Manager of Student Programs & Retention
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Portland State University
Position Details
Position Details Proposed Start Date12/01/2026Classification TitleAcademic ServicesRankWorking TitleManager of Student Programs & RetentionDepartment270101 - EAS MCECS Dean Maseeh CollegePosition NumberD90886RepresentationUU - Unclassified UnrepresentedRenewableRenewableEnd date, if applicable Position FTE1.0Tenure StatusN - not applicable
Position Summary Brief Description of PSU/School/DeptPortland 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, and the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science is your testing ground for putting new ideas into action. We believe in involving everyone—from freshmen to faculty to community—in solving the problems facing our region and our world.
Maseeh College includes five departments, 132 faculty members, and more than 2,700 students. We offer academic programs that provide transformative opportunities within the classroom and beyond. Our faculty includes six National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award winners and two members of the National Academy of Engineering. When you join our college, you’ll be at the heart of an intellectually-challenging, personally rewarding, and purposefully inclusive environment, connected to Portland’s “silicon forest,” a nexus of growing, innovative industries and agencies.Position SummaryMaseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks a collaborative, student-centered, and strategic leader to strengthen the conditions that help students thrive. The ideal candidate is a skilled program builder who translates institutional priorities into effective action, fosters a strong sense of belonging, and develops sustainable approaches to meet evolving student needs.
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 of student programs, including SPARK, the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Program, college-wide tutoring initiatives, and training for Graduate Teaching Assistants and student group leaders.
The position 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 also directly supervises three staff members and ensures that student programs and career services are coordinated, sustainable, accessible, and aligned with Maseeh College strategic priorities.
This role is a 1.0 FTE, 12-month appointment reporting directly to the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Innovation.
Minimum Qualifications
- 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
- 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.
- 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 of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $65,100 – $75,686, but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/psu-total-compensation-calculator
Search Details Posting Close Date11/04/2026Projected Close Date for PostingOpen Until Finalists IdentifiedApplication screening begins11/04/2026Quick Linkhttps://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/50896
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU Website
- Indeed.com
- HERCJobs
- Urban League of Portland
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
- Oregon Employment Department
- Social Media
- Person Referral
- Career Builder
- Glass Door
- Other - Please describe in the next Question
- If you selected Other, please describe.
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Professional References
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