Director of Student Success and Retention

The Director of Student Success and Retention plays a pivotal role in promoting student persistence, academic achievement, and professional growth within the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Embedded in the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, this position combines data-informed retention strategies with personalized academic coaching to support students’ holistic success. Through proactive outreach, skill-building interventions, and close collaboration with faculty and campus resources, the Director fosters a supportive learning environment aligned with the school’s mission and ACPE accreditation standards.

For more information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Patti Black, Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, at [email protected].

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training

• Masters degree in education, counseling, pharmacy education, student affairs, or a related field required
• Previous experience in higher education student support, academic coaching, retention initiatives, or advising is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with pharmacy education, professional licensure processes, and experiential learning is a strong advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport, foster trust, and communicate with empathy and discretion.
• Strong analytic skills to interpret student data and generate meaningful reports.
• Proven organizational and project management capabilities, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Experience with student information systems and early-alert platforms.
• Comfort and effectiveness in delivering presentations and facilitating workshops.
• Collaborative, student-centered approach with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Proactive Student Success Coaching & Support

• Monitor student academic progress, engagement, and well-being to identify students at risk of academic or professional challenges early.
• Provide tailored academic coaching, including time management, study strategies, exam preparation, and professional development guidance.
• Serve as the primary advisor for second-year pre-pharmacy students, offering academic planning, professional guidance, and support to ensure a strong foundation for progression into the PharmD program.
• Facilitate group workshops and individual sessions on wellness, resilience, communication skills, and navigating the rigors of pharmacy education.
• Develop and implement individualized success plans in partnership with students, empowering them to overcome barriers and optimize their academic performance.
• Serve as a trusted advocate and mentor for students, promoting self-efficacy and responsible decision-making.

Academic Collaboration & Campus Resource Integration

• Partner closely with faculty to implement early-alert systems, review academic performance data, and coordinate timely intervention efforts.
• Act as a liaison connecting students to essential campus support services, including tutoring, counseling, accessibility accommodations, financial aid, and experiential education offices.
• Participate in orientation programming and cohort-building initiatives to enhance student integration, community, and belonging within the school.

Retention Data Analysis & Strategic Reporting

• Collect, maintain, and analyze key retention and academic performance metrics such as progression rates, leave/withdrawal patterns, and re-entry trends.
• Use data insights to inform continuous improvement efforts, providing actionable recommendations to school leadership for policy and program enhancements.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations on retention outcomes, student success trends, and intervention efficacy.

Curriculum Awareness & Professional Development Support

• Maintain a working knowledge of the pharmacy curriculum, experiential learning requirements, and licensure preparation benchmarks to align student support services accordingly.
• Offer informal coaching on clinical readiness, professional conduct, and experiential placement preparation.
• Support students’ transition through critical academic milestones with guidance tailored to pharmacy education demands.

Administrative & Committee Leadership

• Maintain confidential and accurate records related to student outreach, success plans, and retention activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Dean and/or Assistant/Associate Dean of Student and Professional Affairs.

• Other duties as assigned

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Reports to Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Physical & Environmental Factors

• Primarily office-based with regular interactions across multiple stakeholders including students, faculty, and campus partners.
• Occasional travel to pharmacy labs, simulation centers, and experiential sites.
• Some evening and weekend commitments may be necessary to support programming and student needs.
• Ability to manage fluctuating demands, deadlines, and emergent student situations with flexibility and professionalism.

Work Environment

• Collaborative academic environment within the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy.
• Access to resources supporting student wellness, professional development, and experiential learning.
• Dynamic setting requiring engagement in both traditional office spaces and clinical experiential sites.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should attach in one single document: a resume, cover letter, and references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.