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. Mary Kennedy, Dean, School of Pharmacy 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.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
- Reports to Dean, School of Pharmacy
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 professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
