Retention Specialist
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- La Crosse, WI
- Permanent
- Full-time
Number of Vacancies 1
Working Title Retention Specialist
Classification Title Outreach Specialist
Proposed Salary to be Offered 44,500
Appointment Percentage (Budget) 100
Position SummaryUnder the leadership of the Director and Assistant Director for Retention in Multicultural Student Services, the Retention Specialist will provide on-going support to multicultural students at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. This position responds to students' academic and financial needs through coaching and referral to appropriate campus resources. Retention Specialist supports students to navigate the university system, focusing on academic, financial and student engagement with a holistic approach to advising. Our goal is to provide students an atmosphere that supports connection, access, authenticity, and sense of belonging. This role works to ensure students receive accurate, timely, and holistic advising to promote student success, retention, and persistence.
Position Type Staff/Administrative
Pay Basis Annual
FLSA Exempt
Contingent Upon Funding No
Is this position eligible for employment sponsorship, (H1B or PERM)? No
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, sociology, ethnic & racial studies, or related field.
- Minimum of one-year experience of demonstrated ability to work with low income, first generation, transfer, multicultural and/or racially diverse students in an educational setting.
- Experience coordinating and facilitating small group discussions.
- Experience working with event planning, organizing, marketing and communication strategies, and working with multiple stakeholders on projects
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and community members, especially when working with student leaders
- Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Experience applying diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in related work.
- Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team
- Bilingual in English/Spanish, Hmong, or other languages
- Master's degree in education, student affairs and higher education, or related field.
- Experience with training and/or development
- Experience working with financial aid programs.
- Strong computer proficiency with Peoplesoft, Canvas, and EAB Navigate
UWL provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact or 608.785.8013. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.All position descriptions are required to provide physical demands and working conditions/environment and may not be published in the job announcement. For information on the physical demands and/or working conditions/environment for this position, please contact Human Resources at or 608.785.8013
Working conditions and environmentOffice setting
Miscellaneous InformationInformation about your benefits
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university.
Highlights include:
- excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.
- paid holidays and sick days.
- sick leave may be converted at retirement to pay for health insurance post-work at UWL.
- after 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.
- benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a top-rated, comprehensive University of Wisconsin campus, located in the beautiful Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. Known for scholarship, academic rigor, physical activity and a close-knit community, UWL remains dedicated to its century-old mission to train the whole person - “the mind and body.”UWL has earned a strong reputation nationally for factors such as graduation rates, return on investment and great outcomes for low-income students. It is the No. 2 public college in Wisconsin on Forbes' 2023 America's Top Colleges list. And it is Wisconsin's top-ranked public university with fewer than 25,000 students, according to U.S. News & World Report's list of the Best National Universities.UWL offers 130-plus degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in the arts, social sciences and humanities; science and health; business; and education. UWL has three colleges: the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Science & Health, as well as the School of Education and the School of Visual & Performing Arts. UWL has about 447 full-time faculty and instructional academic staff, including 82% with doctoral or terminal degrees.UWL has strong student success programs that have contributed to a strong retention rate. This fall, students returned to UWL at one of the highest rates on record with 86.5% of the 2022-23 first-year class retained - the highest mark in a decade and the fifth-highest mark in the past 50 years.UW-La Crosse's strategic plan Sustaining Excellence continues to move our community forward through its four pillars: increasing community engagement, achieving excellence through equity and diversity, investing in our people, and advancing transformational education. More information about the ongoing work of Sustaining Excellence is available at www.uwlax.edu/info/strategic-plan.The UW-La Crosse campus is in southwestern Wisconsin, nestled in a residential area of the City of La Crosse and positioned as part of a larger metro area with a population close to 140,000. The area, known as the 7 Rivers Region, is famous for its exceptional natural beauty, which includes the Mississippi River on one side, majestic bluffs on the other, and views of rolling farmland and forested valleys in between. Abundant water, woodlands and varying terrain provide ample opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation. Only a couple of hours from Minneapolis or Madison, La Crosse enjoys the affordability and charm of small- town living with larger city benefits. Three colleges, two world-class medical institutions, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, a restored 19th century downtown business district, and a number of galleries and art centers have made La Crosse a regional center for culture, entertainment, medical care, shopping, sports and recreation. More information about the La Crosse metro area can be found at Explore La Crosse and Choose La Crosse.Learn more about UW-La Crosse here: https://www.uwlax.edu/human-resources/services/talent-acquisition-and-employment/finalist-welcome/AA/EO Statement
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. We strongly encourage women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. UWL, in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status.DEI Statement
UW-La Crosse's diversity and inclusion efforts are guided by our adherence to Inclusive Excellence. We define Inclusive Excellence as “… our active, intentional and ongoing commitment to bridge differences with understanding and respect so all can thrive." The goals of Inclusive Excellence are to increase the retention of diverse faculty, staff, and students while encouraging a campus climate that is inviting and welcoming to all. UW-La Crosse strives to promote acceptance of all facets of diversity from racial/ethnic diversity to diversity of thought and experience. UW-La Crosse ranks 6th nationally among the Top LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges for 2018-19 by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (ACO).Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9999.
Redbook Position Yes
Division/College Diversity and Inclusion
Description of College / Department / Program / Division / UnitThe primary role of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion is to ensure that diversity, in its many forms, is understood, respected, and valued. The Division advocates for access, equity and inclusion while encouraging critical dialogue, thinking, and meaningful educational interactions on campus and in the community. The Division includes the following departments: Campus Climate, ACCESS Center, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Student Services, Pride Center, Student Support Services, and Upward Bound.Posting Detail InformationPosting Detail InformationPosting Date 04/19/2024
Continuous Recruitment Yes
Continuous Recruitment First Review Date 05/10/2024
Close Date
Special InstructionsApplication deadlines
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed 'First Review Date'. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources.Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.CBC & Reference Check Policy
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Position Contact Name Vickie Sanchez
Position Contact Email vsanchez@uwlax.edu