Assistant Director, Retention - #270020

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University is seeking an Assistant Director, Retention in Cullowhee, NC to lead data-driven retention initiatives within the Office of Student Retention. The role partners with colleges, student affairs, and support units to coordinate programs and drive persistence and degree completion.

The position emphasizes analytics, coaching, and collaboration, with responsibilities spanning assessment, student coaching, and office operations to support underrepresented and at-risk

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or related field.
• 2 years of experience in education supporting students or related roles.
• Experience using data analytics to design and assess student interventions.
• Experience supporting diverse student populations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Data-Driven Analysis & Assessment - Collaborate with Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness for analysis and assessment of programming and interventions.
• Recovery and Persistence Outreach - Provide individualized academic coaching to students and support persistence.
• Office duties - assist with academic standing, appeals, term withdrawals, and re-admission after suspension/dismissal; coordinate student workers at the front desk.

Skills

Data analytics

Interpersonal/communication

Organization

Project management

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education or related field

Tools

EAB Navigate

Ellucian Banner Student

Job description

Assistant Director, Retention - #270020

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Office of Student Retention implements targeted student success interventions that are guided by evidence-based practices and institutional data and analytics.

The Assistant Director will champion these efforts for the entire department helping to coordinate the programmatic needs of the OSR. This position is a dynamic, bridge-building position that works to unify the efforts of the many retention programs at WCU while leading data and assessment efforts for the unit and supporting transfer students.

Responsibilities include:

• Data-Driven Analysis & Assessment - Collaborate with Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness for analysis and assessment of programming and interventions for continuous improvement; will work with the Director to identify and assess the programs in the OSR and retention data. Specifically, this role will work with each program to help create quality assessments that tell the story of retention at WCU.
• Recovery and Persistence Outreach - Provide individualized academic success coaching to students, empowering students to develop strategies that support academic achievement, continued enrollment, and timely degree completion. Partner with students experiencing academic challenges or barriers to success to identify goals, build resilience, and create action plans that promote academic and personal growth. Coach students navigating academic standing concerns, including those returning to the University following academic suspension or dismissal, by fostering self-reflection, accountability, and effective decision-making. Deliver proactive, student-centered coaching to students exhibiting academic, engagement, or persistence indicators associated with increased risk of attrition, as well as those within the "murky middle" who may benefit from additional support despite not meeting traditional high-risk criteria.
• Office duties - assist with academic standing, appeals, term withdrawals, and re-admission after suspension/dismissal. This position will also coordinate student workers at the front desk.

The candidate should have a comprehensive knowledge of academic and support programs and a thorough understanding of student development theories in practice. This role is highly collaborative, and the selected candidate must be able to collaborate with faculty and staff in the academic colleges, student affairs, academic support units, and athletics. An institutional perspective, excellent communication, and consensus-building skills, as well as an ability to interpret significant student data and generate appropriate actions are essential.

As part of an office dedicated to supporting students, the Assistant Director will have the exciting opportunity to contribute creatively to the office's vision and to develop innovative student programming.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
• Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, or related field is required
• 2 years of experience in education supporting students, including student advising, teaching, or student support services
• Experience using data analytics to design and assess student interventions
• Experience supporting diverse student populations and collaborating with diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong skills in interpersonal/communication, organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects
• Experience using student development theories, data analysis, and evidence-based practices for supporting student success initiatives and programs.
• Creative and data-driven problem-solving abilities
• Knowledge of WCU's academic policies and on-campus student resources
• Experience with EAB Navigate student success management system and Ellucian Banner Student
• Strong commitment to student success

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week: 40

Number of Months Per Year: 12

Equal Opportunity Employer

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

Background and E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume
3. List of references