Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist

Position Department: Center For Student Success

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

The Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist position at Robert Morris University is a team member within the Center for Student Success. As a member of the Center for Student Success Team, this student-centered position supports undergraduate recruitment and retention initiatives across programs in the assigned areas. Primary responsibilities include academic advising, participating in recruitment initiatives and activities, providing oversight to several key technology based retention strategies, and serving as a point of contact for undergraduates with specific departments and programs. Work is performed under the supervision of the Director of the Center for Student Success and includes collaboration with Academic Department Heads and/or other program personnel.

• Provide academic program advisement to undergraduate students within assigned departments to include program coaching and course registration guidance. Serve as a liaison with academic departments and academic services.
• Assist in student retention and persistent efforts as determined by the department and University. Collaborates with university personnel for student success initiatives. Tracks all at-risk students for focused advising and assists with special programming for student retention.
• Consult and partner with academic departments, enrollment management, and Student Life offices.
• Evaluate retention enrollment data to determine the effectiveness of current retention enrollment processes; liaises with and serves as a resource for academic departments, offices, programs, and schools across campus to develop and realize retention and persistence enrollment goals.
• Participate in New Student Orientation, Admissions recruitment days, and other campus-wide events.
• Teach the First Year Seminar Program (FYSP) Experience course each fall semester (FYSP1000).
• Effectively use EAB Navigate and Banner tools for assessment, evaluation, and registration results in determining student academic performance.
• Complete comprehensive semester and annual reporting including, but not limited to, academic achievement, service, membership and retention, and policy compliance.
• Work collaboratively with other student services staff to maintain an understanding of the full student life-cycle and typical barriers to retention, degree completion, and graduation.
• Develop and implement retention programs, initiatives, and targeted communications to improve student enrollment and retention outcomes.
• Perform targeted outreach and interact directly with at-risk students, connecting them with resources to navigate barriers to completion.
• Perform industry research and may make recommendations for process improvements in line with industry best practices.
• Manage academic progress reports and the academic alerts processes in Navigate. Share academic alerts with a student’s assigned Academic Advisor and other university personnel as appropriate for student support and outreach.
• Evening and weekend availability for programs and special events.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Human Resources, Career Counseling, Human Resources, Student Personnel, Student Affairs or a related field is required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in an educational setting (secondary or higher education environment) preferred
• Sensitivity to and comfortable working in a multicultural setting
• Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds
• Experience working with underrepresented college students, first-generation students, and high risk students
• Thorough knowledge of university student development theory, academic advising, retention, and persistence programs
• Familiarity with current trends in higher education and technology, and the ability to leverage the use of technology and other resources to meet student needs
• Experience in career counseling, career development, or related areas in a higher education setting or equivalent environment.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills with a high energy level is required
• Ability to develop and deliver effective personal, social, career, and student development programs to individuals and groups
• Independent judgment with a high degree of discretion, confidentiality and integrity
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret statistical data
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills
• Must be customer service oriented
• Comfortable with social media (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Valid drivers license or the ability to have reliable transportation to travel on behalf of the university.

Exemption Status: Exempt

Act 153 Clearance Required: No

Required To Pass a Motor Vehicle Report Check (If driving on behalf of the University): Yes

Required to Pass a Credit Check: No

Additional Posting Information: None

Special Applicant Instructions: None

RMU complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please email humanresources@rmu.edu or call us at (412) 397-6270 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.