Responsibilities:

1.   Evaluate the University’s current retention activities and recommend the appropriate structure, organization, strategies and resources necessary to achieve student retention and graduation goals as follows:

·         Increase the rate of first-year student retention from 49% to 75% within eight years.

·         Increase the returning rate by 2-3% per year at both the undergraduate and graduate levels during the period 2007-2017.

·         Increase the six-year graduation rate to meet or exceed national averages of CSU’s peer institutions.

2.   Complete a comprehensive retention plan that aligns University resources to achieve retention goals consistent with the Strategic Academic and Enrollment Management (SAEM) Plan.

3.   Ensure consistent and mutually reinforcing retention activities across programs, departments and divisions of the University.

4.   Regularly update the cabinet, deans, and other senior leadership on progress in the University’s retention of students to graduation.

5.   Develop and implement a data-driven assessment plan to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of retention activities and recommend changes as necessary.

6.   Conduct best-practice retention workshops for faculty, staff and administrators.

7.   Develop a successful proposal to secure external funding for a comprehensive retention center.

 Qualifications:

1.   Masters degree in education, student development, counseling or a related field,

2.   Ability to work with diverse campus communities.

3.   Demonstrated leadership skills in an institution of higher education.

4.   Knowledge of and experience with research and best practices in student retention.

5.   Experience writing grant proposals.

6.   Excellent communication skills.

7.   Familiarity with or ability to learn the Banner Information System.

Preferred Qualifications:

1.   Doctorate in education, student development, counseling, or a related field.

2.   Broad understanding of higher education issues.