, or institutional research
• Experience with student success platforms such as Starfish, Handshake, EAB Navigate, CRM systems, or related technologies
• Experience with reporting and visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, SQL, or similar platforms
• Knowledge of retention, persistence, advising, and coordinated care models
• Experience with assessment, survey administration, or student success analytics

Job Duties:

• 35% - Student Success Systems Administration — • Manage daily administration, maintenance, and optimization of student success systems, such as Starfish and Handshake • Coordinate system updates, testing, enhancements, and implementation of new features • Provide user support, troubleshooting, and training for faculty, staff, and students • Develop and maintain documentation and campus procedures related to system use • Monitor system utilization and recommend improvements to increase effectiveness and engagement • Collaborate with campus partners and vendors regarding integrations, upgrades, and functionality • Support administration of the First Destination Survey and related career outcomes reporting • Assist in the development of coordinated care and intervention workflows within student success systems.
• 30% - Student Success Analytics & Reporting — • Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and data visualizations related to retention, persistence, progression, and student engagement • Assist with development and refinement of institutional retention and persistence models • Identify trends, equity gaps, and areas of opportunity through analysis of student success data • Support proactive monitoring efforts related to student outreach, intervention effectiveness, and student engagement indicators • Analyze utilization and effectiveness of student success initiatives, campaigns, and support services.
• 25% - Communication, Collaboration, & Special Projects — • Prepare reports, presentations, summaries, and communication materials for campus stakeholders and leadership • Translate complex data into accessible and actionable information for diverse audiences • Assist in developing recommendations related to student success strategies, interventions, and operational improvements • Contribute to campus conversations related to student success metrics, initiatives, and coordinated care efforts • Assist with implementation of student success initiatives, outreach campaigns, and retention efforts • Support special projects related to persistence, engagement, and student success operations • Participate in student success committees, working groups, and planning initiatives • Contribute to development of coordinated student support and communication strategies • Perform other duties as assigned in support of institutional student success goals.
• 10% - Research, Assessment, & Best Practices — • Research emerging best practices in student success, advising, retention, career readiness, and coordinated care models • Monitor national trends and innovations in student success technologies and analytics • Benchmark institutional practices against peer and aspirational institutions • Share findings, recommendations, and opportunities with campus stakeholders • Support continuous improvement initiatives through assessment and evaluation • Participate in relevant professional development opportunities, conferences, and professional organizations.