Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking candidates who are eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth. We are especially interested in and give preference to candidates who demonstrate a vision to create and nurture initiatives that will advance our mission within the scope of their duties and who will foster a culture of dialogue that, with respect for all people, supports the search for meaning and purpose in pursuit of excellence.

Job Summary

The Student Retention Specialist at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota supports student persistence and academic success through proactive outreach, intervention, and mentoring within the Student Success Center. This position leads the Early Alert Intervention System by reviewing faculty and staff submissions, researching student concerns, and implementing targeted strategies to promote academic well-being while maintaining detailed documentation. Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Success, this position serves in a part time capacity during the academic year, with additional opportunities for work in the summer months.

Salary Range: $20 - $22 / hour

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the Early Alert Intervention System; identifying, researching, and responding to student alert submissions from faculty and staff across campus; applying various intervention strategies to improve student’s academic well-being and meticulously documenting processes
• Monitor and intervene with students on the non-registered student report and the part time student report
• Meet with students to address personal and academic needs, serving as a mentor 
• Serve as an advisor for the Academic Success Program (ASP) 
• Conduct outreach to students experiencing challenges

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve on the retention committee in an administrative capacity, assisting with special projects as committee requires 
• Assist with departmental programs, such as Countdown to College, New Student Orientation, Welcome Weekend, First Five Weeks, and First Generation Initiative programming 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about academic program requirements, admissions procedures, payment and withdrawal deadlines, and graduation requirements

Experience and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, psychology, or a related field.

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working directly with college students in an academic advising, student support, or retention-focused capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to develop supportive relationships with diverse student populations.
• Familiarity with academic policies, student development principles, and retention strategies in higher education.
• Experience using student information systems or early alert tools to monitor student progress and coordinate outreach.

Physical Demands

• Light work. Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities.

Physical Hazards – Health and Safety Concerns

• General office environments

Apply online at: https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.