Job Duties:
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.
The retention specialist will report to the MSS Director.?
Official UW Title (Code) / Job Description Retention Specialist AE107?
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 an academic success plan, 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 are expected.
- Other duties as assigned.
Focus Area:
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.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Partners with academic advisors, faculty, staff, students, and administrative personnel to track analytics, and help identify risk indicators to support data-informed retention and transfer strategies
- Monitors, plans, and facilitates student academic progress, student programming, and success plans
- Makes recommendations to improve retention efforts
- Advocates for campus-wide retention initiatives
- Provides referrals to appropriate campus resources
- Maintains accurate student records including contact logs, case notes, and files
- Adheres to the established plan of operation, curriculum, process policy, program procedures, and all other related federal regulations
- Communicates, assists, and monitors progress of students
- May assist with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and/or provide financial aid/scholarship information
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree
- Demonstrated experience working with individuals from all 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 Qualifications:
- 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 databases (i.e. PeopleSoft, Navigate or similar systems) and Microsoft Office Suite?
How to Apply:
Completed applications received by August 31st, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications submitted after this date 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.
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: 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
Guidelines to ensure consideration:
- Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required application materials.
- Within your cover letter address each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications specified for this position. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.
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.
- Employee Benefits: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/
- To calculate the estimated value of your total compensation, use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)
Final candidates with previous employment within the Universities of Wisconsin and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.
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
EEO Statement
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Campus Information
The University of Wisconsin-Stout is a career-focused polytechnic university emphasizing applied learning and research. UW-Stout is known for the annual career success of its graduates, with 99% employed or continuing their education upon graduation. To learn more about what we stand for—visit UW-Stout’s Mission & Values
Do More, Achieve More. Enhancing Collaboration at UW-Stout.
At UW-Stout, we have a community of problem-solvers, experts, and thought leaders. Our 1,300+ staff members don't just work alongside each other; they are neighbors, project partners, and friends. Our faculty enjoy intimate classroom settings, with an average size of 24 students for lecture halls and 18 students for hands-on labs. Get involved with dozens of working groups, governance, and committee opportunities to continue making our campus better and stronger.
At UW-Stout, you will join a vibrant community of passionate educators and support staff who impact our students' lives and our society at large. UW-Stout offers a wide range of positions for faculty, both tenure-track and adjunct, as well as for administrators, managers, professional and support staff. UW-Stout is a gold-level certified employer recognized by Family Friendly Workplaces. We offer exceptional benefits and a rewarding academic environment. We call ourselves #StoutProud, and we are looking for talented individuals to join our team. We offer exceptional benefits and a rewarding academic environment.
