CTE Student Recruitment and Retention Specialist

Ivy Tech Community College; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Ivy Tech Community College in East Chicago seeks a CTE Recruitment and Retention Specialist to drive student recruitment, persistence, and completion within CTE programs. You will collaborate with academic leadership and advising to engage students at key points in their path and improve credential attainment.

The role blends proactive outreach with data-informed decisions, monitoring student progress and coordinating support services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, student affairs, or related field.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on tasks.
• Experience working with diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment efforts for CTE programs through outreach to prospective and current students.
• Assist students in understanding program pathways, credential opportunities, and career outcomes.
• Collaborate with advising and enrollment teams to support onboarding and transition into CTE programs.
• Provide guidance and support to CTE students related to academic progress, program requirements, and available resources.
• Proactively communicate with students to assess needs and connect them with appropriate campus or community resources.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, student affairs, or related field

Tools

Student data systems

Reporting tools

Job description

The CTE Recruitment and Retention Specialist supports student recruitment, persistence, and completion within Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This position works collaboratively with academic leadership, advising, and student support services to identify and engage students at key points in their academic pathway, with the goal of improving retention, progression, and credential attainment.

The role combines proactive student engagement with data-informed decision-making to support CTE programs aligned with institutional priorities and Perkins/CLNA goals. Responsibilities include student outreach, coordination of support services, monitoring student progress, and identifying trends that impact student success.

This role is funded by the federal Perkins grant and has an expected end date of June 30, 2028. There is a possibility the position could be extended but it is not guaranteed.

Pay: $45,000 per year

Location: primary office location will be East Chicago with frequent travel to Gary and Crown Point. Some regional or statewide travel will be required.

Major Responsibilities

• Support recruitment efforts for CTE programs through outreach to prospective and current students
• Assist students in understanding program pathways, credential opportunities, and career outcomes
• Collaborate with advising and enrollment teams to support onboarding and transition into CTE programs

Retention and Student Support

• Provide guidance and support to CTE students related to academic progress, program requirements, and available resources
• Proactively communicate with students to assess needs and connect them with appropriate campus or community resources
• Support students in navigating academic plans and completing required steps toward credential attainment

Data-Informed Student Engagement

• Utilize available reports and data tools to identify students at risk of not persisting or completing (e.g., course performance, stop-out patterns, enrollment gaps)
• Conduct targeted outreach to student groups based on identified needs
• Track and document outreach efforts and student outcomes
• Program and Faculty Collaboration
• Participate in regular meetings with deans, program chairs, and student support teams to review enrollment, retention, and progression trends
• Coordinate with faculty and staff to address student needs and support program-level retention strategies
• Assist in implementing retention initiatives aligned with program and campus goals

Monitoring And Continuous Improvement

• Monitor student engagement and progression within assigned CTE programs
• Identify trends and barriers impacting recruitment, retention, and completion
• Share insights with leadership to support continuous improvement efforts

Administrative And Operational Support

• Maintain accurate student records and documentation of outreach and interventions
• Utilize institutional systems and tools for communication, tracking, and reporting
• Respond to student and campus requests in a timely manner
• Support occasional evening or weekend activities as needed

Student Recruitment And Outreach

• Support recruitment efforts for CTE programs through outreach to prospective and current students
• Assist students in understanding program pathways, credential opportunities, and career outcomes
• Collaborate with advising and enrollment teams to support onboarding and transition into CTE programs

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, student affairs, or related field
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on tasks
• Experience working with diverse student populations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, advising, or student support services
• Familiarity with CTE programs or workforce-aligned education
• Experience using student data systems or reports to inform decision-making

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Multiple medical plan options paired with a Health Savings Account with a generous employer contribution
• Dental plan with no-cost preventive services and coverage for orthodontia
• Vision plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses
• Employee Assistance Program offering no-cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources
• Wellness program with opportunities to earn $250 in Wellness Rewards
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare (limited purpose) and dependent care

Retirement & Financial Security

• 10% employer retirement contribution, fully vested after two years
• Basic life insurance equal to annual salary paid by the College, with optional supplemental coverage
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits

Educational Benefits

• Fee remission for employees, spouses, and dependent children
• Tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs
• Paid professional development opportunities

Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, and winter recess
• Flexible work arrangements where available
• Paid childbirth recovery leave (8 weeks)
• Paid parental leave (4 weeks)

Additional Perks

• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Additional discounts on gym memberships, transportation, and various retail services

Ivy Tech is proud to offer benefits that support your health, your family, and your future—because when our employees thrive, our students and communities thrive too. For more information on Ivy Tech Benefits, visit https://careers.ivytech.edu/benefits.

Note: Employees who re-hire with the College within 180 days of leaving a full-time position with the College may be eligible for additional benefits depending on their bridged seniority date.

Ivy Tech Community College is an accredited, equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or veteran status. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Ivy Tech Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions specific to Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator or to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.