Student Affairs - Director of Student Care & Retention Initiatives

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

View SHU’s Faculty Experts Here

To apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions. 

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The Coordinator for Student Care and Retention Initiatives serves as the central point of coordination for students experiencing challenges impacting their wellbeing, academic performance, or engagement. The Coordinator ensures students receive timely, appropriate interventions and follow-up, helping them overcome barriers and remain on track toward their academic and personal goals.

As Chair of the Student Care Team (SCT), the Coordinator oversees case flow, leads case review meetings, and fosters collaboration among campus partners. The Coordinator also plays a key role in institutional retention efforts by using data‑informed strategies, proactive outreach, and collaborative follow-up supported through systems such as Maxient and CRM Advise.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Chairs the Student Care Team (SCT), including preparing agendas, facilitating case discussions, guiding decision‑making, and coordinating follow‑up actions:

• Ensures consistent application of best practices in student support and case management.
• Maintains strong communication with SCT members and university partners to support coordinated care for students of concern.

Case Management and Student Support:

• Provides intake, triage, and case management for students facing medical, mental health, academic, behavioral, social, or family-related challenges.
• Uses Maxient as the primary platform for documenting cases, tracking outreach, monitoring student progress, and coordinating follow-up.
• Meets individually with students to identify needs, develop action plans, facilitate referrals, and ensure ongoing support.
• Reviews campus reporting sources, including Maxient submissions, early alerts, and student concern reports, to identify students needing proactive intervention.
• Communicates with faculty, staff, families, and other campus community members as appropriate to provide updates or receive relevant information

Retention & Academic Continuity Initiatives

• Supports institutional retention strategy through the use of CRM Advise, analyzing data to identify at‑risk students and patterns affecting student success.
• Conducts targeted outreach informed by CRM Advise alerts, predictive indicators, and engagement metrics.
• Documents retention‑related follow‑up and communication using CRM Advise while ensuring harmony between academic support data and wellbeing case management housed in Maxient.
• Produces reports and summaries on student trends, emerging needs, and retention‑related themes for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs leadership.

Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with key campus partners.

• Ensures compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, ADA, Title IX, VAWA, Clery, and all institutional protocols related to student support, crisis response, and data handling.

Represents the Dean of Students office on committees, task forces and divisional initiatives.

• Represents the Dean of Students Office at orientation programs, information sessions, and campus initiatives related to student success and wellbeing.
• Participates in Student Affairs committees, task forces, and divisional initiatives.
• Supports assessment and continuous improvement efforts related to student care, retention, and student support services.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Social Work, Public Health, or related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of experience in student support, case management, counseling, advising, crisis response, or similar student‑facing roles.
• Knowledge of student development theory, case management models, and crisis intervention best practices.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and applying culturally responsive approaches.
• Strong judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across campus departments.
• Familiarity with case management platforms (Maxient) and student success/retention platforms (CRM Advise).

Unusual Working Conditions

Requires some weekend and evening hours.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.