Student Support Specialist (TEMP)

The California State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University in San Jose is seeking a Student Support Specialist for a temporary, benefited, 3-year appointment to advance retention and equity under the ASAP program. The role focuses on assisting low-income, first-generation, and underserved AANHPI students and other underrepresented groups.

The specialist will guide students through university systems, connect them with campus resources, and support persistence from term to term, including re-enrollment efforts.

Responsibilities

• Support CSU ASAP initiatives focused on AANHPI and disproportionately impacted student populations.
• Conduct proactive outreach to first-year and transfer students to support successful transition to SJSU.
• Design engagement strategies that increase students' sense of belonging, connection, and awareness of campus resources.
• Provide students guidance on navigating university systems, policies, and processes (e.g., enrollment, registration, use of campus platforms).
• Maintain accurate records of student participation and engagement for reporting purposes.
• Identify and track students who stop out or do not enroll from term to term using institutional data systems.
• Conduct outreach (phone, email, text) to assess barriers to persistence and re-enrollment.

Job description

Job Summary

• This is a temporary, benefited, 3 year appointment with the possibility of extension*

The Student Support Specialist supports San José State University's commitment to student success and equity by advancing retention and persistence efforts under the CSU Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program (ASAP). The position is responsible for providing culturally responsive services that enhance the educational experiences and promote the success of low-income, first‑generation, and underserved Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students, as well as other underrepresented student populations. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Identity-Based Retention Centers, the Student Support Specialist implements proactive outreach and engagement strategies to support students throughout the student lifecycle—including first-year, transfer, and continuing students—in navigating the university, connecting to campus resources, and persisting from term to term. The Student Support Specialist provides guidance on university systems and fosters a sense of belonging and academic success. A key function of this role is to support re‑enrollment and ongoing retention efforts by identifying and conducting outreach to students who are not enrolled in subsequent terms. Using tools such as phone banking and student data systems, the Student Support Specialist assesses barriers to persistence, including academic, financial, housing, and basic needs challenges and facilitates timely referrals to appropriate campus services. The position collaborates closely with academic advising units and campus partners to ensure coordinated support, while not serving as a primary academic advisor. The Student Support Specialist contributes to the CSU ASAP grant‑funded initiatives and targeted retention strategies, including efforts to improve outcomes for male‑identified undergraduate students, and supports data tracking and reporting to strengthen retention outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of CSU ASAP grant initiatives focused on AANHPI and other disproportionately impacted student populations.
• Conduct proactive outreach to first-year and transfer students (with an emphasis on AANHPI, low-income, and first‑generation populations) to support successful transition to SJSU.
• Design and implement engagement strategies that increase students' sense of belonging, connection, and awareness of campus resources.
• Provide students guidance on navigating university systems, policies, and processes (e.g., enrollment, registration, use of campus platforms).
• Maintain accurate records of student participation and engagement for reporting purposes.
• Identify and track students who stop out or do not enroll from term to term using institutional data systems.
• Conduct outreach (including phone banking campaigns, email, and text) to assess barriers to persistence and re