Edtech.com's Summary

Michigan State University is hiring a Specialist - Advisor-Continuing, titled Director of Student Retention Initiatives. This role manages and supports student progress from recruitment through graduation by leading retention initiatives, overseeing academic advising within the College of Social Science, and aligning efforts with the wider university strategic goals.

Highlights

Lead administrative and strategic efforts for student retention and success initiatives.
Support academic advisors and collaborate with the Assistant Dean on planning and operational processes.
Manage academic standing decisions, credit limit requests, and student readmission and reinstatement procedures.
Provide leadership for the Student Training for Academic Success (STAR) program and intervention initiatives such as Enhancing Academic Success Early (EASE).
Serve as liaison with the College Student Success Group and develop relationships with regional and national associations focused on student success.
Require knowledge of undergraduate academic policies and experience with university platforms like Campus Solutions and Registrar’s Office systems.
Minimum qualifications include a Master's degree in student affairs or a related field, five years of academic advising and/or student affairs experience, and three years leading student success and retention initiatives.
Strong communication, decision-making, organizational, and interpersonal skills are essential.
The position is remote-friendly, allowing up to two days of remote work per week.
Supports college-wide access initiatives and contributes to university-wide programs including colloquium and commencement.

Specialist - Advisor-Continuing Full Description

Working/Functional Title

Director of Student Retention Initiatives

Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

This is a full time Academic Specialist - Advisor position in the continuing system. The Director of Student Retention Initiatives will support student journeys from recruitment to graduation by taking on the primary administrative load for the college, supporting the work of academic advisors within the college, and aligning college efforts with larger university initiatives.

The critical job responsibilities of the Director of Academic Initiatives include:

Assisting and supporting the Assistant Dean with annual planning and processes vital to the operations of the Office of Undergraduate Studies/Office of Undergraduate Affairs
Approving administrative forms, processing credit/no credit forms, completing RNR forms, and processing student requests to exceed repeat credit limit and/or to exceed 20 credits in a term
Administering Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students (ASUS) decisions and signing off on the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) process
Providing leadership, strategic vision, organization, and administrative oversight for the Student Training for Academic Success (STAR) program
Providing college level organizational structure for readmission and reinstatement
Overseeing college-wide initiatives to support intervention measures such as Enhancing Academic Success Early (EASE)
Serving as the college liaison to for the College Student Success Group (CSSG)
Developing relationships with key regional and national associations that support student success
Supporting college-wide access initiatives and policies for the benefit of students and enhancing the student academic experience
Supporting university and college initiatives, including colloquium and commencement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Student affairs or related field

Minimum Requirements

A minimum of five (5) years of academic advising and/or academic and student affairs experience
A minimum of three (3) years of experience coordinating and leading student success and retention initiatives
Ability to work as an effective member of a team and maintain positive collaborations with stakeholders
Sound decision making ability, excellent communication (written and oral), organizational, and interpersonal skills required
Knowledge of undergraduate academic policies and procedures
Engagement in relevant external professional activities

Desired Qualifications

A minimum of five (5) years of experience coordinating and leading student success and retention initiatives
Prior experience working with students through academic probation, including mentorship programs and/or seminar courses aimed at academic recovery
Prior experience working with university platforms and data collection software such as Campus Solutions and Registrar’s Office (RO) systems and forms
Excellent written, oral, and dynamic presentation communication skills
Strong organizational skills

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter
CV
Student Success and Retention Statement (a statement addressing how your past and/or present contributions to student success and retention will advance our efforts and commitment to student retention initiatives)
Contact information for three professional references

pecial Instructions

For this position, remote friendly means up to two (2) days per week where some of the duties can be performed remotely.

For specific questions about the position, please contact Assistant Dean Dr. Ken W. Horne, Jr. at hornek@msu.edu.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/27/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Original Job Description

Working/Functional Title

Director of Student Retention Initiatives

Position Summary

The critical job responsibilities of the Director of Academic Initiatives include:

Assisting and supporting the Assistant Dean with annual planning and processes vital to the operations of the Office of Undergraduate Studies/Office of Undergraduate Affairs
Approving administrative forms, processing credit/no credit forms, completing RNR forms, and processing student requests to exceed repeat credit limit and/or to exceed 20 credits in a term
Administering Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students (ASUS) decisions and signing off on the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) process
Providing leadership, strategic vision, organization, and administrative oversight for the Student Training for Academic Success (STAR) program
Providing college level organizational structure for readmission and reinstatement
Overseeing college-wide initiatives to support intervention measures such as Enhancing Academic Success Early (EASE)
Serving as the college liaison to for the College Student Success Group (CSSG)
Developing relationships with key regional and national associations that support student success
Supporting college-wide access initiatives and policies for the benefit of students and enhancing the student academic experience
Supporting university and college initiatives, including colloquium and commencement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Required Degree

Masters -Student affairs or related field

Minimum Requirements

A minimum of five (5) years of academic advising and/or academic and student affairs experience
A minimum of three (3) years of experience coordinating and leading student success and retention initiatives
Ability to work as an effective member of a team and maintain positive collaborations with stakeholders
Sound decision making ability, excellent communication (written and oral), organizational, and interpersonal skills required
Knowledge of undergraduate academic policies and procedures
Engagement in relevant external professional activities

Desired Qualifications

A minimum of five (5) years of experience coordinating and leading student success and retention initiatives
Prior experience working with students through academic probation, including mentorship programs and/or seminar courses aimed at academic recovery
Prior experience working with university platforms and data collection software such as Campus Solutions and Registrar’s Office (RO) systems and forms
Excellent written, oral, and dynamic presentation communication skills
Strong organizational skills

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter
CV
Student Success and Retention Statement (a statement addressing how your past and/or present contributions to student success and retention will advance our efforts and commitment to student retention initiatives)
Contact information for three professional references

pecial Instructions

For this position, remote friendly means up to two (2) days per week where some of the duties can be performed remotely.

For specific questions about the position, please contact Assistant Dean Dr. Ken W. Horne, Jr. at hornek@msu.edu.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/27/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU Statement

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