Associate Director for Persistence Initiatives

Associate Director for Persistence Initiatives

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months Per Year: 12

Employment Status: Full-Time

Work Model: Hybrid Available

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Position Description

Under the general direction of the Senior Director of University Advising, the Associate Director for Persistence Initiatives focuses on improving and monitoring student persistence at Seattle University. This position takes a lead role in coordinating a university-wide effort to develop and implement identification, referral, and intervention strategies to support students facing barriers to success. These students may include first-year students, transfer students, international students (including English Language Culture Bridge students), adult students, veterans, first generation students, low-income students, BIPOC students, and students who are parents. This position guides the university in removing systemic obstacles to student persistence by working closely with relevant academic and other university personnel to accompany students as they navigate potential barriers to persistence at the university.

Essential Functions:

Coordination of Campus Persistence Initiatives - 40%

• Collect, analyze, and report student persistence/satisfaction data and compare it to internal benchmarks and national/peer institution data.
• Design and implement wrap around support program for students with risk factors of attrition.
• Coordinate and support advising centers with regular student outreach, including outreach to nonregistered and under-registered students, congratulatory communication when students do well, and support communications to students who are not meeting academic benchmarks.
• Manage student academic early alert and coordinate response.
• Assist academic departments as needed with persistence-oriented services such as building community, revising complicated practices, expanding accessibility, etc.
• Develop and implement campus wide initiatives in response to persistence related student needs.
• Coordinate and conduct exit interviews of students who decide to leave the university.

Direct Service to Students - 40%

• Develop and provide direct services to students to implement university retention plans.
• Facilitate mandatory services (such as orientation, check in meetings, etc.) for students eligible for the Redhawk Challenge Grant each fall.
• Identify and provide direct outreach to students who may be at risk of leaving the university. Coach students on financial resources and options. Provide referrals to campus partners when appropriate.
• Coordinate with academic divisions, student development and other campus partners to remove structural barriers and help students navigate the university. Identify and remedy issues via collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop and coordinate reengagement efforts for students who are on leave of absence (SLOA), have withdrawn, and/or stopped out.

University Advising Office Leadership and Supervision - 20%

• Participate in University Advising staff meetings and initiatives.
• Supervise Student Academic Persistence Graduate Assistant. Coordinate hiring process for the GA role.
• Build partnerships with on and off-campus organizations that can help support students (College Success Foundation, City of Seattle, community-based organizations, etc.)
• Serve on campus committees as assigned.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A commitment to identifying and addressing structures and systems that impede historically excluded students from completing their educational goals.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and experience working with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Three years’ experience or more in advising, college access, TRiO, student retention programs, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database management, report preparation and analysis.
• Exemplary written and oral communication.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, problem-solve, collaborate, and work independently.
• Effective listening, probing, and assessment skills.
• Master's degree in student development, counseling, social work, education, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using student tracking databases.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance:

Salary Range: $68,000 - $72,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance:

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

To apply: https://apptrkr.com/4429536