Associate Director of Retention

The Associate Director of Retention reports directly to the Director of Student Resources & Programming. The Associate Director supports the research, coordination, planning, implementation, and assessment of student retention initiatives. This position works collaboratively with campus leaders, faculty, staff, and student support partners to identify barriers to student persistence, coordinate timely interventions, and connect students with resources and services that promote continued enrollment and academic success.

The Associate Director provides particular support for retention efforts involving students who may experience additional barriers to persistence, including veterans, first-generation college students, students navigating academic or other appeals, and students identified or referred through the campus AWARE Team (BIT/Care Team). The position helps identify students who may be at risk of stopping out, coordinate outreach and retention-related follow-up, connect students with appropriate resources, monitor student engagement and progress, and contribute to strategies designed to improve retention and student success.

• →Supports the Director of Student Resources & Programming and campus partners in the coordination and implementation of student retention initiatives and programming.
• →Assists with identifying barriers to student persistence and developing strategies, interventions, and resource connections to address those barriers.
• →Supports the development and implementation of retention strategies and action plans designed to improve student persistence and completion.
• →Uses available student data, retention metrics, and applicable student success systems to identify trends, monitor student progress, and inform retention efforts.
• →Provides data and reporting support related to student retention initiatives, including preparing information for campus leadership, faculty, and staff as appropriate.
• →Maintains accurate records and tracking systems related to retention outreach, interventions, student contacts, referrals, and resource connections.
• →Collaborates with faculty, staff, academic advisors, student support services, and other campus and community partners to develop and implement individualized retention and success strategies for students and identified student populations.
• →Provides targeted retention support and outreach to students who may be at increased risk of stopping out or experiencing academic challenges, including but not limited to:
  • →Veterans and military-connected students;
  • →First-generation college students;
  • →Students participating in or navigating academic, financial aid, or other appeals processes;
  • →Students identified or referred through the campus AWARE Team (BIT/Care Team);
  • →Students experiencing academic, financial, or other barriers to persistence;
  • →Online only and part-time students; and
  • →Other student populations identified through institutional data, campus referral processes, or student support initiatives.
• →Conducts proactive student outreach and follow-up with identified students to assess needs, provide information, facilitate referrals, and encourage engagement with appropriate campus resources.
• →Supports students who are navigating academic or other appeals by helping identify appropriate resources, coordinating communication with campus partners, and providing retention-focused follow-up as appropriate.
• →Assists with monitoring student progress following interventions, referrals, or other retention activities and communicates relevant updates to appropriate campus partners while maintaining student privacy and confidentiality.
• →Supports the maintenance and effective use of electronic student records, caseload management systems, student information systems, degree completion tracking tools, and other applicable platforms.
• →Assists with tracking student support resources and services and identifying opportunities to improve access, communication, and coordination.
• →Contributes to campus communication and outreach efforts related to student support resources, retention initiatives, and services designed to promote student persistence.
• →Assists with the development and implementation of student outreach and communication strategies throughout the academic term.
• →Participates in retention-related committees, workgroups, professional development, and campus initiatives as assigned.
• →Provides oversight and support for campus retention events, programs, workshops, and other initiatives designed to promote student engagement, persistence, and completion.
• →Maintains current knowledge of institutional policies, student support resources, retention practices, and applicable regulations affecting student services.
• →Performs other duties logically associated with the position as assigned.

This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list. Other duties logically associated with this position may be assigned. All responsibilities will be conducted within the parameters of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), other applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in higher education, student services, academic advising, student success, retention, or another related field required.  Community college experience preferred.

• Knowledge of student retention, persistence, and student success practices, particularly within a higher education or community college environment.
• Knowledge of student support strategies and resources for working with students who may experience barriers to persistence.
• Knowledge of or experience working with populations that may benefit from targeted retention and student support efforts, including first-generation students, veterans and military-connected students, and students experiencing academic or financial challenges.
• Experience working with student-related data, reporting systems, case management platforms, student information systems, or other technology used to support student success.
• Ability to identify students who may benefit from additional support and coordinate appropriate outreach, referrals, and interventions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and campus partners across multiple areas of the institution.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and appropriate confidentiality when working with students and sensitive information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize projects, maintain accurate records, and follow through on assigned initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to identify key issues and carry an idea or project from conception through implementation.
• Ability to analyze information and use data to inform student support and retention efforts.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to promote an inclusive environment that reflects the broad diversity and backgrounds represented by our students and employees and in which every individual feels respected and valued. 

Ivy Tech is committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and financial security of our full-time faculty and staff. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Multiple medical plan options paired with a Health Savings Account with a generous employer contribution

• Dental plan with no-cost preventive services and coverage for orthodontia

• Vision plan with low-cost exams and allowances for glasses or contact lenses

• Employee Assistance Program offering no-cost confidential counseling sessions, legal consultations, financial planning consultations, and other resources

• Wellness program with opportunities to earn $250 in Wellness Rewards

• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare (limited purpose) and dependent care

• 10% employer retirement contribution, fully vested after two years

• Basic life insurance equal to annual salary paid by the College, with optional supplemental coverage

• Short-term and long-term disability benefits

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, and winter recess

• Flexible work arrangements where available

• Paid childbirth recovery leave (8 weeks)

• Paid parental leave (4 weeks)