Retention Specialist, Multicultural Student Services

The Retention Specialist provides services and programming to support student retention, engagement, and success in the Multicultural Student Services (MSS) Office. Through advisement, intentional programming, and direct student engagement, this position coordinates initiatives that help students navigate institutional processes, develop academic success plans, and connect with appropriate campus resources. Additionally, this role collaborates with other departments to facilitate student support services, and organizes workshops and activities that foster student belonging, personal and leadership development, and academic success. This position reports to the MSS Director.

Official UW Title (Code) / Job Description Retention Specialist AE107

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum / Required

• Bachelor's Degree by employment start date
• Demonstrated experience working with students/individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Demonstrated experience in planning, developing, and facilitating programs, events, and workshops from design to implementation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Highly Desired/Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in professional advising or retention services within higher education
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflicts and/or solve complex problems
• Proven skills in working with student record-keeping database (i.e. PeopleSoft, Navigate or similar systems) and Microsoft Office Suite

RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Retention and Advisement

• Provide advisement and support to students in areas such as academic support, career exploration, personal and leadership development, financial literacy, and graduate education.
• Provide outreach and retention services to high and early support students (academic probation, academic suspension, early intervention, etc.).
• Meet with students to assist and guide their college transition, develop a plan for academic success, connect them to appropriate services meeting their needs, and work collaboratively across campus to seek resources to support students.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to facilitate academic and personal support services and retention initiatives.
• Utilize EAB Navigate to monitor student academic progress, schedule advising appointments, and track student contacts.
• Facilitate workshop and leadership opportunities that enhance student engagement and growth and cultivate supportive environments where students from all backgrounds feel valued and a sense of belonging.
• Promote student involvement in university activities and encourage participation in student organizations.
• Provide support to affinity group student organization(s) through advisement, leadership development, and guidance with event planning and coordination.
• Represent MSS on university-wide initiatives including but not limited to committee work and designated projects.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work is expected.
• Other duties as assigned.

Grant and Scholarship Coordination

• Coordinate MSS grant and scholarship programs in collaboration with Financial Aid office.
• Monitor and track recipients' academic progress, activities for renewal, retention, and graduation.
• Maintain Canvas course, including developing online workshops/modules and reviewing activity submissions.
• Update and maintain grant and scholarship applications and materials, including promoting funding availability and opportunities to eligible students.
• Respond to inquiries related to grants and scholarships.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

UW-Stout's Multicultural Student Services (MSS) office is dedicated to fostering a supportive campus community. MSS offers academic, career, and personal support to students, providing opportunities for growth and development. The office promotes connection with others and facilitates networking and leadership opportunities and workshops to enhance students' academic success. MSS also supports financial literacy development, helping students invest in their education. Additionally, MSS is committed to the professional development of its staff and creating an environment that supports individual and team learning and growth.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete applications received by end of day, April 1st, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after April 1st, 2025 may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee or until position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

Required application materials:

• Cover letter (* See below)
• Curriculum vitae or resume

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.

• Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Rickie Ann Legleitner

Email: legleitnerr@uwstout.edu

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all the required application materials, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Dana Isaacson

Email: isaacsond@uwstout.edu

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Minimum annual starting salary of $44,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. UW-Stout is certified as a Family Friendly Workplace which recognizes market-leading employers for employee benefits and commitment to supporting children and families.

Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf
To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

UW-Stout is committed to nondiscrimination in its employment practices and to equal employment opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate against, harass or retaliate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (as defined in state and federal law), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, genetic information, arrest record, conviction record, military service, veteran status, use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during non-working hours, political affiliation, declining to attend a meeting or participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters, honesty testing, or any other category protected by law.

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor(s) questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

In response to a public records request, the Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students do more than earn a degree-they do on day one. And we are #StoutProud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.

UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

We offer 50 undergraduate degrees, 20 graduate degrees and 30 professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. As the only laptop campus among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Stout provides laptops and industry-standard software, open education resources and other technology-driven advantages all included in on-campus undergraduate tuition and fees. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us

University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community

Job Family: Staff