OTTAWA UNIVERSITY

STAFF POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title:             Retention Advisor
Unit and Location:       APS Unit; Phoenix
Reports to:                 Manager of Admissions

Job Summary

Primarily responsible for supporting/enhancing retention efforts leading to high registration rate from session to session throughout the year by increased interpersonal connection and interaction with students.  Act as a liaison and support service between students and Ottawa University. Serve as a resource for students to encourage completion of degrees. In a limited way and under the specific direction of the manager of admissions, support the recruitment of prospective students as defined under secondary responsibilities below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiate and maintain contact with current students on a regular basis via phone (primary means of contact), email (secondary means of contact), and standard mail to foster positive and supportive interpersonal relationship, seek feedback about the specific individual student's OU experience, and provide ongoing support to high retentions and regular registration.

• Keep detailed notes (in CX data management system) on all student relationships to build an effective and sufficient informal advising record and plan including: follow-up activities, student encouragement, and general assistance. Work closely with faculty and other staff members as needed to obtain necessary information, services or other assistance for students.

• Work with faculty advisors to increase the student graduation rate - most particularly with student stop-outs. Provide information about student retention and ways to improve student academic progress and retention rates. Identify those for whom follow-up is needed to encourage them to complete their program.

• Support/coordinate OU events aimed at building community and retention or outreach to current students. Consider additional events/initiatives aimed at building retention.

• Assist all new student enrollments with logistics and procedures (Position will include early evening hours on a regular basis)

• Understand the University's financial aid policies/procedures, admissions procedures, registration procedures, business office procedures, and all other programs, policies and systems that advocate and support the ongoing progress of student retention. 

• Utilize CX-Communication Management Module to maintain copious notes on students and remain aware of CX report-pulling functions, providing detailed monthly reports, viewing student progress, and inputting prospective data.

• Provide leadership to those with whom you work through your conduct, attitude and professionalism. Understand the university's policies and procedures as they apply to your unit. Recommend necessary departmental policies changes as appropriate.

• Represent the University to students, staff, faculty, and external groups in a way that reflects well on OU. Assure that all University information is handled in a confidential and ethical manner.

• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities: (As time allows and is determined by Admissions Manager)

• Execute tasks specific to the recruitment of new students, such as answering telephone inquiries, scheduling preadmission interviews, assisting with and attending prospective student events, working with prospective students to the successful completion of enrollment.  Support enrollment initiatives by continuously identifying prospective students through established innovative recruitment and networking methods under the direction of the Manager of Admissions and Marketing.

• Represent Ottawa University at various public relations and outreach functions as necessary including business fairs, community college fairs, and community events.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelors Degree Required
Work Experience: 5 or more years of related experience
Required Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Above average knowledge of Microsoft Office software and ability to learn computer applications.

• Work independently, with limited supervision; work cooperatively, providing leadership to others.

• Accuracy, organization and attention to detail.

Send cover letter, resume, and the names and addresses of three references to: Ginnie Rudnick, ginnie.rudnick@ottawa.edu,10020 North 25^th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021Ottawa University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate in the recruitment of applicants, employment opportunities, or general employment practices on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.