Retention Specialist Jobs for OPT Students

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 organized and ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrate ability to learn, interpret and articulate complex policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate an 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 and teaching.
• 24 months experience working with students in a classroom setting.
• 24 months experience with academic advising students of various populations.

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/PoliciesHandbooks/TBTesting.

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

Required Attachments: Documents required for this position are listed under the "Required Attachments" section of this job listing. You will be required to upload and attach these documents in the application process.

Important: ALL required documents must be attached to your job application or your documents will not be visible to the hiring department!