Director of Student Recruitment and Retention

Position Function:

The Director of Student Recruitment and Retention is responsible for providing strategic
leadership to the College of Forest Resources (CFR) programs and services related to student recruitment, retention, engagement and success. Integral to these responsibilities is promoting the holistic advancement of women and historically underrepresented minorities in CFR academic disciplines. The Director of Student Recruitment and Retention will serve as a liaison to industry partners and state and federal agencies with similar goals of student development, leadership and diversifying the future workforce of natural resource professionals. The Director of Student Recruitment and Retention will provide administrative supervision to the Admissions Coordinator and Student Success Coordinator. This position is under the administrative supervision of the Dean of the College of Forest Resources.

Salary Grade:  16

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

October 2024. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic oversight for all recruitment efforts in the CFR and supervision to the Admissions Coordinator and Student Success Coordinator
2. Collaborate with the CFR Dean’s staff and CFR departmental units to implement proactive recruiting strategies to attract academically talented women and minority students through strengthening affiliations with K-12 schools, community colleges, minority-serving institutions, community-based organizations, and summer program offerings.
3. Collaborate with the CFR Associate Dean and the Development Director to pursue and secure operational resources
4. Oversee and manage financial budgets associated with student recruitment and success and provide necessary reporting and documentation
5. Pursue active partnerships with the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships, MSU Division of Access, Opportunity and Success and the MSU Dean of Students office
6. Aid in the execution of campus-wide collaborations with other academic and student affairs units that will support the development of students in and outside the classroom
7. Provide leadership for CFR special events: Academic Insight, Preview Days, Discovery Day, Awards Banquet, Scholars Recognition Day and others
8. Develop and implement inclusive learning environments for students that support improved student retention and engagement, including strategies such as academic workshops, tutoring, course clustering, and mentor networks.
9. Establish program assessments and evaluations with the MSU Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness to ensure continued improvement of the CFR recruitment, retention, engagement, and success goals
10. Provide leadership to the Dean’s Diversity Council, Diversity Engagement Council and Community Partner Network
11. Serve as the CFR academic co-advisor for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS).
12. Support the Admissions Coordinator with oversight of the CFR Student Ambassadors
13. Support the Student Success Coordinator with oversight of the Dean’s Council of Student Leaders
14. Participate and pursue leadership roles in national organizations such as MANRRS, the Society of American Foresters (SAF), the Forest Products Society (FPS), The Wildlife Society (TWS), and the American Fisheries Society (AFS)
15. Develop and offer bridge programs aimed at assisting students with the transition to MSU and preparing students for challenging academics in natural resources.
16. Pursue grant opportunities with foundations and other appropriate sponsors
17. Assist in the establishment of a student development and leadership endowment
18. Develop best practices that encourage student advancement
19. Work with university programs that enhance the undergraduate and graduate student experience, including communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, and global awareness
20. Carry out other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education – Advanced degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.) with a focus in natural resources, agriculture, higher education administration, or related discipline.

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