Director of Student Success and Retention

The Director of Student Success and Retention plays a pivotal role in promoting student persistence, academic achievement, and professional growth within the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Embedded in the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, this position combines data-informed retention strategies with personalized academic coaching to support students’ holistic success. Through proactive outreach, skill-building interventions, and close collaboration with faculty and campus resources, the Director fosters a supportive learning environment aligned with the school’s mission and ACPE accreditation standards. For more information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Mary Kennedy, Dean, School of Pharmacy at [email protected]. **QUALIFICATIONS:** **Education and Training** * Masters degree in education, counseling, pharmacy education, student affairs, or a related field required * Previous experience in higher education student support, academic coaching, retention initiatives, or advising is highly desirable. * Familiarity with pharmacy education, professional licensure processes, and experiential learning is a strong advantage. **Skills and Competencies** * Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport, foster trust, and communicate with empathy and discretion. * Strong analytic skills to interpret student data and generate meaningful reports. * Proven organizational and project management capabilities, with attention to detail and follow-through. * Experience with student information systems and early-alert platforms. * Comfort and effectiveness in delivering presentations and facilitating workshops. * Collaborative, student-centered approach with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS****:** **Proactive Student Success Coaching & Support** * Monitor student academic progress, engagement, and well-being to identify students at risk of academic or professional challenges early. * Provide tailored academic coaching, including time management, study strategies, exam preparation, and professional development guidance. * Serve as the primary advisor for second-year pre-pharmacy students, offering academic planning, professional guidance, and support to ensure a strong foundation for progression into the PharmD program. * Facilitate group workshops and individual sessions on wellness, resilience, communication skills, and navigating the rigors of pharmacy education. * Develop and implement individualized success plans in partnership with students, empowering them to overcome barriers and optimize their academic performance. * Serve as a trusted advocate and mentor for students, promoting self-efficacy and responsible decision-making. **Academic Collaboration & Campus Resource Integration** * Partner closely with faculty to implement early-alert systems, review academic performance data, and coordinate timely intervention efforts. * Act as a liaison connecting students to essential campus support services, including tutoring, counseling, accessibility accommodations, financial aid, and experiential education offices. * Participate in orientation programming and cohort-building initiatives to enhance student integration, community, and belonging within the school. **Retention Data Analysis & Strategic Reporting** * Collect, maintain, and analyze key retention and academic performance metrics such as progression rates, leave/withdrawal patterns, and re-entry trends. * Use data insights to inform continuous improvement efforts, providing actionable recommendations to school leadership for policy and program enhancements. * Prepare detailed reports and presentations on retention outcomes, student success trends, and intervention efficacy. **Curriculum Awareness & Professional Development Support** * Maintain a working knowledge of the pharmacy curriculum, experiential learning requirements, and licensure preparation benchmarks to align student support services accordingly. * Offer informal coaching on clinical readiness, professional conduct, and experiential placement preparation. * Support students’ transition through critical academic milestones with guidance tailored to pharmacy education demands. **Administrative & Committee Leadership** * Maintain confidential and accurate records related to student outreach, success plans, and retention activities. * Perform additional duties as assigned by the Dean and/or Assistant/Associate Dean of Student and Professional Affairs. * Other duties as assigned **ACCOUNTABILITY:** * Reports to Dean, School of Pharmacy **Physical & Environmental Factors** * Primarily office-based with regular interactions across multiple stakeholders including students, faculty, and campus partners. * Occasional travel to pharmacy labs, simulation centers, and experiential sites. * Some evening and weekend commitments may be necessary to support programming and student needs. * Ability to manage fluctuating demands, deadlines, and emergent student situations with flexibility and professionalism. **Work Environment** * Collaborative academic environment within the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. * Access to resources supporting student wellness, professional development, and experiential learning. * Dynamic setting requiring engagement in both traditional office spaces and clinical experiential sites. **Application Process:** Interested candidates should attach in **one single document**: a resume, cover letter, and professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.