Manager of Student Programs & Retention

Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland State University’s Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks a collaborative, student-centered leader to strengthen student success and retention. The Manager of Student Programs & Retention oversees college-wide programs and services that promote engagement, achievement, and graduation progression, including SPARK, URMP, tutoring, and GTA training.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Innovation, this 1.0 FTE, 12-month role requires strategic planning,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 4 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, and/or related field.
• Experience supervising a 1.0 FTE team.
• Experience with event planning and delivery of student success programs.
• Experience in data collection and analysis for decision-making.
• Experience developing budgets and program reporting.
• Proven ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for college-wide student programs and services.
• Oversee SPARK, Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Program, tutoring initiatives, and GTA training.
• Assess program effectiveness using student and institutional data.
• Advise college leadership on retention strategies.
• Supervise three staff and coordinate career services.
• Align programs with Maseeh College priorities.

Skills

Team supervision

Event planning

Data collection & analysis

Budget development & reporting

Communication with diverse populations

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date 12/01/2026 Classification Title Academic Services Rank Working Title Manager of Student Programs & Retention Department 270101 - EAS MCECS Dean Maseeh College Position Number D90886 Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status N - not applicable

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

Portland State University is Oregon’s most innovative, diverse, and affordable public research university, located in one of the nation’s most desirable places to live, and the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science is your testing ground for putting new ideas into action. We believe in involving everyone—from freshmen to faculty to community in solving the problems facing our region and our world.

Maseeh College includes five departments, 132 faculty members, and more than 2,700 students. We offer academic programs that provide transformative opportunities within the classroom and beyond. Our faculty includes six National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award winners and two members of the National Academy of Engineering. When you join our college, you’ll be at the heart of an intellectually-challenging, personally rewarding, and purposefully inclusive environment, connected to Portland’s “silicon forest,” a nexus of growing, innovative industries and agencies.

Position Summary

Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks a collaborative, student-centered, and strategic leader to strengthen the conditions that help students thrive. The ideal candidate is a skilled program builder who translates institutional priorities into effective action, fosters a strong sense of belonging, and develops sustainable approaches to meet evolving student needs.

The Manager of Student Programs & Retention provides strategic leadership for college-wide programs and services that promote student engagement, academic achievement, and progression toward graduation. Working within the Dean’s Office, the Manager oversees a diverse portfolio of student programs, including SPARK, the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Program, college-wide tutoring initiatives, and training for Graduate Teaching Assistants and student group leaders.

The position exercises independent judgment in establishing priorities, developing and evaluating programs, coordinating resources, and responding to emerging student and organizational needs. The Manager uses student and institutional data to inform planning and continuous improvement, advises college leadership on retention strategies and program effectiveness, and collaborates with academic departments across Maseeh College to advance shared goals.

The Manager also directly supervises three staff members and ensures that student programs and career services are coordinated, sustainable, accessible, and aligned with Maseeh College strategic priorities.

This role is a 1.0 FTE, 12-month appointment reporting directly to the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 4 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, and/or related field
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and evaluating a team of 1.0 FTE employees
• Experience with event planning and delivery of student success programs
• Experience in data collection and analysis for decision-making
• Experience developing budgets and program reporting
• Proven ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse populations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing student retention, persistence, and/or academic support initiatives specifically within engineering, computer science, and/or technical STEM disciplines.
• Experience designing and delivering training and student-centered programming with an emphasis on inclusive pedagogy and active learning strategies
• Demonstrated track record of developing programs that support underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, or transfer students in STEM fields.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

M-F, 8am - 5pm

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $65,100 – $75,686, but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/psu-total-compensation-calculator