PT Student Engagement and Retention Specialist

• Coordinate and lead planning efforts for the annual Back-to-School Bash.
• Collaborate with campus departments, student organizations, and community partners to develop event programming.
• Coordinate logistics including vendor communication, promotional activities, event schedules, and student participation.
• Assess event participation and student feedback to improve future engagement opportunities.

• Organize and staff Welcome Tents during the first week of each semester.
• Provide new and returning students with information regarding campus resources, services, and upcoming events.
• Serve as a visible and approachable point of contact to answer student questions and facilitate connections with support services.
• Coordinate volunteers and campus partners participating in Welcome Tent activities.

• Plan and coordinate the annual End-of-Year Student Celebration recognizing student involvement, achievements, and persistence.
• Work collaboratively with Student Affairs and campus departments to develop event programming and recognition opportunities.
• Promote student participation and collect event assessment data to measure student engagement outcomes.

• Monitor and provide outreach to the early alert student lists at the beginning of each semester.
• Conduct proactive outreach to students identified as high risk based on academic, financial, enrollment, or engagement indicators.
• Contact students prior to enrollment cancellation deadlines to address barriers and encourage enrollment completion.
• Manage and support outreach efforts related to institutional retention reports.
• Develop intervention plans and track student responses and outcomes.

• Partner with Academic Advising to coordinate intervention efforts for students at risk of stopping out or withdrawing.
• Conduct triage calls, emails, and text outreach to assess student needs and connect them with appropriate campus resources.
• Assist students with navigating issues related to registration, financial aid, academic concerns, and institutional processes.
• Support targeted retention campaigns before census, drop, and withdrawal deadlines.
• Promote participation in engagement opportunities that strengthen students’ connection to the institution.

• Maintain accurate records of outreach attempts, student contacts, engagement activities, and intervention outcomes within institutional systems.
• Track student participation in engagement programs and follow-up support services.
• Prepare reports on outreach efforts, event participation, student needs, and retention outcomes.
• Analyze student engagement data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Work closely with Advising, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, faculty, and student organizations to coordinate support services and engagement opportunities.
• Attend retention and student success meetings and contribute strategic recommendations based on student trends and outreach results.
• Serve as a resource for students requiring assistance navigating institutional services.
• Support cross-departmental efforts that enhance student belonging and persistence.

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

• Experience working with students in higher education, advising, student activities, enrollment services, or customer service environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and events while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to manage sensitive student information with confidentiality.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Social Work, Communications, Event Management, or a related field.
• Experience planning events, student programs, or engagement initiatives preferred.
• Experience with student information systems, CRM platforms, retention software, or event management systems preferred.

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.