Student Support Services Retention Specialist

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 56,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust benefits package

Job summary

Colorado State University is seeking a Retention Specialist for the TRIO Student Support Services Classic & STEM program to provide holistic coaching, mentoring, and advising for first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. The role supports college transition, academic success, financial education, career development, and graduate prep across CSU journeys.

The position includes recruitment support, interviews, and intake for new students, with potential for renewal beyond the grant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 1 year of employment experience in K-12 education, higher education, or college access programs.
• Demonstrated experience delivering direct, individualized (one-on-one) and group support to students, focusing on student success, retention, and fostering a sense of belonging.
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with diverse student populations and their support networks.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain productivity in an environment with competing priorities and minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with strict discretion and emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic student success coaching by managing an assigned caseload and delivering individualized support that promotes students' academic achievement, personal development, persistence, and graduation.
• Assess student needs and coordinate interventions by identifying barriers to success, connecting students with campus and community resources, and serving as an advocate to help students navigate university systems.
• Respond to complex student situations by providing timely support, crisis response, and referrals while maintaining professional boundaries and coordinating care with appropriate campus partners.
• Maintain student records and ensure compliance by documenting student interactions, tracking progress, utilizing student success data, and adhering to university policies, and applicable federal and grant regulations.
• Develop and facilitate student engagement opportunities by planning and implementing workshops, cohort experiences, and community-building activities that foster belonging, leadership, and student success.
• Collaborate within the Academic Advancement Center (AAC) and Community for Excellence (C4E) Network by partnering with colleagues across multiple scholarship and student success programs to provide coordinated, student-centered services.
• Build and sustain campus partnerships by collaborating with academic and administrative units to strengthen student support systems, improve resource access, and advance institutional student success initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of departmental, divisional, and university priorities.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in student personnel, higher education, counseling or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Retention Specialist for TRIO Student Support Services Classic & STEM program is a federally funded position through the US Department of Education and provides academic support and coaching, mentoring, and advising for students from first- generation, low-income, and disability backgrounds. The activities include providing wrap around student support services for first year, continuing and transfer students in the following categories: college transition, academic success, financial education, career and leadership development, graduate school preparation, connection and community, and support. The holistic approach to serving students throughout their entire CSU journey promotes retention and graduation. This position also includes supporting the new student recruitment process, including conducting interviews and intake appointments for new students. Additional duties include serving on Academic Advancement Center (AAC) and CSU-wide planning committees and supporting students during travel opportunities. This position reports to the Associate Director of the Student Support Services Programs within the AAC. This is a grant-funded appointment that ends August 31, 2027, with the possibility of renewal depending upon satisfactory performance and ongoing funding for the position.

Full Consideration Date

please apply by Monday, October 12th, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Essential Job Duties

• Provide holistic student success coaching by managing an assigned caseload and delivering individualized support that promotes students' academic achievement, personal development, persistence, and graduation.
• Assess student needs and coordinate interventions by identifying barriers to success, connecting students with campus and community resources, and serving as an advocate to help students navigate university systems.
• Respond to complex student situations by providing timely support, crisis response, and referrals while maintaining professional boundaries and coordinating care with appropriate campus partners.
• Maintain student records and ensure compliance by documenting student interactions, tracking progress, utilizing student success data, and adhering to university policies, and applicable federal and grant regulations.
• Develop and facilitate student engagement opportunities by planning and implementing workshops, cohort experiences, and community-building activities that foster belonging, leadership, and student success.
• Collaborate within the Academic Advancement Center (AAC) and Community for Excellence (C4E) Network by partnering with colleagues across multiple scholarship and student success programs to provide coordinated, student-centered services.
• Build and sustain campus partnerships by collaborating with academic and administrative units to strengthen student support systems, improve resource access, and advance institutional student success initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of departmental, divisional, and university priorities.

Supervision

No formal supervisory responsibilities.

Conditions of Employment

The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 1 year of employment experience in K-12 education, higher education, or college access programs.
• Demonstrated experience delivering direct, individualized (one-on-one) and group support to students, focusing on student success, retention, and fostering a sense of belonging.
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with diverse student populations and their support networks.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain productivity in an environment with competing priorities and minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, confidential information with strict discretion and emotional intelligence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education, counseling or related field.
• Experience in program coordination, leadership, or progressively responsible work within a college access or student success framework.
• Experience working with TRIO or similar college access programs, academic advising, or career counseling.
• Experience advising, counseling, teaching, or supervising individuals from historically minoritized communities.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution, creative problem-solving, and independent decision-making.
• Strong organization and administrative skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching others, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of mutual accountability.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

Salary Range

Salary Range $56,000-$57,000

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, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Review our detailed benefits information here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

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, CSU conducts 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. Inspired by its land‑grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

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