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About Roger Williams University:
Roger Williams University, located in Bristol, R.I., is a leading independent, coeducational university with programs in the liberal arts and the professions, where students become community- and globally-minded citizens through project-based, experiential learning. Offering 43 majors and a plethora of co-curricular activities as well as study abroad options, RWU is dedicated to the success of students, commitment to a set of core values, the pursuit of affordable excellence, and to providing a relevant, world-class education above all else. In the last decade, the University has achieved unprecedented successes including recognition as one of the best colleges in the nation by Forbes, a College of Distinction by Student Horizons, Inc. and as both a best college in the Northeast and one of the nation’s greenest universities by The Princeton Review.

Roger Williams University is committed to creating and supporting an intellectual community devoted to teaching and learning and providing the opportunity for personal and intellectual growth for students, faculty and staff. The University credits much of that growth and success to the hard work and dedication of its employees.

Job Description:
The Director of Retention and Student Academic Success is a critical member of the Academic Affairs division senior staff and is accountable for the University-wide collaboration, development and implementation of an overarching strategic plan that aims to improve the student retention and graduation rates, with particular attention to "at risk" students. The incumbent holds the leadership role in nurturing and maintaining a contemporary student centered culture of collaboration across campus. The Director of Retention and Student Academic Success, under the direction of the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, will work collaboratively with Student Affairs, Admissions, Bursar, Institutional Research, other University programs, as well as all programs in Academic Affairs, faculty and staff to identify specific retention goals and develop comprehensive plans, programs and student academic services for achieving results.

Essential Functions include but are not limited to:

1. Retention Initiative Development and Management:

• Working with Institutional Research, develop strategies and initiatives to collect data, evaluate retention efforts, analyze retention data, and improve graduation  and retention rates;
• Create strategies for identifying students at-risk to leave the institution and counsel students on a referral and walk-in basis;
• Work collaboratively and disseminate analytical research to identify and inform recruitment, admissions, financial aid, student services, residential life, and other constituents;
• Oversee the use of a university-wide "Early Warning System" that coordinates data regarding students who are at risk of leaving the University.

2. Mentoring Program Oversight:

• Execute a peer mentoring program for freshman and incoming transfer students that includes management of a student leader staff sized at a ratio of approximately one Student Advocate peer member per 20 students;
• Monitor the collegial experience of the student population including, but not limited to, the academic, judicial, social and financial status of students;
• Continually enhance the Student Advocate recruitment process and design a mentoring program that best meets the needs of a changing student population.

3. Student Counseling:

• Counsel and support students on a walk-in and referral basis;
• Troubleshoot and resolve matters that students encounter on a daily basis with support from University administration, faculty, and staff.

4. Student Success and Persistence:

• Serve as primary individual responsible for counseling students who are considering a temporary hiatus or permanent withdrawal from the University and students who wish to return to the University after a hiatus;
• Inform and collaborate with the appropriate campus community members regarding student matriculation.

5. Leadership and Interdepartmental Management:

• Manage Student Advocacy Office which includes: budgeting, planning and training for student advocates, professional, clerical staff and student workers;
• Shape the reputation of the Center for Student Academic Success as a one-stop service, both physical and virtual, that processes and provides customized academic support for students, on a walk-in or referral basis;
• Supervise the Associate Director of Tutorial Support  Services, the Associate Director of Student Accessibility  Services, and the Director of the University Advising Center.
• Serve as a University resource of comprehensive knowledge regarding the support systems in place for students and University policies and procedures that can facilitate student success;
• Supervise the dissemination of work responsibilities and priorities, training, and personnel resolution; write and distribute performance evaluations and mentor staff to achieve peak productions and performance.
• Ensure that student, parent, and University staff and faculty inquiries are responded to in a timely manner.

Additional Functions:

Serve as the retention liaison for the Division and University. Serve as a member of the President's Retention Task Forces. Support specific student populations to help ensure their success. Work collaboratively with colleagues in all areas of the University. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor or his/her designee.

Respect and maintain confidentiality, parameters of operation, professional protocols, and individual privacy.

 Requirements:
Master's degree in counseling, higher education administration, student development theory, organizational psychology or a related field. Three to five years of experience in a college or university enrollment management or student development/support role including administrative leadership and staff supervision responsibilities.

Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation with the ability to convey and obtain information amongst a variety of audiences such as students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff. Excellent time management skills, ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines and adept at shifting skills to accommodate changing priorities with the ability to work in a fast paced environment.

Proven ability to function independently with a minimum of supervision and take the lead in projects as appropriate. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.

Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills. Available to work nights and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with student retention initiatives, specifically development of university-wide and targeted retention plans. Experience with student academic support programs such as tutoring, advising, mentoring, and/or accessibility services. Assessment, research, and data collection and analysis experience.

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Additional Information:
Roger Williams University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusive excellence and encourages applications from underrepresented populations.

Application Instructions:
Please apply online at http://rwu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=48039 and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references.