General Advisor and Retention Specialist REO (Student Services Professional II)

Position Summary

San Diego State University’s Residential Education Office (REO) is seeking a committed and student-centered General Advisor and Retention Specialist (GARS) to support the academic and personal success of residential students. The GARS provides individualized advising, guidance, and programming that fosters student achievement, engagement, and belonging within SDSU’s vibrant on-campus communities. This role is instrumental in helping students navigate their academic journey, connect with university resources, and persist toward graduation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide holistic academic advising and personal support to residential students, including those on academic probation or at risk of dismissal.
• Develop, implement, and assess student success initiatives, workshops, and outreach programs focused on academic achievement and retention.
• Collaborate with campus partners—including colleges, advising centers, and support programs—to connect students with academic and personal resources.
• Coordinate the recruitment, training, and supervision of peer advisors and tutors to enhance residential academic support.
• Use multiple university systems (e.g., EAB Navigate, PeopleSoft, Google Suite) to track student progress and maintain accurate records.
• Participate in departmental programs, orientation, and campus events that promote student engagement, leadership, and inclusion.

Make an impact by helping SDSU students thrive—academically, personally, and as future leaders. Apply now to join our team!

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2025, with the possibility of reappointment. 
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs. (Ability to work evenings and weekends, with advance notice)
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Residential Education Office is designated as the University department responsible for planning and administering Residential Education programs and services including those in traditional residence halls and apartment complexes. The Residential Education Office serves to enhance student life and success through a comprehensive living-learning experience that provides academic and personal support, contact with faculty, educational programs, community activities, student leadership development and multicultural learning opportunities. The department is part of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity sub-division.

The Residential Education Office strives to provide safe and supportive on-campus living-learning communities where diverse students are challenged to develop holistically, as scholars, citizens, and leaders.

Residential Education staff members are dedicated to providing curricular and co-curricular experiences to develop and enhance residents’ academic success, awareness and appreciation of diversity, and civic responsibility.

Residential Education’s values are a set of core beliefs that guide our work with students, colleagues, faculty and other constituents. While contributing to the goals of the University and the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, staff members of the Residential Education Office strive to:

• Achieve excellence in all that we do.
• Address students as unique individuals with multidimensional needs and unlimited potential for personal development.
• Promote integrity, accountability, responsibility, respect, and collaboration.
• Promote the connectedness between curricular and co-curricular learning.
• Develop communities that embrace civic responsibility, life-long learning, and healthy lifestyles.
• Maintain balance and perspective, serving as sound role models for others.
• Innovate, evaluate, and refine programs to best meet the needs of the changing student population.

To accomplish these objectives, Residential Education employs 14 central office staff, 17 Residence Hall Coordinators, 10 Assistant Coordinators, 12 General Advisor and Retention Specialists, and 300 paraprofessional team members.

For more information regarding the Student Affairs Housing and Residential Education department,