Working/Functional Title

Access and Retention Specialist

Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic work environment where individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The Office of Institutional Access (OIA) in the College of Social Science Dean’s Office seeks an Access and Retention Specialist. This position will collaborate with unit, college, and university student support and advising offices to increase support for students who have been historically underserved, have limited resources, and face opportunity gaps, including but not limited to Pell-eligible and first-generation students. The specialist will increase the retention of underserved students for the College of Social Science. Additionally, the specialist will help build a new fresh start and first-generation student program. This position focuses on managing collaborative engagement with students, promoting inclusion, retention, persistence, and student success through proactive interactions and academic interventions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Student Support and Retention: Provide guidance and resources to improve student retention and success.
2. Academic and Holistic Support: Deliver comprehensive support services addressing student well-being.
3. Data Collection and Analysis: Track and analyze student progress to inform interventions and program improvements.
4. Program Development and Coordination: Design, implement, and oversee programs aimed at enhancing student outcomes.
5. Collaborative Outreach: Partner with campus and community stakeholders to support student success initiatives.
6. Professional Development and Training: Facilitate training for staff, faculty, and graduate student Teaching Assistants on best practices for student retention and support.
7. Policy Development and Advocacy: Advocate for policies that promote equitable access and retention for all students.
8. Represent OIA in collaboration with the College of Social Science Undergraduate Education Office for purposes of student retention.
9. Enhance the quality of students’ academic experiences through effective communication with individuals and groups from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Advising

• Student Support and Retention Initiatives:
  • Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive and proactive student retention strategies, advising, and mentoring programs, particularly for underrepresented student populations that face opportunity gaps.
  • Collaborate with academic advisors, faculty, graduate student teaching assistants, and staff to identify students who need additional academic or personal support, ensuring early intervention and consistent follow-up.
  • Coordinate mentoring and peer support programs, including the creation of a new Fresh Start program for students on pre-, academic probation, and post probation and the new First GEN program for first-generation students.
  • Work collaboratively with college advisors and units across the campus, including the Office of Undergraduate Education (e.g., Undergraduate Student Success, Pathway Programs, CAMP, Undergraduate Research), FAME, Spartan One Stop, and other units/committees dedicated to student success.
  • Collaborate with Student Success in providing access and retention programs like transition services for new students, tutoring, study skills workshops, and other academic enrichment initiatives.
• Policy Development and Advocacy:
  • Contribute to the development of policies and procedures that enhance access, equity, and student success across the College of Social Science.
  • Serve as an advocate for underrepresented students, ensuring that their voices are included in college-level decisions related to student support services.
• Data Collection and Analysis:
  • Monitor and analyze retention rates and key performance indicators for diverse student groups.
  • Utilize data to identify challenges to persistence and design initiatives, policies, and programs to address these barriers, fostering greater student retention and success.
  • Provide regular reports to the Office of Institutional Access and college leadership, making data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Understand, interpret, and implement university academic policies and procedures.
• Utilize student information systems (to gather data on students and track progress on key metrics)

Curriculum Development

• Academic and Holistic Support:
  • Work with departments to create access and academic support plans tailored to students' needs, addressing issues such as financial literacy, food and housing insecurity, and work-life balance.
  • Develop partnerships with campus and community organizations to provide resources that assist students facing economic, social, and personal challenges.
  • Work with faculty and the college's academic units to promote inclusive classroom practices that enhance student success and engagement.
• Program Development and Coordination
• Partner with Student Success to design and facilitate workshops, seminars, and events that promote inclusion, academic success, and personal development for minoritized and first-generation students.
• Professional Development and Training:
  • Offer professional development opportunities for faculty, graduate student teaching assistants, and staff on topics related to student access, retention, and support for diverse populations.
  • Stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in student retention and access programs in higher education.
  • Develop and facilitate cultural competency training for new and current advisors.

Other

• Collaborate with leadership to formulate strategies and initiatives that address retention and completion goals in the short and long term, with particular focus on closing opportunity gaps.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation.

 Collaboration and Reporting:

• Inform the Associate/Assistant Dean about student or program-related concerns in a timely manner.
• Participate in OIA events and represent OIA at college, university, and community events.
• Work with the College of Social Science Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and the Director of Student Success to engage campus partners, evaluate impact, and generate reports.
• This position reports to the Associate Dean.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Student affairs, higher education, counseling, social work, or other related field.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, social work, or other related field.
• 4+ years of experience in academic advising, student recruitment, student retention, student services administration, or other related experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to and support of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and the mission and purpose of Michigan State University.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of undergraduate student success concepts, theories, and practices.
• Experience with learning outcomes assessment and strong data analysis and management skills.
• Experience conducting work to close opportunity gaps in higher education
• Experience with financial literacy, addressing food and housing insecurity
• Ability to develop trust, rapport, and positive working relationships with diverse students, staff, and faculty of varying needs.
• Excellent interpersonal, written communication, public speaking, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Strong time management skills and proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms.
• Ability to problem-solve independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to interpret and implement academic policies to benefit historically underserved students.
• Experience providing trainings, overseeing programming and student engagement initiatives for higher education professionals and students.

Required Application Materials

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest in and preparation for the position.
2. Resume/CV
3. A one-page written statement outlining your views and commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how those views and commitments would impact your work as an Access and Retention Specialist.

Special Instructions

For more information, please contact Victoria Pierce, DEI Office Manager at malkow14@msu.edu.

Review of Applications Begins On

11/18/2024

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.