Job Details

Assistant Dean, Retention and Persistence Programs

Position Number: 6370011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Assistant Dean, Retention and Persistence Programs
University of San Francisco

R0011179
USF Hilltop Campus

Job Title:
Assistant Dean, Retention and Persistence Programs

Job Summary:
The Assistant Dean of Retention and Persistence Programs in the Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA) reports to the Associate Dean, Retention and Persistence and provides leadership and direct student support for high-impact initiatives aimed at improving retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes. The primary focus will be to lead and guide strategy and implementation for the following high-impact retention initiatives and programs: Black Achievement Success and Engagement (BASE) initiative, the PACT Mentorship Program, First-Generation Initiatives, and Transfer Student Success efforts. These programs support USF's mission of inclusive excellence by offering academically challenging, personally supportive, and empowering educational experiences that uplift historically underrepresented, first-generation, and transfer student populations. The Assistant Dean also supports CASA's broader efforts to respond to trends in continuing student persistence.

The Assistant Dean, in consultation with the AVP/Dean, Student Academic Services, and Associate Dean, Retention and Persistence, works in close partnership with Academic Affairs leadership, the office of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI), college/school associate deans/deans and institutional research, to monitor student retention trends and co-develop institutional strategies aimed at eliminating equity gaps and supporting timely graduation.

As one of the top universities for ethnic diversity, USF is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging for all students. As a member of the larger staff in Student Life, the assistant dean will support student development in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. The mission of Student Life is to support the holistic well-being, co-curricular development, and academic and professional success of all students within a culture of equity and justice that prepares them to be caring, socially and environmentally responsible citizens of our global and interdependent world.

Full Job Description:
Essential Responsibilities

1. Collect, analyze, and interpret relevant data to determine immediate and long-term strategies to support historically underserved student populations, including Black, first-generation, and transfer students.

2. Provide academic coaching and case management to Marshall-Riley Living-Learning Community students, Black Scholars, and other students as identified through persistence metrics and trends.

3. Develop and maintain campus-wide partnerships to strengthen academic belonging and student success for priority student groups.

4. Collaborate with Academic Affairs-including college/school deans, faculty, institutional research, and academic advisers-to monitor student retention and persistence data, share trends, and co-design institutional strategies to support student success.

5. Represent CASA and related programs (BASE, PACT, FGI) at Admissions events and orientation programs.

6. Lead and support CASA's retention and persistence initiatives in collaboration with the Associate Dean, Retention and Persistence and First-Generation Initiatives Program Director.

7. Manage budgets allocated to specific retention and persistence initiatives as directed.

8. Serve on CASA and University-wide committees and contribute to strategic planning for retention and student success.

Specific Duties
Black Achievement Success and Engagement (BASE) Initiative (70%)

In collaboration with the BASE Senior Director, the Assistant Dean will develop and administer programs to provide Black students with a critical sense of belonging, opportunities for engagement in all aspects of university life and the broader Bay Area community, and the resources, skills, and support necessary to achieve academic excellence and pursue rich and rewarding careers after graduation.

Leadership

1. Coordinate operational needs of the BASE initiative as delegated by the Senior Director, including but not limited to strategic planning, student triage, program development, etc.

2. Jointly supervise the BASE Program Manager in conjunction with the Senior Director, including management of payroll and annual performance evaluations.

3. Participate in weekly BASE Staff meetings to communicate issues of student concern, enrollment and retention trends, Student Life updates, etc.

4. Assist the BASE Senior Director in data collection and analysis for Black-identified students by developing data tracking systems to identify causes of and risks of student attrition, and aid in the assessment of BASE programs.

5. Collaborate with BASE Senior Director and faculty to develop policies and programs that increase the retention, persistence, and academic success of Black-identified students.

6. Advise University leadership, campus partners, and schools/college staff and faculty on strategies to support the success and persistence of Black students, and represent BASE within the university community.

7. Assist BASE Senior Director in reviewing and selecting BASE resource applicants, e.g. Tomasello-Millard BASE Economic Hardship Fund, BASE Donor Scholarship, etc.

8. Contribute to BASE committees, Advisory Board, and program implementations.

9. Assist Black Resource Center Director in designing and facilitating student-centered success programming, including resiliency, leadership, career preparation, and navigating USF workshops.

Student Support

1. In collaboration with the Marshall-Riley Living-Learning Community Co-Directors, facilitate the on-boarding process for students admitted to the Marshall-Riley Living-Learning Community. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment for new and continuing students, the screening process, program admission communication, new student registration and communication of program requirements.

2. Provide academic coaching and monitor the academic progress of students admitted to the Marshall-Riley Living Learning Community and Black Scholars Program.

3. Maintain a caseload of students, with an emphasis on Black-identified students.

Retention and Persistence Programs (30%)

In collaboration with CASA leadership and staff, administer retention and persistence programs, and events, and provide holistic academic coaching to empower students to achieve academic success by connecting them to academic programs and resources on campus, helping them understand academic policies and requirements, and supporting skill development to successfully navigate their academic journey.

Continuing Student Persistence and Special Projects

1. Assist with special projects that support USF's equity and inclusion goals, particularly those aligned with retention and success benchmarks.

2. Contribute to the design of campus-wide interventions focused on year-to-year milestones and implementing strengths-based and culturally responsive student success programming.

3. Assist in the development and management of CASA's Early Alert Program and proactive student outreach models.

4. Oversee the PACT Mentorship Program to support historically disadvantaged student groups in their journey towards attaining a degree from USF.

5. In collaboration with the First Generation Initiatives Director and Associate Dean, Retention and Persistence, provide leadership and consultation in the design and implementation of USF's First-Generation Initiative, with a focus on persistence, academic belonging, and identity-conscious support for first-gen students, including celebratory and community-building events for first-generation students such as First-Gen Student Week and National First-Gen Day.

6. In collaboration with Student Life, Academic Affairs and campus colleagues, develop and lead transfer student success initiatives, including onboarding, peer-to-peer engagement and belonging, and organizing events such as National Transfer Student Week.

7. Work collaboratively with college/school leadership, academic departments and institutional research to identify persistence trends and gaps.

Other Responsibilities

Flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends as required by programs and events.
Occasional travel to support recruitment, conferences, or student experiential learning.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field required.
Five to seven years of professional experience in retention, persistence, or multicultural student success in higher education, preferably with supervisory responsibility.
Demonstrated success in supporting historically underserved student populations through equity-centered student development theories and practices.
Experience managing multiple program areas and cross-departmental initiatives.
Skilled in program assessment, data analysis, and storytelling with a demonstrated ability to turn insights into action.
Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to build inclusive, collaborative environments.
Comfortable using a suite of technology tools in daily work, including MSOffice, Google Workspace, data analysis tools, student information systems (Banner), and CRM/case management systems.
Ability to integrate developmental and multicultural student-centered success programming.
A willingness to respect and actively support the goals and vision of Jesuit education in general and the University of San Francisco in particular.

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full time

Pay Rate:
Salary

Salary Range :
$83,600 - $95,000 annualized salary, commensurate with experience

To apply, visit https://usfca.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USF_Staff/job/USF-Hilltop-Campus/Assistant-Dean--Retention-and-Persistence-Programs_R0011179.

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the worlds most innovative and diverse cities, and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco's first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a students passion for social justice and a desire to "Change the World From Here." For more information, visit http://www.usfca.edu.