Scholarship Support Retention Specialist

DepartmentC2 HUB - SSR

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of C2Hub Scholarship Support in Classroom to Career Hub, the Scholarship Support Retention (SSR) Specialist will be responsible for scholar caseload management, implementation and oversight of specific scholarships at the University. The specialist will work with all areas of the University (Faculty, Staff, and Support Services) to coordinate programming and provide direct services to students. The Specialist will work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty and other stakeholders to retain and support scholarship students through caseload management and to offer leadership and engagement opportunities for scholarship communities. The Specialist will be responsible for collaborating with community partners that support MSU Denver students through scholarship initiatives. 
 
MSU Denver educates a diverse student body, and all programs within Classroom to Career Hub embed inclusive excellence within our practices and philosophies. The successful candidate will work with and be sensitive to the educational needs of a diverse urban population. Metropolitan State University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. 

IND208

Duties/Responsibilities
 

30% - Coordinate Puksta Scholarship Program: 

• Coordinate and oversee monthly scholar meetings including trainings/workshops, community-based dialogues, project updates, group discussions/critical reflections, site visits to community partners, summer internship planning, etc. 
• Coordinate and attend special events: including but not limited to annual weekend retreats, Puksta Foundation events/fundraisers/speaking engagements, social events hosted by foundation for scholars, Puksta Passage in collaboration with University Advancement. Provide one-to-one mentor meetings with scholars. 
• Set quarterly check-ins with faculty and community partner mentors 
• Coordinate communication with scholars 
• Provide quarterly tracking of GPAs, and student campus-community work 
• Create marketing/PR for Puksta Program 
• Foster and maintain relationships with Puksta Foundation and Alumni 
• Coordinate recruitment process: including collaborate with Admissions staff, development and distribution of application materials and annual review of applications
• Attend Monthly Puksta cross-campus coordinator meetings. 

20% - Scholarship Support Caseload Management: 

• Provide direct services to assigned scholar caseload of 30 scholars in support of their retention and graduation at MSU Denver. 
• Support students in understanding their degree and credential requirements and completion of these requirements. 
• Monitor students’ degree progress requirements and support students in creating academic degree plans to support completion. Meet with students on a semesterly basis. 
• Collaborate with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) team to connect scholars to appropriate career exploration, counseling, and activities/opportunities. 
• Refer students to appropriate MSU Denver and community resources to assist students in achieving their academic and professional goals. 
• Maintain accurate and detailed contact notes, and track student performance using local databases, scholarship management systems, and MSU Denver systems such as Banner, SSC Navigate, and Degree Works. 

40% - Support Scholarship Support and Retention Initiatives: 

• The Specialist will support departmental initiatives and projects including, but not limited to: C2Hub Champions Student Employment Program—Specialist will be responsible for recruiting Student Employees (approx 5-15), onboarding, hiring, training, providing supervision, budgeting tracking, and continuous support and feedback. 
• Support for Assistant Director’s Initiatives including but not limited to: Denver Scholarship Foundation Leadership Program: support in event planning and execution for participants in the leadership program.
• Displaced Aurarian Support services: providing event staffing. 
• Additionally: outreach events, scholars’ community event programming, and collaborative programming with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. This position will support the department with scholarship recruitment and nomination processes for applicable scholarship programs. The Specialist with also assist with reporting appropriate data to any relevant stakeholders, including required end-of-year reports. 

 
5% - Data and Assessment 

• Uses data and data analytics to drive decision-making and programmatic development 

5% - Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned: 

• The Specialist will remain current on trends and developments in higher education and high-impact practices related to scholarship support. The Specialist will remain competent and current through self-directed professional reading, the development of professional contacts with colleagues, attendance at professional development courses/conferences, and trainings as directed by the Supervisor. The specialist will represent the interests of Classroom to Career Hub and will perform additional duties as assigned by the Senior Coordinator, including but not limited to service on various University committees/taskforces related to student retention and academic support issues and/or event planning 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree granted by start date 
• Experience providing advising, counseling, academic support, or advocacy in education 
• Experience working with and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse urban student population including, but not limited to, students of color, LGBTQIA students, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, students with disabilities, undocumented students, non-traditional students, Military Veterans, and English-language learners 

Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a student retention or support program 
• Experience working with a higher education scholarship initiative program 
• Experience with tracking data and program assessment.

Work Hours

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, Non-Exempt
• Typically Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm with occasional after hours and weekend work. Hours may vary during peak periods 
• Hybrid work options available for this position
• Travel: Rarely

Instructions to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire. 

If you are an Internal applicant, please apply via the Career tab within the WorkDay Menu

​​Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting RepresentativeCarlos Alcala

Posting Representative Email[email protected]Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf. 

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected].

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.