Specialist, Retention Programs & Academic Support

The Specialist, Retention Programs & Academic Support supports the coordination of academic support and retention initiatives. This position assists with programs and services designed to help students transition successfully to WKU, respond to academic difficulty, connect with academic support resources, and persist toward good academic standing.

The position provides operational support for retention initiatives such as the Academic Recovery & Support Program, Summer Scholars academic support, and peer coaching / Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) connections. The Specialist works collaboratively with campus partners to help students understand expectations, identify support needs, and connect with resources that promote academic success.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day support for retention and academic support initiatives, including the Academic Recovery & Support Program (Best Expectation Program (BEP) formerly) and Summer Scholars academic support.
• Assist students in understanding academic standing, academic recovery expectations, peer coaching / PASS services, and available campus resources.
• Teach up to 6 hours of college coursework.
• Support student communication, workshop logistics, attendance tracking, completion records, and follow-up for assigned programs.
• Connect students to peer services, PASS, advising, financial aid, wellness resources, faculty support, and other campus partners as appropriate.
• Support the coordination, training, scheduling, and supervision of assigned peer coaches, PASS leaders, or student employees.
• Assist with development and maintenance of program materials, student-facing resources, webpages, forms, and communication templates.
• Support tracking and reporting related to participation, completion, student engagement, resource referrals, and academic recovery outcomes.
• Collaborate with academic advising, faculty, academic colleges, Registrar, Financial Aid, Housing and Residence Life, TRIO, Intercultural Student Engagement Center, and other student success partners.
• Support continuous improvement of academic support and retention programs through student feedback, data review, and program assessment.
• Provide occasional evening or weekend support for workshops, summer programming, or student success activities as needed.

• Master's degree.
• Experience supporting students, academic support programs, retention initiatives, peer coaching, advising, or related student success work.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, communicate clearly with students and campus partners, and maintain accurate program records.
• Commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Salary: $43,888

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, may contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 270-745-5121 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, No. 0.2040 and/or WKU's Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, No. 0.2070, please complete the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form. Additional information regarding Title IX, including contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and reporting options, is available on WKU's Title IX website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: https://www.wku.edu/academics/

For information related to job postings, application status, or the hiring process, please email employment@wku.edu.