Southwest Virginia Community College is hiring a part-time Student Engagement and Retention Specialist to build student success, belonging, and persistence. The specialist runs proactive outreach and early intervention and plans signature student events. The specialist works with Academic Advising, Enrollment Services, and Financial Aid.
Highlights
Coordinate planning for the annual Back-to-School Bash with campus departments, student organizations, and community partners
Organize and staff Welcome Tents during the first week of each semester
Coordinate volunteers and campus partners at welcome events
Plan end-of-year student celebration and recognition opportunities with Student Affairs
Conduct triage calls, emails, and text outreach to assess student needs
Connect students with appropriate campus resources and support services
Assess event participation and student feedback to improve engagement
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field
Experience with student information systems, CRM, or retention software is preferred
Part-time hourly pay of $21.99 - $23.00, with in-person work required
PT Student Engagement and Retention Specialist Full Description
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
To be considered for this position, you must complete the full state application. Please visit www.jobs.vccs.edu to apply.
Posting Details
Posting Summary
Working Title | PT Student Engagement and Retention Specialist Role Title | Education Support Spec III Role Code | 29144-SW FLSA | Nonexempt Pay Band | 04 Position Number | 294W0144 Agency | Southwest Virginia Community College Division | Southwest Virginia Community College (Div) Work Location | Tazewell - 185 Hiring Range | $21.99 - $23 per hour Emergency/Essential Personnel | No EEO Category | 6-Administrative Support Full Time or Part Time | Part Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- | No Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? | No Work Schedule | Up to 29 hours per week. Hours may include day, evenings, and weekends. Sensitive Position | No Job Description |
Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) offers career-training programs in numerous technical, industrial and medical fields at a reasonable cost, going so far as to even waive tuition for certain eligible students. Located in Richlands, Virginia, Southwest offers associate’s degrees in such fields as business, education, general studies, liberal arts and science. These degrees are primarily intended for students who wish to transfer to a four-year university. Southwest also has associate’s degrees that feature programs intended to lead directly to a career in fields such as Nursing, Radiography and Administration of Justice.
The Student Engagement and Retention Specialist is a part-time position dedicated to increasing student success, sense of belonging, and persistence through proactive outreach, early intervention, and student engagement initiatives. This role supports student retention efforts by identifying and assisting at-risk students while also leading key engagement activities that foster connection to the institution, including the annual Back-to-School Bash, Welcome Tents, and End-of-Year Student Celebration.
Working collaboratively with Academic Advising, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and campus partners, the Specialist helps remove barriers to student success while creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with the college community. Key Responsibilities:
Back-to-School Bash Planning and Implementation 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.Welcome Tent Coordination 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. End-of-Year Student Celebration 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. Early Alert and Outreach Initiatives 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. Student Retention and Intervention Support 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. Case Management and Documentation 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. Collaboration and Communication 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. Instructional faculty must reside in the state of Virginia or be available to teach in-person classes at Southwest Virginia Community College (Southwest) locations: Main Campus, Lebanon, Bluefield, Southern Gap, or at any assigned location within our service area. Special Assignments | 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. KSA's/Required Qualifications | 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. Additional Considerations | 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.
Operation of a State Vehicle | No Supervises Employees | No Required Travel | Some travel required.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number | WGE_3488P Recruitment Type | General Public - G Number of Vacancies | 1 Position End Date (if temporary) | Job Open Date | 10/13/2026 Job Close Date | 10/27/2026 Open Until Filled | No Agency Website | www.sw.edu Contact Name | Human Resources Email | [email protected] Phone Number | 276-964-7339 Special Instructions to Applicants | In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155
To be considered for this position, you must complete the full state application. Please visit www.jobs.vccs.edu to apply. Additional Information |
Background Check Statement Disclaimer | 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/ EEO Statement | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors. ADA Statement | The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested. E-Verify Statement | 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. Quicklink for Posting | https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/100672
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* I understand that this is a part-time position. In consideration thereof, I wish to proceed with the completion of my application.
No response.
Yes.
No.
* I understand this position is not a remote position and I will be required to work in person.
Yes
No
* Are you applying for this position to satisfy an OPT training requirement for your educational program?
Yes
No
* Do you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States?
Yes
No
* I understand that only information provided at the time of the application submission will be considered when determining my qualifications and only responses to Supplemental Questions that can be verified in my application and resume will be credited.
Yes
No
* I understand this position is located in Southwest Virginia and I will be required to reside in Virginia or a border state.
