What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Student Retention position at Western Carolina University?
The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
The Director of Student Retention provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Office of Student Retention at Western Carolina University.
The Director leads a team of twelve full-time staff members and serves as the central point of coordination for all office programs, initiatives, and interventions designed to support at-risk and underrepresented student populations. This includes:
The Director of Student Retention provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Office of Student Retention at Western Carolina University.
The Director leads a team of twelve full-time staff members and serves as the central point of coordination for all office programs, initiatives, and interventions designed to support at-risk and underrepresented student populations. This includes:
- Support for first-generation, low-income, and independent students
- Summer Bridge Programs and conditionally admitted student support
- New STEM Student Support Services TRiO grant
- First-year experience course and targeted outreach
- Academic standing and academic recovery
- First-year mentoring programs
- Additional programs supporting students from matriculation through graduation
The Director oversees day-to-day office operations, manages the office budget, and ensures accountability reporting. The Director also collaborates across campus on retention initiatives and reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success.
Minimum Qualifications
- Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.
- Master’s degree in Higher Education, Teaching, Counseling or related field
- Three years of experience in education supporting student retention and success, including student advising, teaching, or student support services
- Experience designing, implementing, or evaluating support programs for first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, or at-risk student populations, with demonstrated ability to use data to assess outcomes and drive continuous improvement
- Two or more years in a supervisory or management role with responsibility for staff, budgets, and/or strategic planning
Preferred Qualifications
- Five years of progressive experience in higher education supporting student success
- Three years of leadership within a unit and supervisory experience
- Experience with EAB Navigate, Ellucian Banner Student, and Tableau data visualization software
- Successful grant writing experience
- Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal communication, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
40
Number of Months Per Year
12
Posting Text
Open Date
03/26/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references with their complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Mary Fischer at mfischer@email.wcu.edu
Please include a cover letter, current resume, and a list of three professional references with their complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Mary Fischer at mfischer@email.wcu.edu
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.