Student Success Advocate & Retention Lead

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 49,188 - 78,444; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Student Advocacy Specialist in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications to coordinate student retention and success efforts with a focus on first-year seminars and targeted populations.

The role involves designing programs, overseeing Living-Learning Community initiatives, supporting recruitment, and partnering with scholarship resources to drive graduation goals. Background checks apply, and U.S. work authorization is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Master’s Degree plus 6+ years of relevant experience or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Monitor undergraduate retention, persistence, and graduation rates for key student populations.
• Design, implement, and assess programs and outreach initiatives that promote student success with a focus on targeted populations.
• Oversee the College’s Living‑Learning Community in partnership with Residence Life and develop programming to support first‑year student success.
• Support undergraduate recruitment and enrollment initiatives, including events and prospective student outreach.
• Collaborate with student organizations and oversee student mentoring and federal work‑study programs to enhance engagement and retention.
• Partner with the scholarships coordinator to align scholarship resources with student success and graduation goals.
• Evaluate and enhance first‑year seminars and curricular/co‑curricular initiatives to improve retention and persistence, especially for transfer and 2+2 students.
• Assist with undergraduate recruitment efforts, including attendance at recruitment events and outreach to prospective students.
• May supervise student employees.

Education

Advanced Professional: Bachelor’s Degree + 3+ years or equivalent

Senior Professional: Master’s Degree + 6+ years or equivalent

Job description

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Student Advocacy Specialist in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications to coordinate student retention and success efforts with a focus on first-year seminars and targeted populations.

The role involves designing programs, overseeing Living-Learning Community initiatives, supporting recruitment, and partnering with scholarship resources to drive graduation goals. Background checks apply, and U.S. work authorization is required.