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Community College of Aurora
  • Position Number: 1530628
  • Location: Aurora, CO
  • Position Type: Student Affairs and Services -


Director, Student Engagement and Retention
Community College of Aurora

Position Status: Exempt
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Dean of Student Affairs
Supervises: Full and part-time staff including:
  • Director of Student Life;
  • Assistant Director of Military and Veteran Services;
  • part-time, contracted mental health counselors

    The Community College of Aurora is a dynamic institution that strives to serve its student population through innovations in instruction and student support founded on principles of equity and inclusivity. The Community College of Aurora aspires to be the college where every student succeeds.

    The Position:
    The Director of Student Engagement and Retention provides thoughtful leadership within the specific areas related to the position as well as across the Student Affairs division and the overall campus, especially related to student engagement and retention efforts. The Director must possess strong skills in student leadership development, student engagement and retention, as well as, event planning, and cross-campus collaborations. The Director will have the demonstrated ability to thoughtfully and strategically execute long range planning as well as lead division and campus-wide efforts. The Director must balance a strong organizational skill set with key interpersonal skills - maintaining program details, significant fiscal management, highly developed supervisory skills, a strong vision for strategic retention efforts and experience building a staff culture of teamwork, respect and inclusion.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

    Student Engagement and Retention efforts:
  • Support and guide respective programs under this area (Student Life, Military and Veteran Services, Counseling Services).
  • Ensure robust student engagement programs and events are planned, executed and evaluated with an equity and inclusion lens.
  • Guide/Lead planning and implementation of annual graduation ceremony.
  • Partner/Lead the development and implementation of strategic retention efforts across campus
  • Maintain current knowledge on philosophy and trends in student engagement and retention. Incorporate this knowledge into the leadership of campus-wide efforts.
  • Provide training and development in innovative retention strategies.
  • Assist with targeted student retention efforts for multiple populations of CCA students.
  • Serve as the principal investigator on a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant addressing campus suicide prevention.
  • Serve on College committees including, Student Affairs Leadership Team, Student Affairs Advocacy team meeting, CARE Team, Cross-College Collaboration Enrollment Management Team, Inclusive Excellence, and various other internal and external committees.

    Human Resources:
  • Supervise and evaluate the performance of personnel reporting to the Director.
  • Ensure appropriate hiring, supervision and training of all personnel reporting under this role
  • Ensure deadlines for performance planning and evaluation, recommended salary adjustments, and similar functions in both the classified and exempt professional systems are met.
  • Provide leadership and model CCA values.
  • Responsible for ensuring an inclusive, engaging and respectful work environment/culture.

    Budget/Fiscal Management:
  • Manage the general fund budget and ensure grant budgets are appropriately spent in accordance with specified regulations.
  • Responsible for compliance with CCA, system, state and federal fiscal regulations.
  • Approve expenditures, including those for personnel, travel and procurement.
  • Present recommendations and rationales for consideration of all funding through the annual budget process.
  • In collaboration with administrative support, develop systems for maintaining high levels of fiscal accountability in all reporting areas.

    Development and Evaluation of Student Engagement and Retention efforts:
  • Lead Division and Campus-wide Retention committees in the development and implementation of strategic retention plans.
  • Lead staff in assessment and evaluation activities including: student satisfaction surveys, exit survey processes, development and assessment of student learning outcomes, program evaluation (utilizing CAS Standards), qualitative data collection and quantitative analysis using IR data.
  • Lead staff in development and oversight of program goals and objectives related to student engagement, retention, completion and transfer.
  • Collaborate with Institutional Research to ascertain benchmarks for student retention, completion and transfer.
  • Provide year-end reports to the Dean of Students and ensure all other reporting requirements are met.
  • Maintain accurate data for reports and informed decision-making. Assist with the analysis of retention and persistence patterns of students and other relevant data analysis.
  • Prepare various reports for federal, state college, and division use
  • Collect and utilize pertinent data to evaluate and assess programs for effectiveness. In addition, provide regular reports on program, services, accomplishments, and challenges.

    Program Advocacy, Outreach and Partnership Development:
  • Serve as the point person for coordinating student representation as needed for committees, events and other student related roles across the college.
  • Maintain effective relationships with all Student Affairs departments.
  • Work collaboratively with Academic Affairs to build partnerships to support student academic success and retention.
  • Serve on campus committees or relevant external groups as assigned or approved by supervisor.
  • Seek and develop opportunities to increase funding for retention efforts and programs in collaboration with the Dean of Students, the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Associate Vice President of Workforce, Partnerships, and Resource Development.
  • Ensure renewal grants, annual reports and other requirements for maintaining grant-funded activities are met.
  • Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Dean of Students, Vice President of Student Affairs, and/or President.

    This position is designed for a driven professional that excels at building alliances and embraces innovation. The Director will introduce creative solutions in the design and delivery of services and has a commitment to inclusive excellence, equity and improvement.

    Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree from an accredited institution
  • 5+ years of experience leading student engagement efforts as an assistant director or director of a key area within a division of Student Affairs on a college campus or within a related community based organization
  • 5+ years of professional staff supervision and staff development experience
  • 5+ years of budgetary management experience
  • Experience compiling data and writing reports for grants, programs and/or other entities.
  • Experience leading campus-wide committees or initiatives
  • Experience providing presentations and training to students, staff and faculty
  • Demonstrated experience building and managing professional staff teams
  • Demonstrated experience supporting and advocating for students from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Demonstrated experience in strategic and tactical planning as a means to achieving stated student success goals and outcomes

    Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience implementing student retention efforts in a college setting
  • Experience working with and/or leading grants
  • Experience with student crisis response and Title IX
  • Experience delivering training on inclusive excellence to students and/or staff and faculty
  • Knowledge of Banner and Navigate
  • Knowledge of program evaluation methods
  • Experience in a community college setting

    Salary Range: The specific salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information. CCA offers an excellent benefit plan. Leave and holiday benefits are also included.

    Deadline to Submit Application Material: A review of applications will beginimmediatelyand will continue until the position is filled.

    Application Process: When submitting your application material, please include a cover letter, current resume, and professional references. Official transcripts showing the highest degree achieved should be submitted to HR@ccaurora.edu upon offer of employment.

    To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply online at: https://ccaurora-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobInfo&version=1&jobid=69

    If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at HR@ccaurora.edu.

    By submitting an application for this announced position, applicants are certifying that all statements, information and documents provided are true, complete and correct to the best of their knowledge and are made in good faith. Further, applicants understand that omissions, misleading, false or untrue information, or any attempt at fraud or deceit in any manner connected with this application and/or subsequent testing may result in them not being considered for jobs with the Community College of Aurora; may constitute grounds for discipline and/or termination after hire; and/or constitute grounds for further actions pursuant to law.

    The Federal Clery Act (The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990) requires all institutions of higher learning to make available to prospective employees our agency's Annual Security Report. A copy of this information is available on the CCA website at the Student Right to Know page. A paper copy of this report can be obtained at the College Security Office upon request. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning crimes that occurred on campus or on property controlled or owned by Community College of Aurora, as well as public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, our campuses.

    Notice to all Applicants:
    • Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be produced within three (3) days of hire.
    • Direct deposit of payroll is a condition of employment.
    • Final candidate is subject to a criminal background check prior to final selection process.
    • Final candidate is required to submit official transcripts to Human Resources within fourteen (14) days of hire.
    • CCA is affiliated with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and as such, employees contribute to PERA in lieu of Social Security for retirement benefits. For more information, visit COPERA web page.
    • Former employees of the Colorado Community College System or one of its 13 colleges, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information in your application material.


    • Community College of Aurora Inclusive Excellence Statement:
    You matter. You are valued. You belong. CCA is a community that is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion through Inclusive Excellence. We can only achieve this together. CCA embraces Inclusive Excellence because we want our students, staff, and faculty to learn and contribute within an inclusive environment. This means members of our College community will be active, respectful, and mindful of equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels of engagement. Inclusive Excellence will provide a foundation for student and institutional success. For more information on CCAs commitment to Inclusive Excellence please visit the Inclusive Excellence page.

    Create an Inclusive Excellence plan
  • Incorporate evidence-based and inclusive teaching strategies and curricula in the classroom
  • Provide high quality, inclusive, and responsive programming and services outside the classroom
  • Assess and evaluate the practices, policies, and outcomes of the College for inclusiveness
  • Provide intentional faculty and staff professional development that focuses on the implementation of Inclusive Excellence
  • Communicate support and direction for Inclusive Excellence through institutional leaders Identify, prioritize, and allocate resources that support Inclusive Excellence
  • Foster a climate for open dialogue
  • Facilitate Opportunities for cross-cultural interaction


    • According to the Association of American Colleges & Universities Inclusive Excellence is:

    an active process through which colleges and universities achieve excellence in learning, teaching, student development, institutional functioning, and engagement in local and global communities (AACU, 2016, para. 2).

    References: Association of American Colleges & Universities. (2016). Making excellence inclusive. Retrieved from http://aacu.org/making-excellence-inclusive

    ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Robert Callaway at 303-360-4733 or Robert.Callaway@CCAurora.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

    Pregnancy Related Accommodations, Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA):
    The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), allows applicants to request a reasonable accommodation for health conditions related to pregnancy or the physical recovery from childbirth. Candidates wishing to request reasonable accommodations must do so as soon as possible, preferably at least three days prior to the exam or interview. If you are an individual who wishes to request reasonable accommodations, please contact us at 303-360-4733 or Robert.Callaway@CCAurora.edu.

    CCA Mission: "The Community College of Aurora serves our diverse community by providing high quality instruction and support services to prepare students for transfer and employment."

    Vision: We aspire to be the college where every student succeeds.

    Equal Employment Opportunity: The Community College of Aurora does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, age or disability in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504, Age Discrimination Act, and Title II of the ADA. Inquiries about Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and Section 504 should be made to Debbie Irvine, 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway, Suite A207, Aurora, CO 80011-9036.

    Non-Discrimination Statement: The Community College of Aurora prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment including those that violate federal and state law, or the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Board Policies 3-120 and 4-120. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. The Community College of Aurora will take appropriate steps to ensure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in vocational education programs.

    For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact our Title IX Compliance/Equal Opportunity Officer, Cindy Hesse, Director of Human Resources at 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway, Suite A207, Aurora, Colorado 80011 or by phone at 303-360-4752, or e-mail at Cindy.Hesse@CCAurora.edu








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