Summary

The Retention Specialist plays a pivotal role in driving student success and program completion within the Undergraduate Nursing program. By designing, implementing, and closely monitoring individualized Academic Learning Plans (ALPs), the specialist proactively identifies and supports at-risk students to overcome academic challenges. Through strategic collaboration with faculty, advisors, and student support services, this role delivers targeted interventions that measurably improve retention and graduation rates. The specialist empowers students with the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to excel academically, meet program requirements, and enter the nursing profession fully prepared to make a difference.

This position is hybrid.

Essential Functions

• Design and execute individualized Academic Learning Plans (ALPs) for undergraduate nursing students, pinpointing performance gaps and crafting targeted strategies to maximize academic achievement.

• Leverage retention and performance data to uncover trends, address challenges, and drive evidence-based initiatives that enhance student success and persistence.

• Monitor student progress through structured check-ins, data-informed performance tracking, and dynamic plan adjustments to ensure academic milestones are achieved. Connect students with essential campus resources such as tutoring, counseling, and financial aid to remove barriers and promote retention.

• Refer students to appropriate campus resources such as tutoring, counseling, and financial aid when necessary.

• Collaborate with faculty and advisors to address academic concerns, deliver actionable feedback on student performance, and coordinate comprehensive support strategies. Facilitate engaging skill-building workshops in study techniques, time management, test-taking strategies, and critical thinking, tailored to the nursing curriculum. Maintain precise, confidential records of retention plans, interventions, and measurable outcomes.

• Conduct skills-building workshops on study skills, time management, test-taking strategies, and critical thinking tailored to nursing curriculum requirements.

• Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to retention plans, interventions, and outcomes.

• Participate in department meetings and retention strategy planning sessions. Contribute actively to department meetings and collaborative retention strategy sessions, aligning initiatives with the School of Nursing’s mission and long-term goals to improve student success rates.

Qualifications/Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Education, or a related discipline is required.

• 3-5 years of related experience is required.

• Specific knowledge of the Nursing curriculum, accreditation requirements, and student success strategies is required.

• Proficiency in student information systems, MS Office Suite, and learning management (e.g. Canvas) is required.

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.

Benefits: Barry University offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, tuition assistance, paid time off and work/life balance initiatives such as wellness programs, spirituality in the workplace, and training and development.

Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.