Title: Student Success & Retention Advisor

Department: Student Ach & Success Prog

Campus Location: Arnold/Main Campus

Salary Range: $57,408-$71,760

Work Mode: This position requires some regular in-person presence on campus or at alternative locations, depending on business needs of the office.

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: 

Position Type: Full-Time Staff,  Exempt

Position Summary

The Student Achievement and Success Program (SASP) Student Success and Retention Advisor provides direct academic, career, personal guidance, and advocacy to support academic success from enrollment to transfer or graduation of program participants.

The Advisor will develop and apply high impact and innovative practices and strategies designed to eradicate achievement gaps with an emphasis on equity and sustain academic achievement and personal development. Utilizing a caseload model and a holistic advising approach, this position provides advocacy and intervention strategies for students that are encountering hardships and makes referrals to other student support, campus services, and community resources.

The position facilitates the development of educational, career, transfer, and course selection/registration plans in adherence to academic rules and regulations, policies and procedures. The Advisor regularly monitors and documents students’ academic progress through one-on-one appointments to be held in-person and/or remotely.

With the use of early alert, student success courses, tutoring, and SASP programs/initiatives, this position will support the increase a student’s sense of belonging, retention, and pathways to completion.

As part of an advising team, this position actively contributes and engages in cross-functional collaboration to share best practices, coordinate strategies, and implement approaches to support student success to create seamless, student-centered support.

The individual in this position should be skilled in establishing rapport, problem solving, and providing a broad range of services designed to ensure the success of under prepared, underrepresented, first generation, low income, minority male, minority, and military-connected students.

As such, this position will assist the assistant director in the recruitment and selection of participants through program presentations, high school collaborations, community outreach, social media, online community activities, and on campus and virtual engagement activities and programming for SASP populations.


Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) is committed to enriching the educational experience it offers through the diversity of its faculty, administrators, and staff members. The college seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse team who will contribute to the college's excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, embrace concepts of equity and inclusiveness, and support the equal rights of all people by advancing the understanding and appreciation of differences including age, race, gender, ability, religious convictions, socio-economic status, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation.

While we appreciate your interest in employment with Anne Arundel Community College, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for any position.

Pay dates occur on the 7th and 22nd of each month. If those dates fall on a weekend, the pay date occurs on the Friday prior to the 7th and 22nd. As an employee of the college, you are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package.

In the best interest of the College, only individuals who are residents of Maryland or one of the following states will be eligible for employment at the college: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. The college will annually review this restriction and, if appropriate, expand the list of states of employment eligibility.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Advising and Caseload Management
Conduct initial interviews for new program participants and status check-ins for continuing program participants to assess academic, career, personal, advising and support needs.

Monitor and document students’ academic progress toward success, transfer and graduation goals. Complete follow-up contacts in response to students’ needs, midterms/interim grade report, faculty referrals, and course drops and withdrawals. Determine appropriate intervention needs and make recommendations/referrals for services to be provided to students.

Provide academic monitoring and intrusive advising for an assigned caseload. Regularly communicate with caseload and serve as a liaison to AACC departments and campus support.

Assist students in the selection of their program of study/major, building a term schedule, registering for course sections, and navigation of the learning management system and student portal.

Assist students in the identification and application process of financial aid, including completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), state and institutional scholarships, and educational benefits for U.S. Armed Forces veterans and their families.

Facilitate the development of an educational plan/action plan for program participants which lead to increased retention and completion.

Serve as a backup point of contact for new and continuing Hispanic/Latinx, military-connected, and other SASP cohort populations meeting students’ academic needs; questions and concerns; and assisting throughout their academic career with planning, and completion requirements.

Assist in the documentation of student participation in SASP assessments, advising appointments, event attendance, and other forms of engagement provided by Advisor and/or the unit through in-person contact, phone calls, e-mails, online community messages (Canvas), and social media posts, using SASP tracking forms and other institutional platforms and systems.

Maintains confidentiality and upholds institutional policy while supporting student development.

Serve as an advocate for students on their caseload when appropriate by providing support and guidance during academic, financial aid, and behavioral conduct processes, including petitions, appeals, and grievances.

Collaborates with various institutional offices to ensure students understand institutional policies, their rights, and available resources. Offices may include but are not limited to Community Standards, Records, Cashier’s, and Disability Support Services. Supports students’ reflection on challenges, making informed decisions, and engaging in their academic journey.

Outreach (Online/in-person presence)
Assist in the recruitment and outreach of prospective SASP, Bridge to Success, Black Male Institute, and military-connected students through tabling events, open houses, campus tours, orientations and welcome back events, speaking engagements, presentations (includes classroom visits and panels), award ceremonies, workshops, including but not limited to academic program collaborations, high school initiatives, and community engagement.

Contribute to the content area of SASP/MVRC website, Canvas, social media, and online communities.

Provide in-person rotational support and coverage for the Military/Veteran Resource Center (MVRC), and SASP presence at the Arundel Mills (AMIL) and Glen Burnie Town Center (GBTC) campuses.

Collaboration and Committee Work
Assist in collaboration with college and community resources to enhance services and outreach to SASP students.

Collaborate with Disability Support Services (DSS), Health and Wellness, Admissions, Academic Advising, Personal and Career Counseling, Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, Help Link, Office of Student Engagement, English Language Learners, Continuing Education, and other support services and academic programs to provide comprehensive services for SASP participants.

Supports institutional compliance with accessibility requirements.

Provide advising and information services to high school students through Early College Access Program (ECAP), Personal Registration Days (PRDs), and various tabling events.

Engage and strategize with faculty for inside and outside classroom support to promote student success.

Serve on a rotational basis with other SASP Retention Advisors on the college’s scholarship selection process committee.

Leadership and Facilitation
Assist with the development and facilitation of workshops, focus groups, forums, and briefings.
Assist with the implementation of all SASP programs, projects, initiatives, and other focused engagements, including mandatory “all-hands” unit events and activities.

Professional Development
Stay current with advising strategies, transfer issues, and retention strategies to assist students in accomplishing their goals.

Develop innovative strategies to engage students.
Utilize best practices and student development theories to develop and implement success and completion strategies for SASP student populations

Other Initiatives and Activities
Assist the director, assistant director, and program manager in the development, implementation, and coordination of various institutionally led initiatives, activities, and projects in accordance with the strategic plan and unit assessment to improve the academic success and persistence of students.

Assist with the implementation and participation in mandatory Student Development department and Learner Support Services (LSS) division programs, projects, initiatives, and other focused engagements, events, and activities.

Participate in ongoing performance management, one-on-one meetings, leadership development, staff meetings, team meetings, retreats, and professional development. Provide position/area reports when necessary.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree

Minimum of two years of higher education experience

Demonstrated value of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Experience working with low-income and first-generation students.

Experience supporting or working with Hispanic/Latinx communities.

Experience supporting or working with military/veteran communities and familiarity with VA education benefits.

Experience developing, facilitating, and executing events and activities. Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver presentations.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the program including evenings, weekends, and travel to other sites, including AACC campuses, high schools, and other community locales.

A high degree of comfort and experience using Windows computer systems and multi-line phones. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), and Adobe products.

Ability to master student information systems (e.g. Colleague) and online learning management systems (e.g. Canvas).

Experience working in online/remote environments, including the use of Teams and Zoom.

Experience creating and posting content for social media and the online learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference for Spanish-speakers and other multilingual applicants.