Reporting to the Director of TRIO Student Support Services, the Retention Specialist (working title SSS Advisor) assesses and provides retention activities and services to college students who are first generation, students who meet federal low-income criteria, and students with disabilities in individual, group, classroom, and electronic formats. The SSS Advisor manages a caseload of 120 students in identifying obstacles which affect retention, academic progress, and degree completion. The SSS Advisor provides individualized support and resources that align with student academic needs through an enhancement of services to overcome barriers to college success. The SSS Advisor monitor students' academic progress through Blumen, Access Stout, EAB Navigate, Stellic, and individual student meetings. The SSS Advisor provides resources and training that enhance academic skills, leadership skills, career planning, graduate school exploration and financial aid and literacy education. The SSS Advisor provides comprehensive advising and case management through communication and collaboration with Stout departments, resources, and community providers to create a climate of student success fully and effectively.?
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Maintain regular communication with a caseload of 120 TRIO SSS participants.
- Provide holistic advising to support academic, personal, financial, and career goal achievement.
- Monitor academic performance, FAFSA completion, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and student business accounts (including holds, due dates, and fees/fines).
- Collaborate with participants to assess needs, develop Individual Student Success Plans, and track progress toward goal completion.
- Instruct, as needed, a total of 2 credits of TRIO SSS project courses, which may include TRDIS 120 – Strategies for Academic Success (2 credits) or TRDIS 121 – Strategies for Successful Career Development (1 credit each).
- Ensure program compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies by providing accurate documentation, providing required and permissible services, and meeting program objectives.
- Enter participant data, services, and records into the TRIO SSS project database to fulfill U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements.
- Partner with college departments, faculty, tutors, and academic support staff to advocate for participants and address identified academic needs.
Department:
UW-Stout’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program provides supplemental academic support and services for its 550 student participants. The department strives to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation students, students who meet federal low-income criteria, and students with disabilities. The department is funded by three federal TRIO grants: Student Support Services, Student Support Services: Disability, and Student Support Services: STEM.
Funding for this position is contingent upon federal funding.
Compensation:
Minimum starting base salary of $47,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is an 11-month position with a short break in July. A six-month probationary period is required.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree required in higher education, social work, education, counseling, educational leadership, or related fields.
- Minimum of (2) years of experience advising and assisting Student Support Services eligible students (first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities) with academic advising, financial aid information and processes, economic literacy, and career development/obtainment
- Professional/Personal experience or knowledge of overcoming barriers similar to project participants?(first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities)
- Formal training and/or work experience in programming that promotes the annual retention, persistence, academic standing and graduation rates of Student Support Services eligible students?
- Formal training and/or work experience in serving students with disabilities (examples: knowledge/experience of the accommodations process, knowledge or implementation of universal design, and/or knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Demonstrated success working within a team environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in higher education, social work, education, counseling, educational leadership or related fields from an accredited college or university??
- Professional experience working with a TRIO federal program or similar related program/project???
- Experience instructing courses or workshops in academic success skills content?
- Experience with database and engagement platforms and software such as: Blumen, PeopleSoft, Canvas, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite, EAB Navigate, Stellic
How to Apply:
Complete applications received by end of day, July 15, 2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after July 15, 2026 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.
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.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Sarah Wynn, Interim Director of TRIO Student Support Services
Email: wynns@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: Hannah Schaaf
Email: schaafha@uwstout.edu
