Freshman Outreach and Retention Specialist

Position Summary

The College of Business at Metropolitan State University of Denver is hiring a Freshman Outreach and Retention Specialist (FORS), supported by President Janine Davidson's commitment to ensuring all students are valued members of the learning community at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

The College of Business, in service to our mission of engaging a diverse student population with an inclusive educational experience to become successful business professionals, seeks to increase student learning and retention through purposeful and planned interaction and engagement with new freshman. The incumbent of the FORS position will work directly and collaboratively with staff and faculty within the College of Business to ensure that challenges to student persistence and success are identified, solutions to the challenges are developed, and resources for students are gathered in attempts to implement solutions and alleviate issues impeding student success.

The FORS will enable the College of Business to proactively identify and address barriers to student progress, gather and deliver data related to barriers to institutional parties equipped to examine broader, institutional barriers to success, and provide an additional direct point of contact for student facing challenges in their early days at MSU Denver.This position reports to the College of Business Academic Advising Coordinator.

MSU Denver enrolls over 17,000 students, where nearly 60% are first generation and over 55% are students of color. Located in downtown Denver, we are a designated (HSI), an INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity () Award winner for 10 consecutive years, and the only certified institution in Colorado. As the third largest institution of higher education in Colorado and the only institution with an open access mission, MSU Denver is a model university for today's college students. The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students. MSU Denver is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for under-represented and historically minoritized groups.

Responsibilities

Proactive Student Retention - 60%

• In collaboration with freshman level faculty, identify high risk students through early intervention and use strategies in retention, student development, and proactive advising of outreach to these students.
• Identifies students who are out of academic standing compliance and coordinates with the student's academic advisor to design a customized resolution plan that adheres to programmatic course sequencing rules as well as Departmental and University policies and procedures.
• Meets with students who are struggling in classes and/or academically and identifies and coordinates a support team and intervention.
• Connects students to resources within department to aid in success, including faculty advisors, scholarships and tutoring services.
• Aids in the development of new student services as needed.
• Aids in improving students' successful educational strategies such as effective study habits, time management skills, and supportive educational environment development.
• Plans and executes effective strategies and programs, including early intervention strategies, to enhance retention and student success
• Participates in on-campus and virtual orientation at the discretion of the CBUS Advising Coordinator.
• Assists students with social and academic transitions
• Utilizes Student Success Collaborative Campus (SSC Campus), Banner, Degree Works, and other systems to optimize communication and collaboration between students, faculty advisors, professional advisors, and the larger University.
• Prepares and maintains advising documentation in the current student success/customer management system.
• Engages with University student support resources such as CARE reports, Office of Graduate Studies, the Counseling Center and other areas.

Program Development - 25%

• Collects, interprets, and maintains college-specific data related to student retention and graduation rates.
• Leverages technology to monitor student data and faculty feedback to proactively support students and to develop retention programs and initiatives designed to close equity gaps and achieve student success outcomes.
• Works with college-based student success team to ensure data is input, maintained, and used to develop effective strategies and interventions.
• Receives and analyzes early alert campaign data to identify issues or at-risk students.
• Communicates with chairs and deans consistently to keep stakeholders apprised of constant or emerging barriers to student success.
• Develops effective programming and coordinate events and services to support student development, out-of-classroom learning, and academic progress.
• Researches, identifies, and develops retention programming that supports students to develop a sense of belonging, and an academic identity, and to explore strengths, interests, passions, etc.
• Coordinates and implements program activities which enhance student engagement, academic success, retention, and graduation of eligible students.
• Liaises with University student support stakeholders and resources such as Student Affairs, CARE reports, Office of Graduate Studies, the Counseling Center and other areas to coordinate and collaborate on retention activities.

Financial Aid Liaison - 10%

• Liaises with Financial Aid Advisors to assist students in understanding the financial aid process, eligibility, need analysis, awards, disbursement, federal/state institutional policy, and the rights and responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
• When requested by the Dean, participates in financial aid and scholarship outreach events,FAFSAcompletion events and other on- and off-campus outreach events, or organize such events for CBUS students/applicants.
• Liaises with Financial Aid Advisors to problem-solve for CBUS aid applicants or current CBUS students, including resolving FAFSA comment codes and rejects, verification and file review, packaging aid revisions, adjusting student budgets, correcting over awards, professional judgment appeals, monitoring students satisfactory academic progress.
• Liaises with Financial Aid Advisors for CBUS aid applicants or CBUS students to assess the student's ability to pay for education expenses by evaluating income and household reported on theFAFSAorCASFA, federal tax returns, and other financial documents.
• Liaises with Financial Aid Advisors for CBUS aid applicants or CBUS students to assist in explaining complex financial aid calculations and the results and rationale behind financial aid awarding in a simple and easy to understand manner to students.
• Liaises with Financial Aid Advisors for CBUS aid applicants or CBUS students to problem-solve for CBUS aid applicants or current CBUS students, including reviewing Professional Judgement and Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, resolvingFAFSAcomment codes and rejects, verification review, packaging aid revisions, adjusting student budgets, correcting over awards and liaising with Financial Aid advisor to correct issues.

Professionalism and Professional Development - 5%

• Supports academic advising during peak times.
• Keeps pace with changes in financial aid or bursar processes and procedures.
• Maintains active, positive relationships with the graduate departments on campus.
• Maintains knowledge of national financial aid policies and procedures (i.e., FAFSA).
• Maintains familiarity with the University's policies and procedures related to academic standards and expectations and student advancement.
• Maintains student confidentiality in accordance with University policies and state and federal laws.
• Maintains knowledge of financial aid topics including but not limited to: cost of attendance, federal need analysis, award packaging, type of aid offered, how to apply for outside scholarships, receiving outside resources, payment options, completing loan applications, loan certification, billing, disbursement dates, reapplying for aid, withdrawals, satisfactory academic progress, timelines/dates, financial aid policy and procedures, and the responsibility of receiving financial aid.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to a diverse university community (students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to relate to, network, and communicate effectively with diverse constituents
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Computer and technological proficiency including standard MS Office software applications, with the ability to learn new systems, software, and tools
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within and across teams

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university program
• Experience as a full-time academic advisor or peer mentor
• Experience using computer-based student information system(s) (e.g. Workday, Ellucian Banner, PeopleSoft, CampusVue, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with advising techniques or approaches at an accredited institution

Special Conditions Requirements

Reliable transportation is required, including to locations that may not be well-served by transit. Must possess or obtain a Valid CO Driver's License in accordance with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles, if driving a personal vehicle for university related business

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university program
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) proficiency desirable
• General knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines, and procedures
• Understanding of how to use data to tell a compelling story
• Passionate about working with college students and supporting developmental experiences
• Commitment to MSU Denver's vision to build a better, more equitable Colorado through innovative and transformative education
• Expert knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines, and procedures
• Experience working with both traditional and online programs

Work Hours/Type

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Hybrid work schedules are supported, and it is anticipated that the incumbent may have a combination of days on campus, and potentially some remote opportunities

Salary for Announcement

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $50,000 - $55,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, education, experience, specialty and training.

MSUDenver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, freeRTDpass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, please visit our Benefits section.

Instructions to Apply

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants must apply online at MSU Denver's career site, and search for JR102027. Internal applicants must apply through their MSU Denver Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'.

The following documents must be included with your application:

1. Resume

2. Cover letter addressing both 1) how your skills and experience meet the required qualifications and/or any preferred qualifications, and 2) why you are interested in this position

3. References. Please include the names and contact information for three professional references, at least one of whom is a supervisor (either current or former)

**Applicants will notice on the application portal there is one location (the resume/cover letter submission field) to upload all required materials. Multiple documents can be submitted into this one field; alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF and upload. Once submitted, you will not be able to edit your application.

Official Transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Open Until Filled

MSU Denver is pleased to offer our current and potential employees a wide array of benefit options. To learn more, please visit the following link:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at .

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.