Assistant Director, Advising and Retention

Assistant Director, Advising and Retention

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

The Assistant Director, Advising and Retention plays a key role in helping graduate students in the School of Education successfully navigate their Whitworth experience from enrollment through completion. This position provides individualized academic advising, monitors student progress, helps students navigate certification and licensure requirements, and connects students with the resources they need to succeed.

Working closely with program directors, the Department Chair, Graduate Enrollment Services, and campus partners, the Assistant Director also supports GSE program operations, events, communications, reporting, and continuous improvement. This is a collaborative, student-centered role for someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems, keeping things moving, and helping students reach their goals.

Core Responsibilities

Academic Advising, Student Success & Retention | 40%

• Advise current students regarding program requirements, degree progress, course registration, and completion expectations; develop and maintain individualized degree plans.
• Assist with transcript evaluations for prospective students and provide program-specific guidance regarding how prior coursework applies to program requirements.
• Monitor student progress throughout the academic year and establish ongoing communication with students to identify barriers, address concerns, and support timely program completion.
• Monitor student progress toward licensure, endorsement, and certification requirements and collaborate with the Office of Certification, Career Services, Assessment, and Placement to ensure requirements are understood and addressed before program completion.
• Coordinate with program directors and appropriate university offices to respond to student concerns and connect students with academic and student support resources.
• Partner with the Department Chair and program directors to develop and implement proactive student communication and retention strategies.
• Collaborate with campus partners, including the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Educational Support Services, and Housing, to resolve student needs and support academic success.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of advising interactions, degree plans, course registration, academic standing, anticipated graduation dates, and other student progress information.
• Provide regular updates to program directors regarding student progress, advising trends, and emerging student needs.

GSE Program Support | 30%

• Provide project coordination support for Graduate Studies in Education (GSE) programs, ensuring program activities and processes are completed accurately and timely.
• Coordinate with program directors and appropriate university offices regarding scholarship application and award processes.
• Track modifications to program plans through university-wide approval processes, such as GECCo, as needed.
• Coordinate with the International Education Center and International Admissions to support compliance and oversight of Curricular Practical Training for international students.
• Coordinate with program directors and Student Financial Services to support federally required attendance verification and Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) documentation for each term.
• Assist program directors with collecting, organizing, and maintaining data for annual reporting, including program assessment, strategic enrollment, and program effectiveness activities.
• Gather and communicate student and alumni feedback and collaborate with program directors and the Department Chair to identify opportunities for program improvement and student success.
• Participate actively in program-specific, GSE team, and School of Education meetings and contribute to discussions regarding program operations, student needs, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of and adhere to university-wide and GSE/School of Education policies and procedures, particularly those involving Academic Affairs, Student Financial Services, the Registrar, and other related departments.

Event Planning & Support | 15%

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of GSE program-specific and GSE-wide events, including interviews, orientations, trainings, conferences, institutes, professional development, and partnership events.
• Manage event logistics, including registration, event webpages, communications, event checklists, guest speaker support, materials, and coordination with campus and external partners.
• Coordinate event-related budgets, expenditures, and administrative processes in accordance with university policies and established program budgets.
• Provide staff support at graduate commencement and other major School of Education events as needed.

Program Communications | 10%

• Serve as a program resource to Graduate Enrollment Services (GES), providing accurate and timely information regarding GSE programs, program requirements, certification pathways, and other program-specific questions.
• Collaborate with GES and GSE program directors to ensure program information communicated to prospective students is accurate, current, and consistent with approved program requirements.
• Collaborate with GSE staff and program directors to review program websites and identify needed updates to ensure information is accurate and current.
• Coordinate with GSE staff, program directors, and appropriate campus partners regarding program marketing materials and promotional items, including inventory, ordering, and updates.
• Provide program information, student accomplishments, and other content to support GSE and School of Education communications, newsletters, social media, and other promotional efforts.
• Support communication of program changes and updates to GES and other campus partners as appropriate.

Other | 5%

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the mission and operational needs of the School of Education.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Three years of professional experience in higher education, adult education, academic advising, student services, program coordination, or a related field.
• A personal commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith and learning.
• A commitment to the educational mission of Whitworth University as a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

• Ability to manage a substantial portfolio of students and programs while providing responsive, individualized advising and support across competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work, manage schedules and deadlines, maintain accurate documentation, and effectively coordinate multiple projects and responsibilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex academic and program information to students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus departments, and external partners.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, exercise sound judgment, and identify and address issues while also contributing effectively as a member of a collaborative team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, evaluate information, and develop practical solutions to support student and program success.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, processes, and student needs and contribute ideas that improve programs, services, and student experiences.
• Demonstrated personal integrity, discretion, professionalism, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment in interactions and decision-making.

Other Details

Schedule Full-time (1.0 FTE) | 12 months | 40 hours per week Whitworth office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday Friday Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university's mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

You are on this webpage because a position at Whitworth sparked your curiosity. If you find yourself questioning hitting the apply button because you might not meet 100% of the qualifications, we think you should do it! When you click apply and submit an application, your application is reviewed by a committee of real, living, and breathing human beings who want to understand your background, experience and skills to find ways you relate to the key competencies needed for success in the position.

Looking for resources to help with writing a faith statement? Check out our faith statement resource page for more information.

Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin