McNair Sr. Retention Specialist

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University seeks a McNair Senior Retention Specialist to lead academic support, mentorship, and graduate school planning for McNair Scholars. The role includes supervising two Graduate Support Assistants, coordinating recruitment, and strengthening faculty partnerships to advance scholar success.

The position is grant-funded through Sept. 30, 2027, with renewal possibilities depending on performance and funding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in student personnel, higher education, counseling or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in federal TRIO or similar program.
• Experience with MS Excel, Access or database programs.
• Experience advising students on graduate school admissions, research, and financial aid.
• Demonstrated communication skills with diverse audiences.
• Commitment to supporting TRIO students including first-generation and students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Advise and mentor McNair Scholars with academic, career, and grad school planning.
• Manage program records, grant compliance, data collection, and annual reporting.
• Supervise graduate staff and coordinate recruitment/training.
• Coordinate scholar recruitment, outreach, and marketing efforts.
• Cultivate partnerships with faculty and campus programs to support scholars.
• Plan orientation and professional development activities to promote persistence and success.

Skills

Graduate school advising

Public speaking

Student mentoring

TRIO background experience

First-generation support

Education

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

Tools

MS Excel

Access

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The McNair Senior Retention Specialist is a full-time professional staff member in the AAC with a specialized skill set in programming and student support. The Senior Retention Specialist is responsible for providing individual and group services designed to enhance a student’s successful entry into post-baccalaureate education and leading academic success initiatives (such as internships, seminars, and research opportunities) designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral study. In addition, the Senior Retention Specialist will provide academic support for students, including coaching, mentoring, and advising. This position is also responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of two McNair Graduate Support Assistants. Additionally, the Senior Retention Specialist will be responsible for communicating within the AAC unit as well as with internal CSU and external McNair partners relating to the recruitment and support of McNair Scholars. This includes communication and engagement with CSU faculty to secure McNair Scholar mentors.

This is a grant-funded appointment that ends September 30, 2027, with the possibility of renewal depending upon satisfactory performance and ongoing funding for the position.

For more information on the AAC, visit: aac.colostate.edu

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Monday, September 28, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Essential Job Duties:

• Advise and mentor 25 McNair Scholars by providing individualized academic, career, and graduate school planning; monitoring student progress; conducting proactive outreach; connecting students with resources; and delivering the Summer Research Internship curriculum.
• Lead program administration and assessment by maintaining accurate student records, ensuring grant compliance, collecting and analyzing program data, administering assessments, contributing to annual reporting, and supporting strategic planning and continuous program improvement.
• Supervise and develop graduate student staff by recruiting, training, mentoring, evaluating performance, assigning responsibilities, monitoring workflow, and fostering a collaborative and productive team environment.
• Coordinate scholar recruitment, outreach, and marketing efforts by implementing recruitment strategies, conducting eligibility reviews and information sessions, developing promotional materials, managing digital communications, and analyzing recruitment outcomes to enhance program visibility and participation.
• Cultivate campus and faculty partnerships by engaging faculty mentors, collaborating with campus departments and student support programs, representing the program on committees and initiatives, and advancing opportunities that support scholar success.
• Facilitate scholar engagement and professional development opportunities by planning and supporting orientation programs, academic success initiatives, research and conference experiences, graduate school exploration, lead group travel, and other activities that promote persistence and post-baccalaureate attainment.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment criminal background check (required for new hires).

Supervision:

• 2 Graduate Support Assistants (1.0 FTE total).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in student personnel, higher education,counselingor related field.
• Minimum of (3) years ofappropriateand relevant professional experience working in a federal TRIO program or similar program/project (two years of graduate-level work experience through assistantships or internships will be considered equivalent to 1 year of professional experience).
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience with computer application skills (MS Excel, Access, or other database programs), computer-assisted learning, and prior experience with database entry.
• Experience advising andassistingstudents with graduate school admissions, research, and the financial aid processDemonstrated communication skills asevidencedby experience making public presentations to a variety of audiences, training, workshops, facilitations, or teaching.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working with college students from TRIO backgrounds, including those who are first-generation, limited income, and/or with disabilities.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education,counseling, or related field.
• One (1) year of professional experience in a TRIO McNair Scholars Programor other TRIO program.
• Experience with Student Access tracking software or similar.
• Experience hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating graduate student staff.
• Experience using software such as project management platforms like Asana and visual suites like Canva or Adobe Acrobat.
• Demonstrated experience relating effectively with a variety of constituents, including students, faculty, staff, and community.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively independently and as a team player.

Salary Range

$60,000-$62,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance,CSUis where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations,CSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.