TRIO SSSP Retention Specialist
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
**The Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS) is one of the largest learning communities at UC San Diego, supportingstudent empowerment personally, academically, and professionally. Our students and staff are innovative, productive, and engaged globalcitizens who are committed to social responsibility and promoting a diverse community of people, ideas, and perspectives. We accomplishthis through academic success initiatives, leadership development, and bridging partnerships that move our students to change the world.The mission of OASIS is to facilitate the intellectual and personal development of UC San Diego students, particularly those who areunderrepresented and underserved. Through a challenging and supportive environment that emphasizes collaboration, validation, equity, andsocial justice, OASIS contributes significantly to students’ retention, achievement, learning, and empowerment. **OASIS comprises five transitional support programs and cohort-based communities: 1) Summer Bridge; 2) 2Excel; 3) TRIO StudentSupport Services Program (TRIO SSSP); 4) Hope Scholars; and 5) Triton Underground Scholars. OASIS students can also take advantageof the academic support offered through our Math & Science (MSTP) and Language Arts Tutorial programs (LATS), as well as additionalenrichment and professional development opportunities. OASIS recognizes the mission of UCSD as a public institution: to prepare studentsfor their active, successful future in an increasingly diverse society, to meet strategic goals for student success, and to employ a collectiveimpact approach to closing opportunity gaps. This preparation enables UC San Diego graduates to contribute significantly to a more justsociety and a more positive social fabric for the state of California. **OASIS is part of the Student Success and Retention (SRS) team within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Organizational Transformation(VCOT). SRS plays a leadership role in creating, coordinating, and delivering programs and services that foster student success andpersistence. By developing the personal, academic, and professional skills needed for a successful transition to diverse, globalcommunities, the SRS team fosters the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of UC San Diego students. SRS is charged with promotingcampus-wide collaboration to foster student success and developing interventions that improve retention and graduation rates, withparticular attention to distinctive student groups that may have unique needs and/or come from disadvantaged educational backgrounds.Under the leadership of the Assistant Vice Chancellor, SRS has evolved into a cohesive, transdisciplinary service provider to supportsuccess and retention in response to the Chancellor's strategic plan to improve retention and degree completion. SRS houses variousdepartments, including the Undergraduate Research Hub, the Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS), theChancellor's Associate Scholars Program (CASP), Student Success Programs (SSP), Online Student Experience (OSE), and the CareerCenter. **For more information: oasis.ucsd.edu **Reporting to the TRIO SSS Director, this position is responsible for a broad range of programmatic support in the administration anddelivery of services designed to increase the retention and graduate school admission rates for TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)participants. Works with the TRIO team to coordinate and support the design, delivery, advising, counseling, and administration of skilldevelopment and academic support services through workshops, seminars, and tutoring. **The TRIO SSS Retention Specialist develops and prepares materials for training, meetings, events, workshops, and outreach — including programs and presentations for campus partners and the community. Serves as a primary point of contact for TRIO SSS students, buildingsupportive relationships and connecting students to campus resources — including academic advising, counseling, financial aid, studymanagement, and tutoring — to enhance academic success. **The Retention Specialist collaborates with the TRIO SSS Director and campus partners to develop comprehensive academic interventionstrategies, providing intentional support to students who are currently enrolled, no longer enrolled, or on academic notice or dismissal.Works with the Academic Success and Retention Manager in OASIS to identify and implement support strategies for students experiencingacademic challenges. Conducts ongoing reviews of student data within each cohort to identify trends affecting academic progress andretention, and develops intrusive, solution-centered outreach strategies to address them. Works collaboratively with the colleges — includingthe Deans of Academic Advising — to provide academic counseling and guidance on university policies, procedures, and graduationrequirements, applying a problem-solving rather than prescriptive approach to support retention, close the achievement gap, and promotedegree completion. **The Retention Specialist assists in the application review of incoming TRIO SSS participants and supports the recruitment, training, andsupervision of student staff, providing guidance and mentorship on their academic and socio-cultural needs. Also participates in TRIO SSSmarketing, social media, and online presence; establishes and maintains liaisons with campus resource centers and academicdepartments; and serves on committees, special projects, and related assignments as appointed by the TRIO SSS Director.
Qualifications
Graduation from college with major coursework in Sociology, Education, Ethnic Studies, or a related field Knowledge of the theories and practice of counseling, learning, human and career development. Knowledge of personal growth and development areas, including critical thinking, effective communication, self appraisal, self-esteem, clarification of values, appropriate career choices, and leadership. Verified skill in the development, implementation and evaluation of educational, cultural, and social programs in a higher education environment that reflect the needs of a diverse student population. Knowledge of the methodologies used to enhance student achievement. Knowledge of theories and principles of higher education and student development with ability to interpret and implement policies and procedures. Knowledge of trends and issues facing low-income and first-generation college, underrepresented, disadvantaged, physically challenged, and under prepared students in higher education. Proven skill using effective pedagogical strategies for designing, planning, and implementing academic support programs for first-generation, low-income, multicultural, and other non-traditional college students. Knowledge and experience in analyzing problems and identifying solutions for problem-solving; skills and experience in developing and administering programs. Solid analytical skills for identifying areas for improvement and developing innovative solutions. Ability to recognize problems, conflicts or impact to others, research options, present alternatives, implement solutions and follow through to ensure goals are met. Familiarity with research methodologies and research designs. Demonstrated ability to keep accurate records, compile and analyze data for program effectiveness and assessment. Prepare summary, statistical reports, and instructional materials with attention to detail and accuracy. Knowledge of University, college, and major requirements, policies and procedures, including policies on handling student records and confidential documents. Demonstrated experience in event planning, coordination, and execution. Proven ability to deliver workshops and present concepts effectively to diverse audiences. Excellent collaboration skills to effectively work with cross-sectional teams on campus in order to develop and deliver services. Strong organizational skills with the ability to set priorities, multi-task and meet deadlines and goals. Aptitude to work independently, with minimal direction, in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Outlook, Adobe, internet browsers, and databases.
Job Location
Campus