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Position Information

Position Title Nursing Retention Specialist

Position Category Full Time Staff

Position Status 12 Month

FLSA Non-Exempt

Advertised Salary $49,309

Department Nursing

Working Hours Monday - Friday 35 hours per week

General Description

Are you dedicated to supporting student success and eager to make a real difference in the lives of future nurses? SUNY Niagara is seeking an engaged and student-centered Nursing Retention Specialist to help our Nursing students thrive from enrollment to graduation. This position is a grant-funded para-professional position reporting to the Dean of the College of Nursing, Physical & Allied Health.

This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in gaining professional experience in higher education, student success, and academic program support. You’ll play a key role in shaping a supportive and engaging environment for Nursing students helping them navigate challenges, build confidence, and stay on track toward their goals.

Key Responsibilities:

+ Collaborate with the Dean and Nursing Course Coordinators to design and implement a comprehensive Nursing Student Retention Program.

+ Monitor student progress and proactively provide outreach, support, and referrals to academic and student services.

+ Develop and facilitate workshops and success initiatives focused on study skills, time management, stress reduction, and professional development.

+ Assist with enrollment and registration activities for Nursing students.

+ Maintain detailed documentation of student participation, progress, and outcomes to inform ongoing retention efforts.

Ideal Candidate:

+ A motivated, compassionate, and organized individual who enjoys helping others succeed.

+ Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

+ Interest or background in higher education, student affairs, nursing, or counseling.

SUNY Niagara provides phenomenal benefits to our employees. Please visit https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/hr/benefits to view our benefits offerings. SUNY Niagara’s exceptional work environment fosters growth and personal fulfillment. As an employee, you can expect:

Work-Life Balance: When employees can balance their work and personal lives, they are happier, more productive, and better positioned to support our students. At SUNY Niagara, generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies make this possible. Our college closes for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess. In the summer, employees observe a four-day workweek, allowing them to enjoy all that Western New York offers.

Professional Growth: SUNY Niagara cares about employees’ professional advancement and development. You will have access to ongoing training, programs, and workshops. We support career growth and encourage employees to pursue further education.

Welcoming Culture: SUNY Niagara values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they create a sense of belonging for our students and employees. We foster a collaborative culture that respects and appreciates different perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds which contribute to the richness of our institution. We believe that our diverse, inclusive community enriches the experiences of students and employees alike.

Meaningful Work: At SUNY Niagara, your work will directly impact the lives of our students and the region we serve. Our college is for all who are passionate about teaching and focused on supporting students. Our small class sizes facilitate engagement. You will shape students’ futures, prepare them for successful careers, and empower them to contribute to society. Your dedication and expertise will propel students to achieve their educational goals.

Become part of an institution that values employees, positively impacts students’ lives, and invests in its community.

Typical Work Activities

+ Assist with the identification of at risk students.

+ Provide intake services and advisement to eligible students by assessing student needs and providing information and resources about academic requirements, financial aid, career exploration, and special support services.

+ Utilize a developmental advisement approach to monitor students’ progress through scheduled individual meetings, early alert monitoring, and advance registration.

+ Provide support for participants on both a scheduled and drop-in basis.

+ Provide support services for students including programming developed to enhance the college experience and promote degree completion.

+ Coordinate with other Retention Specialists to create progress surveys, programmatic policies and procedures, assess student progress toward program objectives, and the creation and implementation of developmental programming that supports retention and assimilation to college.

+ Monitor and document student participation and correlation to student success.

+ Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the campus community.

+ Serve as a resource for faculty and staff to identify the campus connections and resources that will foster student retention.

+ Perform assigned duties during registration, orientation, advisement, and Nursing open house/science night events.

+ Assist with the preparation of reporting, as needed.

+ Attend meetings for Nursing program as scheduled.

+ Work with and assist the Dean with other administrative duties.

+ Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Essential Functions

Must be able to relate to a diverse student population and academic personnel including individuals with disabilities; must be able to manage multiple functions; must be able to operate computers; must be able to speak to groups; must be able to physically perform the duties of the position; must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to travel between work sites.

Required Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s Degree;

+ one (1) year full-time or equivalent part-time paid, professional experience working in a higher education setting.

Desirable Qualifications

+ Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Administration, Social Work, Counseling or related area;

+ Experience working with Ellucian Banner or other Student Information System in a higher education setting;

+ Public speaking experience;

+ Expertise utilizing Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

License(s)/Certifications

About SUNY Niagara

SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates that are supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development that positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn, campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county’s three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. We continue to invest in our facilities with the addition of the Learning Commons Center, which has become the nucleus of the campus; a place for faculty to collaborate and help students develop critical thinking skills while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and innovative student support services. We also modernized our campus dining commons, providing quality meal options in a sleek, comfortable, collaborative environment.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (http://www.nfculinary.org/) ( NFCI ) is located in the heart of one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Niagara Falls. Fully outfitted with modern labs and tools for students to use as they train in both classic and trendy techniques, NFCI is home to Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality programs. The college also operates Savor, a fine dining restaurant, and La Patisserie, a European-style pastry café, at NFCI .

Our college nurtures and empowers its students and employees in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. SUNY Niagara welcomes applicants who want to join a leading regional institution that provides a dynamic, educational environment, responds to students’ current and emerging needs, and strengthens its community. At SUNY Niagara we embrace diversity and promote inclusion throughout the institution by recognizing, accepting, and celebrating differences within our campus and surrounding communities. Therefore, we desire and pursue candidates who share those principles and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

EEO Statement

SUNY Niagara does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S363P

Open Date 10/13/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions Summary

For full consideration applications must be submitted by November 16th. if a viable candidate is not found during the initial review, applications submitted after November 16th will be considered

SUNY Niagara considers only those applications that clearly demonstrate the applicant meets all required qualifications as indicated on the posting, please review the qualifications before applying. Persons meeting the required qualifications as stated above should submit the following:

• cover letter that addresses each of the qualifications

• resume

• unofficial transcripts

• names and contact information for three (3) current, work related references

Incomplete packets will be rejected for lack of information.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * What is the highest level of education attained?

+ GED

+ High School Diploma

+ Associates Degree

+ Bachelors Degree

+ Masters Degree

+ PHD

+ * How many years of experience do you have working in a Higher Education environment?

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1-2 years

+ 3 + years

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

+ Transcripts

Optional Documents

+ Letter of Recommendation

+ Certifications/Licenses

+ Transcript 2

+ Transcript 3