Manage
Others
No
Description
SUMMARY STATEMENT
The Retention Specialist
works in direct relationship with the students, providing proactive and intrusive services in advising in course selection, making
educational plans, and assisting in potential career and transfer possibilities. The Retention Specialist plays a significant role in the
onboarding process for new students and is responsible for the retention of assigned students via outreach to those at risk of drop-out and
departure. The Retention Specialist also provides general academic advisement to walk-in and general studies students (as
needed).
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
A. The Retention Specialist reports directly to and is responsible
to the Manager of Retention & Registration
B. The Retention Specialist coordinates most closely with students, other Retention
Specialists, Retention & Registration Assistants, college faculty and staff to include Financial Aid and Records, Finance, Admissions and
Enrollment Management, Disability Support Services, TRIO, CPA, BIT/CARE team, Developmental Education, the Testing Center, Washington County
Public High Schools, and outside social service agencies.
DUTIES
A. Provides proactive College onboarding
and academic advisement for new students, including Early College Access students who are dually enrolled.
1. Initiates contact
with new students shortly upon their acceptance to HCC and guides through onboarding steps; responsible for seeing new students through
onboarding process to ensure they are ready for classes.
2. Interpret SAT, ACT, and Hagerstown Community College placement test
results.
3. Interpret courses, grades, and codes listed on high school and college transcripts.
4. Explain information
in the college catalog regarding degree, certificate, and letter of recognition program requirements.
5. Explain college policies
and procedures to students based on individual needs.
6. Assist students in scheduling and registration of courses.
7.
Assist students in understanding general information about the transfer process by providing accurate information
8. Assist
students in career planning and development.
9. Guide students in the use of online academic advising resources, including student
email, Self-Service, and D2L.
10. Develop academic plans with a student based on their career/major choice and assist the student
in uploading the plan to Self-Service.
11. Explain financial aid rules and regulations.
12. Refer assigned students to
faculty advisors during their first semester at HCC; coordinate with faculty advisors as needed
13. Refer students to appropriate
offices on campus when needed.
14. Participates in office general academic advising and retention rotation for walk-in students or
general studies students, as needed.
B. Provides targeted support, interventions and outreach to students at risk of drop-out or
departure.
1. Facilitate strategic one-to-one sessions to help students identify concerns and build their own capacity for academic
success.
2. Provides ongoing encouragement, support and tapping into students’ personal goals and intrinsic motivation to aid in
student success.
3. Refer students to learning support services and follow-up as needed.
4. Refer student cases to the
BIT/CARE team for non-academic support as needed.
C. Monitor degree audits and progress of assigned students throughout their
academic career at HCC, intervening when challenges arise by providing resources and assistance when appropriate.
D. Communicate
and provide proactive outreach with assigned students, specifically in the instances where students have not registered for a given
semester, documenting issues and challenges that are prohibiting a student from registering and problem solving appropriately.
E.
Respond, assist, monitor, and communicate with student cases that have been submitted via the college’s early alert processes;
appropriately document for confidential sharing of information.
F. Assist students with registration questions and with navigating
Self-Service’s registration functions, as needed, in the registration lab.
G. Submit written reports each semester on progress of
assigned students, identifying common challenges and documenting best practices that can assist others.
H. Serve as a point of
contact/liaison for one or more of the academic divisions on campus, providing updates to each division about retention and registration
initiatives and programs.
I. Serves the college, as requested, on special committees.
J. Performs other duties as
assigned.
Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree
required, preferably in Education or Social Work. Master’s degree preferred. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience
working with students in a higher education setting; knowledge and experience working with a student database system is essential (i.e.
Datatel). Ability to develop relationships and maintain best practices for proactive and intrusive student success
guidance.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Interpersonal skills to guide students in their academic decision-making;
excellent organizational and planning skills in dealing with the career and transfer student population; advising and communication skills
to deal effectively with students, faculty, staff, coaches, and community leaders.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Normal
office environment with some need to work a flex schedule to address the needs of day, evening and weekend
students.
Summary
APPLICATION DEADLINE
This position is considered
open until filled. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled and considered closed.
Hagerstown
Community College is committed to the recruitment, selection, hiring and retention of a diverse workforce.
