Job Description

1. Strategic Leadership for Student Retention and Advising

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive, end-to-end student success and retention strategy spanning initial registration, through graduation
• Establish and oversee a coordinated advising model that integrates professional advising, faculty advising, and student success technologies
• Develop and implement proactive, intrusive advising practices that ensure early identification and sustained support for at-risk students
• Use predictive analytics, retention data, and disaggregated student outcomes to identify equity gaps and drive targeted interventions
• Establish measurable institutional goals, including improved fall-to-fall retention and a minimum 2 percentage point increase in both four-year and six-year graduation rates, and lead efforts to achieve these outcomes over the next four years.
• Provide institutional leadership for Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), including advising, registration coordination, and policy development, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and system requirements

2. Supervise and lead the Warrior Success Center

• Lead, supervise, and direct personnel of the Warrior Success Center,
• Interview and hire applicants for positions.
• Evaluate, promote, reward and transfer when appropriate.
• Assign work and provide training
• Discipline, suspend and discharge when necessary.
• Hear and adjust grievances
• Ensure Minnesota State System policies and procedures are implemented and properly enforced.
• Ensure adequate staffing to meet departmental deadlines and goals.
• Be knowledgeable in aspects of the bargaining unit contracts regarding employment matters including but not limited to, work assignments, hours of work, FLSA, time sheet issues, disciplinary procedures etc.

3. Oversight of Advising Systems and Student Success Interventions

• Provide direct oversight of advising operations, including undeclared student advising and targeted support for high-risk and underserved populations
• Ensure alignment of early alert systems, case management, and advising outreach across the student lifecycle
• Lead development and implementation of advisor training, tools, and performance expectations for both professional and faculty advisors Monitor advising effectiveness, student engagement, and persistence outcomes, making data-informed improvements
• Maintain a limited advising caseload, as needed, to support service delivery and ensure leadership remains connected to student experience.

4. Support Cooperative Leadership and Integrated Student Support Services Across WSC

• Oversee all functional areas within the Warrior Success Center, including tutoring, testing, career services.
• Ensure services are fully integrated and aligned to support student progression, retention, and completion
• Establish performance expectations and assess outcomes across all units with a focus on student success metrics
• Align staffing and resources to support high-impact advising and retention initiatives

5. Policy Development and Student Progression

• Lead institutional practices related to academic standing, probation, suspension, and re-entry with a focus on student persistence and successful degree completion
• Serve as a senior resource for complex student cases, including appeals and retention interventions
• Ensure policies and practices are equitable, consistently applied, and aligned with institutional and system requirements

6. Orientation, Transition, and First-Year Experience Provide leadership and coordination for orientation, registration, and transition programming in partnership with campus stakeholders to ensure strong onboarding and early student engagement Align first-year experience initiatives with advising, retention, and completion strategies Ensure new student programming supports academic readiness, belonging, and persistence

7. Campus Collaboration and Shared Accountability/Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor. Partner with academic colleges, Admissions, Warrior Hub (Financial Aid, Registrar, Enrollment Services) to create a seamless student experience from entry through graduation Promote shared institutional responsibility for retention, equity, and student success outcomes Participate in institutional committees and initiatives focused on enrollment, advising, and student success

Salary Range: $38.16-$56.94; commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of leadership experience in advising, student success, or related areas.  Masters degree may substitute for 18 months of experience, Bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience and Associates degree may substitute for six months of experience
• Experience leading advising systems or retention initiatives
• Strong analytical and data-informed decision-making skills
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and student success
   

Preferred Qualification 

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, or related field
• Experience with student success technologies and predictive analytics tools.
• Demonstrated success improving retention and graduation outcomes. 
   

Other Requirements

1. The successful candidate must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time
2. A complete online application will include the following:

• A cover letter that addresses the qualifications listed previously
• Current Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
   

Posting Information:

Application Deadline: Review begins June 15, 2026

Appointment Date: As Soon As Possible

Primary Location: Winona, MN

Type of Appointment: Probationary

Telework (Yes/No) No

About Winona State University

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. Offering more than 200 majors and programs, Winona State has the #1 Student Success Rate in the Minnesota State System with 96.97 percent of WSU graduates being hired in a field related to their degree. U.S. News recognized Winona State as having top-ranking undergraduate programs in nursing, engineering, psychology, business, and computer science. With campuses in both Winona and Rochester, Winona State offers the best of both worlds. Widely known for its stunning natural setting, the Winona campus is nestled between picturesque bluffs and the Mississippi River - meaning rock climbing, paddle-boarding, hiking, and kayaking are within a mile of campus. WSU's Rochester campus is located in Minnesota's third largest city - a dynamic hub for industry, arts, and culture, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Winona State University's mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.

Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for Middle Management Association (MMA) which can be found at https://www.minnstate.edu/system/working/relations.html

Notice: In accordance with Minnesota State policy, employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State's vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check. The Winona State University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available for your review. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the University. The policy statements address the school's policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security. Three years' worth of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on-campus, or in other University affiliated locations. This report is available online at https://www.winona.edu/about/safety-security/. You may also request a paper copy from University Security by emailing security@winona.edu.

Winona State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. A community of learners improving our world!

About Winona State University

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a comprehensive public university with close to 8,900 students. The oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Winona State offers 80 undergraduate, pre-professional, licensure, graduate, and doctorate programs on its three campuses: the original Main Campus in Winona, the West Campus in Winona, and Winona State University-Rochester.

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