Retention Specialist

* Job Number:
260620

Organization: First Yr Learning
&
Engagement

Job Location: Oklahoma-Norman-Norman
Campus

Schedule:

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00
pm

Work Type: Onsite

Salary Range: Targeted salary: $45,000 annually, based on
experience

Benefits Provided: Yes

Required Attachments: Resume, Cover Letter

Job Description

*

Within the Academic Success Center, the Center for Student
Advancement (CSA) and First Year Learning and Engagement (FYLE) play a critical role in supporting University of Oklahoma students as they
transition into college. These teams primarily work with students by providing courses, programs, and events that foster academic connection
and belonging to the university and help students develop successful skills for college-level learning. This includes support for first-year
students transitioning to college, students needing academic recovery, and for transfer students. The Retention Specialist position will,
specifically, lead the Provost’s Distinguished First Year Student Mentoring Program, which is designed to facilitate meaningful mentorship
between first-year students and faculty members across campus. This role will also provide support for Foundations courses that emphasize
math, English, and academic skill building.

Essential Duties:

Provides individual and small group meetings to
first-year students for academic and social support. Receives, screens, and responds to student academic and social support inquiries
verbally and in writing. Maintains student records. Collects data and prepares various statistical reports. Assists in the implementation of
policies and procedures. Provides input for the development and revision of informational materials. Attends staff development and training.
Organize and support special events and projects. May perform a supervisory role. Work with and recruit faculty to the mentoring program.
Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Specific Departmental
Duties:

• First-Year Student Mentoring Program Execution:
  • Student Recruitment and Enrollment by
    working with special populations of students who elect to receive First Year Mentoring, ie. First generation, college majors, students with
    disabilities.
  • Promote the program through tabling, emails, flyers, etc.
  • Provide outreach to students who have D/F grades at
    midterms
  • Individual and group meetings focused on academic habits, study skills, and other
  • Recruit faculty from across the
    university as mentors
  • Biweekly Check Ins with faculty mentors
  • Event Planning and Execution
  
  
• Support
  for Academic Support Foundations including:
  • Tracking enrollment into courses and supporting student
    outreach
  • Assisting with support for Math, English, and Skill-Building Support Foundations instructors
  • Assisting with
    scheduling Math Support GTA visits into classes
  
  
• Support for additional FYLE / ASC initiatives and events including
  instructor and PTA trainings, Lunch and Learns, and review and updates to instructor resource Canvas pages
• Other duties as
  assigned

Job Requirements

*

Required Education and
Experience: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education/job related experience, AND

• Minimum of 36 months of experience as a full-time Academic Advisor in higher education

Skills:

• Effective oral and written communication and computer skills.
• Teaching and familiarity developing course
  materials.
• Ability to communicate with students in crisis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  and ability to navigate and maintain databases.
• Skilled in communicating well and building rapport quickly with students, faculty
  and staff.
• Ability to work well in a diverse environment.
• Detail oriented for accuracy of data and
  information.
• Highly organize and ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrate ability to learn, interpret
  and articulate complex policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate and advanced knowledge of state, university, college, and major policies
  and procedures.
• Willingness to work independently, collaboratively, and under supervision.
• Committed to maintaining
  confidentiality and securing sensitive information.

Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Sitting for
  long periods of time
• Communicate effectively
• Ability to engage in repetitive motion
• Standard office
  environment

Departmental Preferences:

• Master’s Degree
• 24+ month experience in advising,
  coaching, teaching, or related experience in higher education
• 0-24 months experience working with students in a classroom
  setting

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject
to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at
the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma values our community’s unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU,
we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and
regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic
information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or
status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing,
financial aid, and educational services.

Hiring contingent upon a Background Check?:
Yes

Special Indications: None

Job Posting: Mar 25, 2026

Tagged as: Employment