OFC of Vice Provost Student Success & Dean of University College
Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist
Ball State University
Ball State University welcomes applications for Senior Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist.
Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University’s ambitious goals for our second century:
- We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student.
- We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors.
- We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni.
And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive.
Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one’s home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices.
Our faculty are expected to be innovative, adaptive, engaging teachers across modalities; producers of impactful creative and/or scholarly work; leaders in meaningful service activities to multiple communities. We seek faculty members who are strategic thinkers, engaging our dynamic communities. We are committed to student and faculty success, impact, and access, within an environment that prioritizes inclusive excellence. We inspire each other to be critical thinkers and responsible citizens, so that we can pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.
Ball State University lives the values of Beneficence. We invite you to be part of our community.
At Ball State University, inclusiveness and freedom of expression are a part of our enduring values and inform all of our efforts. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Inclusive Excellence Plan to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities: The Senior Advisor and Retention Specialist will provide retention support for undergraduate students enrolled in their assigned academic college while serving as the primary academic advisor for students within the college including student groups targeted for retention purposes (e.g., students who had previously stopped out and have returned or students in the process of academic warning). As a senior academic advisor, this person will serve as a student advocate, providing targeting support to foster student retention. Additionally, the senior advisor will apply proactive and developmental advising strategies, support students in meeting academic requirements, promote strategies for student success, and mentor and support early career academic advisors. This position is also responsible for implementation and assessment of a comprehensive advising retention action plan for their assigned colleges. The incumbent will be assigned to an academic college and serve on an 8-member team promoting student persistence and retention by addressing barriers that impact undergraduate student success and degree completion. The incumbent will collaborate with members from their assigned college to develop and lead retention strategies, track retention activities in their assigned areas, and assess efficacy. This position will analyze data, develop meaningful interventions based on best practices including financial information and available resources, and effectively communicate with students, partners, and leadership.
Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree from an accredited institution by date of appointment. Three years of experience in academic advising, student services, counseling, or related field in higher education.
Preferred Qualifications: More than three years working in a higher education environment; more than 3 years as a professional academic advisor, student success specialist, retention coordinator, or similar; familiarity with Ball State curriculum; familiarity with Banner, EAB Navigate, Canvas, and/or Stellic. Ability to work with faculty administration and undergraduate students; ability to work in a collaborative environment and work independently; sensitivity to the needs of the student population; interpersonal/human relations skills; ability to encourage and empower students to make their own decisions; ability to identify students’ needs for support services in order to make appropriate referrals; ability to maintain confidentiality.
Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 5/19/2025.
Apply online at: https://bsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/47524. Include the following documents with your application: Curriculum Vitae and in support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experiences align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please also describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to our University’s enduring values, including inclusiveness, which we define as a commitment ‘to respect and embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity in people, ideas, and opinions.’
The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earner is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.
Ball State is a great place to work! In fact, Forbes has ranked Ball State University as the fourth-best midsized employer—and the only recognized education institution—in the State of Indiana.
Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.
The Ball State way is rooted in the Beneficence Pledge – a commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship, honesty and integrity, social responsibility, gratitude and valuing the intrinsic worth of each member of our community. Ball State students, faculty and staff are empowered in a culture that believes in them and demands they believe in themselves. They are partners in an innovative, immersive approach to education. They are supported by living and learning facilities that enable intellectual curiosity. We graduate scholars who are changing the world, and we’ve dedicated our University to do the same.
Ball State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any legally protected status.