Retention and Student Development Professional

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire:

• Bachelors degree in education counseling student affairs in higher education social work or related field from an accredited college/university is required.
• Experienceproviding advising mentoring or academic support focusing on student success and retention is required.
• Experience supervising student and/or professional staff is required.
• Masters degree in education counseling student affairs in higher education social work or related field from an accredited college/university is required.
• Experience working with low-income first-generation students and students with disabilities who are academically under-prepared is preferred.
• Experience developing effective advising and mentoring relationships with students is preferred.
• Experience presenting or teaching groups of students is preferred.
• Experience coordinating and tracking student referrals to campus resources is preferred.
• Experience gathering analyzing and interpreting programmatic data is preferred.

Retention and Student Development Professional

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate Inspire and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence research and community engagement and is actively seeking a Retention and Student Development Professional to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence professional development and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenerya mosaic of history arts and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

This position is funded by a US Department of Education TRiO Student Support Services grant awarded September 2025 and is contingent upon availability of continued annual funding for an estimated five years.

Salary Range:$46077 - $59454 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-site

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS our employees are our most valued asset. Were proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days 10 sick days paid parental leave 13 recognized holidays and provisions for bereavement jury duty and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost including a yearly mental health visit. Plus benefit from affordable dental vision plans and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings flexible spending accounts and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail twelve waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation Use ourcalculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The Retention & Student Development Program Manager for the UCCS TRiO Student Support Services Program is responsible for coordinating all student programming mentoring and academic support tracking to ensure objectives are met for this U.S. Department of Education grant-funded collaboration with the Project Director this role is responsible for supporting strong student engagement and delivering holistic and effective support services to 140 eligible college students with a range of academic needs who are first-generation low-income students and/or have a disability. This position supervises and oversees the work of two part-time Graduate Assistants in specific areas of peer advocacy and student data tracking to support student retention development and persistence and the SSS Projects collection documentation compilation reporting and use of data to drive continuous improvement in SSS Project outcomes.

The duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

• Plan organize oversee and facilitate summer transitional orientation and assist with planning for Intensive Summer Bridge GPS first year seminar course for incoming SSS students
• Coordinate and present workshops on academic social financial and emotional support topics for students
• Supervise Peer Advocate Graduate Assistant in the coordination of the Peer Advocate program for first year sophomore and new transfer students
• Supervise Student Retention & Data Graduate Assistant in coordination of tracking student usage of campus resources
• Provide academic and career advising assistance with the financial aid process and Academic Success Plan development to a caseload of approximately 60 SSS students
• Develop effective collaborative relationships with campus partners and maintain communication about programmatic and referral resource updates
• Assist with screening and selection of program participants
• Collaborate with the Project Director to implement the grant
• Compile data for weekly monthly and annual Project reports using Student Access or similar databaseensuring that student data files are complete and up to date
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by:January 9th 2026.
• Potential interview dates:Week of January 15th 2026.
• Potential start date: February 1st 2026.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.