JOB DETAILS:

Full-time / 11-month Position (100% during contract period)
50% TRIO Student Support Services & 50% Fostering Success

Position contingent upon continued Federal Grant Funding from the Dept. of Education for TRIO SSS and UW System Fostering Success Grant.

As the first program of its kind in the UW System, Fostering Success strives to increase post-secondary enrollment and degree completion rates for students who have experienced out-of-home care, foster care, are orphaned or wards of the court, or are dealing with housing insecurity. TRIO Student Support Services serves students who are first generation, students who meet income guidelines and students with disabilities. Through collaboration between TRIO Student Support Services and Fostering Success, students have access to holistic academic mentorship, career planning, financial literacy workshops, math and writing support. Fostering Success also provides a summer camp for high school youth in the foster care system aimed at preparing students for the journey of higher education, addressing the multifaceted challenges they face.

In this role, Advisors assess and provide retention activities and services to college students who are first generation, students who meet federal low-income criteria, students with disabilities, and former foster youth in individual, group, classroom and electronic formats. The Advisor manages a caseload, assisting students in identifying obstacles which affect academic progress and provide the necessary support, advisement, and enhancement services to overcome barriers to college success, and provides academic monitoring support, study skills development, leadership skills, career planning, graduate school exploration and financial literacy education. The Advisor successfully communicates and collaborates with college personnel and departments, guardians, and other professionals to create a climate of student success fully and effectively. We are seeking an Advisor to work with students who are dual participants in TRIO Student Support Services and Fostering Success.

Official UW Title and Job Description: Retention Specialist (AE107)

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum / Required

• Bachelor's Degree in higher education, social work, education, counseling, educational leadership or related fields from an accredited college or university by appointment start date
• Experience working in a TRIO program or other educational opportunity/access program that focuses on first-generation students, students who meet low-income criteria, students with disabilities and/or students with out of home care experience
• Knowledge of academic advising, strategies to navigate college success, career, financial aid, and economic literacy activities and related services
• Demonstrated experience in establishing a student success environment that embraces inclusion
• Ability to effectively maintain a caseload of project participants and provide them with services and activities that support student retention and graduation

Highly Desired/Preferred

• Master's degree in higher education, social work, education, counseling, educational leadership or related fields from an accredited college or university
• A strong background in the principles of trauma-informed care and of the unique needs and challenges faced by foster youth
• Comprehensive knowledge of financial aid programs and funding resources, including those tailored to support foster youth in their pursuit of higher education
• Professional or personal experiences in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting first-generation, low-income, students with disabilities, and/or students with out of home care experience Formal training and or work experience in effective student support, specifically in the areas of guiding first-generation, low-income, students with disabilities and/or former foster youth with goal setting, time management, study skills, transferrable and soft skill building, and self-advocacy
• Experience with database and engagement platforms such as, but not limited to: Blumen, PeopleSoft, Canvas, Navigate EAB

RESPONSIBILITIES

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
Funded by the Department of Education, TRIO SSS programs are comprised of two federal grants. The TRIO SSS Regular grant serves 270 first generation, limited income students and students with disabilities to provide college retention programming. The TRIO SSS Disabled grant serves 160 students with disabilities, one-third of which are limited income, to provide college retention programming.

Fostering Success Program
The Fostering Success program at UW-Stout provides services to students who have experience with out of home care, foster care, are orphaned, or experienced housing insecurity.

The Fostering Success program services include creating a community of support through Fostering Success family dinners and peer mentoring; access to a supply closet with essential items, opportunities for scholarship, financial support, internships and campus visit programming for eligible pre-college students.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

50% TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Responsibilities

• Assist with identifying new students eligible for the TRIO SSS program
• Maintain regular contact with a caseload of 65 TRIO SSS Participants, including those dually eligible for Fostering Success
• Assesses and collaborates on the development of an Individual Student Success plan with Participants and regularly monitors progress towards goal completion
• Develop and implement Participant programming for required and permissible services to meet the standardized objectives of the TRIO SSS project
• Facilitate workshops in multi-modalities on a range of topics related to academic success skills, financial literacy, career development, and goal setting
• May instruct TRIO SSS project 1 credit courses: TRDIS 120 Strategies for Academic Success and TRDIS 121 Strategies for Successful Career Development
• Maintains timely and accurate SSS Participant data and records/services in TRIO SSS project database to meet U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements
• Assist in the development and execution of Summer Early Bridge program for new students
• Proactively collaborate with college-wide departments, faculty, tutors, and academic support staff to advocate, identify, and meet the academic needs of TRIO Participants

50% Fostering Success Responsibilities

• Assist with identifying new students eligible for Fostering Success, facilitate connection with Fostering Success program and application to the TRIO SSS Program
• Coordinate and facilitates bi-weekly Fostering Success family dinners
• Maintain accurate census data and EAB case notes for students Participants in the Fostering Success program
• Maintain inventory of supply closet and communicate purchasing needs in a timely manner
• Assist with campus visits for eligible pre-college students
• Provides guidance and support to the Peer Mentor student staff as needed in the Fostering Success program
• Proactively collaborates with college-wide departments, local and state community members and stakeholders to advocate, identify, and meet the needs of Fostering Success student Participants

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

TRIO programs are federal outreach and student services programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to assist marginalized students in overcoming barriers to higher education. TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO program designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of first-generation students, students who meet federal low-income criteria, and students with disabilities. The University of Wisconsin-Stout Student Support Services program is comprised of two federal grants - SSS Regular and SSS Disabled and can serve up to 430 students.

Services we are required to provide Participants include: academic tutoring; advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection; information on both the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including assistance in completing FAFSA applications); education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students; and activities designed to assist participants enrolled in four-year institutions of higher education in applying for admission to, and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in, graduate and professional programs. Additional permissible services include Individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic matters; cultural events; peer mentoring; programs and activities for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students who are individuals with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are foster care youth, or other disconnected students.

Fostering Success is the first program of its kind in the UW System. Fostering Success strives to increase post-secondary enrollment and degree completion rates for students who have experienced out-of-home care, foster care, are orphaned or wards of the court, or are dealing with housing insecurity. Fostering Success provides wrap around services and a holistic support that is grounded in the tenets of trauma informed care.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete applications received by end of day, Tuesday November 21, 2023 are ensured consideration. Applications submitted after November 21st may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs

Required application materials:
1. Cover letter (* See below)
2. Curriculum vitae or resume
3. Names and contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references

*Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:
Search Chair: Angie Ruppe
Email: ruppean@uwstout.edu

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all of the required application materials, please contact:
Search Coordinator: Simon Brown
Email: brownsi@uwstout.edu

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students think and do from day one, and we are proud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.

UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only full four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

We offer 45+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ professional certificates in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us

University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. UW System provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees.

• Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf
• Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator | Employee Benefits (wisconsin.edu)

All qualified candidates meeting application requirements will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. UW-Stout provides equal opportunity to all persons and is committed to inclusive excellence. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office. Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor(s) questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the UW System and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

Must be authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact our Human Resources office, Phone: 715.232.2149.

In response to a public records request, the University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7) .

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information

Job Family: Staff