Easter Seals Jobs

Working/Functional Title

Access and Retention Specialist

Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic work environment where individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The Office of Institutional Access (OIA) in the College of Social Science Dean's Office seeks an Access and Retention Specialist. This position will collaborate with unit, college, and university student support and advising offices to increase support for students who have been historically underserved, have limited resources, and face opportunity gaps, including but not limited to Pell-eligible and first-generation students. The specialist will increase the retention of underserved students for the College of Social Science. Additionally, the specialist will help build a new fresh start and first-generation student program. This position focuses on managing collaborative engagement with students, promoting inclusion, retention, persistence, and student success through proactive interactions and academic interventions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Student Support and Retention: Provide guidance and resources to improve student retention and success.
2. Academic and Holistic Support: Deliver comprehensive support services addressing student well-being.
3. Data Collection and Analysis: Track and analyze student progress to inform interventions and program improvements.
4. Program Development and Coordination: Design, implement, and oversee programs aimed at enhancing student outcomes.
5. Collaborative Outreach: Partner with campus and community stakeholders to support student success initiatives.
6. Professional Development and Training: Facilitate training for staff, faculty, and graduate student Teaching Assistants on best practices for student retention and support.
7. Policy Development and Advocacy: Advocate for policies that promote equitable access and retention for all students.
8. Represent OIA in collaboration with the College of Social Science Undergraduate Education Office for purposes of student retention.
9. Enhance the quality of students' academic experiences through effective communication with individuals and groups from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Advising

Student Support and Retention Initiatives:

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive and proactive student retention strategies, advising, and mentoring programs, particularly for underrepresented student populations that face opportunity gaps.
• Collaborate with academic advisors, faculty, graduate student teaching assistants, and staff to identify students who need additional academic or personal support, ensuring early intervention and consistent follow-up.
• Coordinate mentoring and peer support programs, including the creation of a new Fresh Start program for students on pre-, academic probation, and post probation and the new First GEN program for first-generation students.
• Work collaboratively with college advisors and units across the campus, including the Office of Undergraduate Education (e.g., Undergraduate Student Success, Pathway Programs, CAMP, Undergraduate Research), FAME, Spartan One Stop, and other units/committees dedicated to student success.
• Collaborate with Student Success in providing access and retention programs like transition services for new students, tutoring, study skills workshops, and other academic enrichment initiatives.

Policy Development and Advocacy:

Contribute to the development of policies and procedures that enhance access, equity, and student success across the College of Social Science.

Serve as an advocate for underreprese