Manager of Student Programs & Retention

Position Number: D90886 | 1.0 FTE, 12-month renewable appointment | Proposed start: 12/01/2026 | Reports to Assistant Dean for Inclusive Innovation

About the role

Portland State University is Oregon’s most innovative, diverse, and affordable public research university, located in one of the nation’s most desirable places to live. The Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science includes five departments, 132 faculty members, and more than 2,700 students, with faculty that includes six NSF CAREER Award winners and two members of the National Academy of Engineering. The college is connected to Portland’s “silicon forest,” a nexus of growing, innovative industries and agencies.

The Manager of Student Programs & Retention provides strategic leadership for college-wide programs and services that promote student engagement, academic achievement, and progression toward graduation. Working within the Dean’s Office, the Manager oversees a diverse portfolio including SPARK, the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Program, college-wide tutoring initiatives, and training for Graduate Teaching Assistants and student group leaders. The role exercises independent judgment in establishing priorities, developing and evaluating programs, coordinating resources, and responding to emerging student and organizational needs. The Manager uses student and institutional data to inform planning and continuous improvement, advises college leadership on retention strategies and program effectiveness, and collaborates with academic departments across Maseeh College to advance shared goals. The Manager directly supervises three staff members and ensures that student programs and career services are coordinated, sustainable, accessible, and aligned with Maseeh College strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for college-wide student programs and services (SPARK, Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Program, tutoring initiatives, GTA and student leader training)
• Establish priorities, develop and evaluate programs, coordinate resources, and respond to emerging student and organizational needs
• Use student and institutional data to inform planning, continuous improvement, and retention strategies
• Advise college leadership on retention strategies and program effectiveness
• Collaborate with academic departments across Maseeh College to advance shared goals
• Directly supervise three staff members
• Ensure student programs and career services are coordinated, sustainable, accessible, and aligned with strategic priorities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 4 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, and/or related field
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and evaluating a team of 1.0 FTE employees
• Experience with event planning and delivery of student success programs
• Experience in data collection and analysis for decision-making
• Experience developing budgets and program reporting
• Proven ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse populations

Qualifications

• Experience managing student retention, persistence, and/or academic support initiatives specifically within engineering, computer science, and/or technical STEM disciplines
• Experience designing and delivering training and student-centered programming with an emphasis on inclusive pedagogy and active learning strategies
• Demonstrated track record of developing programs that support underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, or transfer students in STEM fields

Skills

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
• Adhere to all PSU policies including Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and Professional Standards of Conduct

Benefits

Starting annual salary range: $65,100 – $75,686 (typically starting around Q1 level; may be negotiated higher based on experience, skills, market parity, internal equity, and department budget with HR approval). Excellent benefits package includes 95% premium-paid healthcare; generous retirement and vacation package; reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependent at any Oregon University System school. Full benefits overview: https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview. Total compensation calculator: https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/psu-total-compensation-calculator.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.