Academic Success & Retention Coordinator

Beginning August 2024

POSITION SUMMARY. Loras College seeks a dynamic, creative, and collaborative educator to serve as the next Academic Success & Retention Coordinator. The Academic Success and Retention Coordinator provides leadership for the development, implementation, and on-going management of activities and initiatives that provide academic support to Loras College students from enrollment to graduation. The Coordinator engages directly with students to provide one on one and group advising, counseling, and academic support and teaches courses to support student success. Reporting to the Associate Provost, the Coordinator collaborates with Academic Affairs and Student Development to improve overall retention and degree completion and to develop programming that supports academically at-risk students.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Academic Success & Retention Coordinator

• Provides strategic direction and leadership for the Learning Commons (academic support center) and academic support initiatives.
• Provides individualized and group advising and educational programming to assist students in developing strategies for academic success (e.g. time management, critical reading, note-taking, test preparation, organization, etc.).
• Teaches college success courses for at risk students.
• Ensures all programming is in compliance with college policies, FERPA guidelines, and other applicable laws related to education.
• Coordinates the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. Provides training and supervision of student supplemental instructors, assists faculty in understanding and implementing best practices for the use of SI, manages the SI program budget, and evaluates program effectiveness to facilitate continuous improvements in support of student learning.
• Stays current on emerging research and best practices for academic support and retention.
• Provides leadership and oversight for the growth and further development of the DuRise academic recovery program.
• Gathers and analyzes data to evaluate services and inform the direction and growth of academic success programming.

• Manages, provides training and support for, and reports on findings from the college's Early Alert System (Beacon). Facilitates Student Success Team meetings and oversees follow-up to alerts raised by community members.

• Serves on the Retention and First-year Experience committees. Contributes/serves on other committees as needed and engages a titled member of the Loras faculty.
• Serves as a resource for faculty and advisors on effectively working with students who encounter academic challenges.
• In coordination with related offices, develops and implements targeted intervention strategies for students at risk for academic failure.
• Promotes student use of academic resources and services provided in the Learning Commons.
• Advises students considering separation from the college about options and processes for withdrawal.
• Supports the mission and vision of the College and respects the College's Catholic tradition.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS.

Education: Requires a Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years prior related experience in academic advising/support, student services, teaching, retention, and/or academic planning. Teaching experience and experience in a post-secondary setting preferred.

Other Requirements: Must have knowledge of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), familiarity with student success and retention strategies, and best practices for supporting at-risk populations. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of evidence-based advising and student academic support services preferred.

Must be proficient in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook and have experience or ability to learn other campus technology systems (e.g. SharePoint, Moodle, Anthology, Colleague Self-Service).

COMPENSATION. Commensurate with qualifications, education and experience. Fringe benefits include medical/dental/life/disability insurance, flexible spending plan, TIAA-CREF retirement plan, and tuition remission program, membership at Wellness Center and Graber Sports Center/San Jose Pool, free admission to many college events and free off-street parking.

THE COLLEGE. Founded in 1839, Loras College is a Catholic, four-year, coeducational, liberal arts institution that includes pre-professional and career preparation and is dedicated to high academic, ethical and moral standards. The Loras College community embraces the core values of truth, respect, responsibility excellence, and service that define the way we work, behave, and relate with others. These values align with our college mission: Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers and responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles. The student body consists of approximately 1,300 students, over 90 percent of whom are full-time undergraduates. The college is a wireless, laptop campus and there will be opportunity for developing technology-rich, interdisciplinary courses for the general education curriculum.

THE COMMUNITY. Loras College's 60-acre campus is located on one of Dubuque's highest bluffs, overlooking the Mississippi River at the junction of the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, about 3 hours west of Chicago. Dubuque's population is approximately 60,000 and its nineteenth century architecture is woven into limestone bluffs and provides a picturesque backdrop to the river landscape. Many residential and commercial areas have been designated as historical districts to preserve Dubuque's unique heritage. Its strong education base supports numerous cultural activities, and in addition, there are sporting events, shopping facilities, schools, and churches that are convenient to its residents. The climate has marked seasons with a comfortable summer, cool spring and fall, and a winter that encourages a variety of sports that have in recent years attracted a growing tourism industry.

APPLICATION DEADLINE. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. For more information contact Dr. Sara Glover, Associate Provost, at Sara.Glover@loras.edu.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE. Applicants must go to: http://loras.iapplicants.com to apply. Please upload: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references. References will not be contacted without prior approval from the candidate. The finalist will need to pass a background check before receiving a written employment offer.

Loras College is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an educational and work environment that is inclusive, rich in diversity, and supportive of all students, faculty, staff. Individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Please visit www.loras.edu for additional information about Loras College.