Student Success Advocate - Retention Specialist

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Student Success Advocate - Retention Specialist to join our Academic Advising - Exploratory team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Academic Advocate/Retention Specialist enhances undergraduate student retention and success by providing personalized support and navigation for students facing academic progress challenges. This position is responsible for identifying barriers to enrollment and serving as the primary point of contact for resolving them. The Academic Advocate works directly with students and connects them with appropriate services in progressing through their academic goals.

This position directly affects the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff feel supported. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Job Duties

Student Services

• Serve as the primary academic case manager for assigned undergraduate students and cohorts, including students experiencing barriers that may affect timely degree completion.
• Respond to student referrals and provide coordination across multiple university offices to resolve individual student issues
• Assist students in understanding institutional policies, processes, and options related to academic concerns
• Coordinate and assist with the development of an enrollment hold consolidation effort and deploy student support services to promote timely enrollment for student persistence and retention.
• Design and deliver proactive intervention efforts and early outreach plans to enhance student persistence, retention, and success.
• Communicate academic requirements effectively to students, faculty, and staff.
• Analyze, interpret, and explain student data and academic records, including transcripts, student accounts, financial aid, enrollment holds, testing and placement results
• Monitor compliance with university policy and procedures related to students academic success.
• Ensure positive student experiences and academic momentum through timely interventions
• Maintain student files, update academic records, and monitor student progress to support academic success.

Outreach, Communication, and Coordination

• In coordination with various campus partners, participate in student persistence and retention initiatives such as non-registered calling campaigns, academic alert outreach, academic recovery support, SAP workshops, and other cross-department efforts.
• Maintain a consistent pattern of contact to encourage a trusting relationship through multiple channels of communication with key partners across Undergraduate Studies, Student Engagement and Success, and other divisional units.
• Contribute to institution-wide strategies aimed at improving undergraduate student success
• Design and deliver presentations to various audiences.
• Develop strong working relationships with academic departments, programs, faculty, and staff across campus.

Training

• Participate in cross-training opportunities within and across departmental units
• Contribute to professional development sessions and training for staff, advisors, and students particularly in areas that affect student success outcomes
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 or more years of experience in working in higher education or student support services and/or a bachelors degree in related field.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, communication, presentation, and listening skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with students, staff and faculty.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of Word, Excel, email and/or similar software applications to produce written correspondence, create and maintain spreadsheets, and receive and respond to email inquiries, tasks, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to accomplish tasks and projects.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience fostering a supportive and effective workplace while working with students and/or colleagues to uphold institutional excellence.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree.
• Knowledge of student development theories and best practices in student success.
• Data driven decision making experience.
• Experience supervising individuals or teams.
• Experience using student information systems such as PeopleSoft, Civitas, or other related software.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of best practices and industry standards in supporting student retention, persistence, and completion.
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.
• Experience or interest in mentoring students from a variety of backgrounds.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: The Hiring Departments expected hiring range is $51,000 - $64,000 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $46,209 - $64,692.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: July 29, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Tishra Beeson

Title: Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Email: tishra.beeson@cwu.edu

Phone: 509-963-1993

Website: https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/provost/undergraduate-studies/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.