Assistant Director, Student Success and Retention

Illinois Institute of Technology; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Institute of Technology is looking for an Assistant Director for Student Success and Retention. This role includes overseeing programming and operations for scholarship cohorts and first-generation student success initiatives. The Assistant Director will lead the development of a peer mentorship program, collaborate with various partners, and provide leadership for first-generation students.

A Bachelor's degree is required, and a Master's in a related field is preferred. The position offers a salary range of $50,000 – $55,000 annually, with a commitment to a supportive campus environment.

Qualifications

• At least two years of relevant experience with a complex institution such as a university, school system, or not-for-profit agency.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, supervise, train, and evaluate 10-15 student peer mentors.
• Partner with Undergraduate Admission for outreach and strategic enrollment initiatives.
• Provide leadership and administration for first-generation students and scholarship cohorts.
• Serve as official representative for the Hope Chicago program.
• Plan and facilitate educational initiatives supporting student leadership development.
• Create and maintain partnerships across the division to enhance retention and success.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Educational Leadership, or related field

Job description

Assistant Director, Student Success and Retention

Pay Range: $50,000 – $55,000 per year
Compensation Statement: The pay range listed reflects the anticipated base compensation for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on skills, experience, education, and internal equity.
Benefits Eligibility: Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits

Position Summary

The Office of Student Success is under the umbrella of the Student Affairs Division dedicated to promoting student achievement, well-being, and active participation in the campus community. This office works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create programs, provide resources, and foster a supportive environment conducive to academic and personal growth. Under the direct supervision of the Director of Student Affairs, the Assistant Director of Student Success is a full-time professional staff member. The person in this role oversees the administration, leadership, and management of the programming, operations, and retention efforts for select scholarship cohorts such as Chicago Difference and Hope Scholars, and first‑generation student success initiatives (i.e. peer mentor programs, commuter services, etc.). The person in this position will also lead their team in the development, coordination, and maintenance of a comprehensive peer mentorship program for first‑generation students at Illinois Tech to ensure their success, engagement, and retention.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Recruit, supervise, train, and evaluate 10-15 student peer mentors who will work with Chicago Difference and Hope Chicago scholars.
• Partner with Undergraduate Admission and Elevate College Prep to build relationships with CPS partners and act as an advisor for outreach and strategic‑enrollment initiatives. Duties may include representation at school visits, on campus recruitment events, and partner meetings. Throughout the year, collaborate with Elevate College Prep to build programming for CPS partners to create an enrollment pipeline for grades 9-12 through The Chicago Difference. In the spring, collaborate with Undergraduate Admission to select and onboard the upcoming fall cohort of Chicago Difference scholars. Connect current Chicago Difference Scholars with incoming scholars upon cohort selection in February.
• Provide leadership, administration, and create a sense of belonging for first‑generation students and scholarship cohorts such as the Chicago Difference and Hope Scholars.
• Serve as official representative for Hope Chicago program. Facilitate MOU.
• In partnership with the Office of Student Life, plan and facilitate monthly educational initiatives supporting student leadership development. Serve as an advocate for first‑generation students; lead community conversations about bias and community responses to bias as it relates to student concerns. Foster community building within the first‑generation population and provide resources for students to connect to and from social support networks.
• Create and maintain meaningful partnerships and collaborations across the division, as well as with other academic and administrative on campus. Serve on university committees to establish and implement programs and services which enhance the retention and success of first‑generation students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Educational Leadership, or related field. At least two years of relevant experience with a complex institution such as a university, school system, not‑for‑profit agency, or related is required.

Supervision

• Direct supervision of 10‑15 student peer mentors.