First-Year Success Manager — Student Retention & Programs

Rock Valley College; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Rock Valley College seeks a Manager First Year Success to lead and coordinate student success and retention initiatives for first-year students. You will develop, implement, and assess programs, onboarding, and services aimed at engaging students from enrollment to degree completion.

Reporting to the Dean of Advising and Retention, you will supervise staff and student workers, collaborate with the grants office, and ensure accessible web materials.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required in College Student Personnel, Counseling, Educational Counseling, Education, or Adult Education.
• 1-2 years post-secondary experience required.
• Supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Budget management experience preferred.
• Spanish fluency highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and assess Student Success programs and services that support student success and retention.
• Create, plan, implement, and maintain comprehensive New Student Welcome programs.
• Plan, implement, assess, and evaluate services that foster student achievement and support undergraduate students from enrollment through certificate/degree completion.
• Coordinate Student Development (STU) 100, 101, and 103 courses; including selection, training, scheduling and evaluation of instructors, curriculum development, and course evaluation
• Provide targeted support strategies for special populations, including first-generation students, adult learners, and underrepresented student groups.
• Support retention and persistence efforts through data-informed interventions.
• Develop, implement, and access College's Peer Mentoring program
• Collaborate with College's grants office in developing grant proposals
• Develop and maintain the department's and resource allocation
• Serve on college committees
• Ensure web materials related to Student Success and First Year programs are accessible and are effective measurements of course learning objectives.
• Promote a highly collaborative work environment between academic and administrative departments.
• Analyze student success data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement
• Teach STU 100 Planning for College Success and/or STU 101 Career Planning and/or STU 103 Workplace Ethics as needed and appropriate.
• Stay apprised of current policies, legal issues, and ethical concerns facing Student Success services, First Year programs and higher education.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Services on transition and onboarding efforts
• Supervise support staff and student workers
• Regular attendance is expected. Evening and weekend hours as needed and appropriate.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's Degree (required)

1-2 years post-secondary experience

Job description

Rock Valley College seeks a Manager First Year Success to lead and coordinate student success and retention initiatives for first-year students. You will develop, implement, and assess programs, onboarding, and services aimed at engaging students from enrollment to degree completion.

Reporting to the Dean of Advising and Retention, you will supervise staff and student workers, collaborate with the grants office, and ensure accessible web materials.