What you will be doing...

As the Student Success & Retention Specialist, Office of Black Student Success, you will play a critical role in advancing student persistence, progression, retention, and completion outcomes for African Nova Scotian and Black students. Grounded in an understanding of the rich history, contributions, strengths, and lived experiences of African Nova Scotian and Black communities, you will provide culturally responsive support that fosters belonging, academic achievement, and holistic student success.

Working collaboratively with faculty, academic leaders, Student Supports teams, and community partners, you will lead proactive student success initiatives and interventions designed to remove barriers and support learners in achieving their educational and career goals.

In this role, you will:

• Coordinate and lead Early Alert and at-risk student support processes for African Nova Scotian and Black students, ensuring timely outreach, intervention, and follow-up.
• Monitor student academic progress, attendance, engagement, and other indicators of student success using institutional data and retention frameworks.
• Facilitate proactive student outreach and connect students to appropriate academic, financial, personal, cultural, and community supports.
• Coordinate and document case conferences with faculty, academic leadership, and Student Supports team members to develop holistic student success plans.
• Serve as a liaison between students, faculty, community organizations, and support services to strengthen pathways to student success.
• Collaborate with faculty and academic teams to develop and implement effective intervention strategies that support student persistence and completion.
• Research, develop, and implement retention initiatives such as peer support programs, mentoring, coaching, learning communities, and supplemental academic supports.
• Assess the effectiveness of student success initiatives through qualitative and quantitative data analysis and provide recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Prepare reports, monitor outcomes, and contribute to planning processes that strengthen student success and retention strategies across the College.
• Participate in committees, working groups, and community engagement initiatives that advance African Nova Scotian and Black student success and support the College's Anti-Black Racism commitments

You bring a strong understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of African Nova Scotian and Black students and communities. You are passionate about student success and are committed to advancing equity, Anti-Black Racism, inclusion, and social justice through culturally responsive and strengths-based approaches.

Qualifications and Occupational Experience

• A university degree, diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field such as Education, Social Sciences, Student Development, Adult Education, Community Development, Human Services, or a related discipline.
• Minimum three years of recent occupational experience demonstrating strong student support, leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Lived experience as a member of the African Nova Scotian and/or Black community.
• Demonstrated experience supporting students, youth, or community members within educational, community-based, workforce development, or social service environments.
• Experience facilitating meetings, case conferencing, conflict resolution, coaching, and collaborative intervention planning.
• Experience working directly with African Nova Scotian and Black students, communities, organizations, or initiatives is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, including experience interpreting data, identifying trends, and implementing evidence-informed interventions.
• Experience working with confidential information while maintaining discretion and professionalism.
• Experience working within environments governed by policies, procedures, privacy legislation, and ethical standards.
• Experience in a post-secondary education environment would be considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and student information systems or equivalent technologies.
• Demonstrated comfort working in a digital environment and using technology to enhance the student experience.

Relevant Skills and Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of African Nova Scotian and Black students and communities, including systemic barriers and community strengths.
• Knowledge of student retention theories, student success practices, Early Alert systems, and intervention models.
• Knowledge of Anti-Black Racism principles, equity frameworks, and culturally responsive student support practices.
• Understanding of Africentric values, principles, and approaches to learning, leadership, and community engagement.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to establish trust and credibility with students, faculty, staff, and community partners
• Excellent communication, facilitation, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a complex post-secondary environment and coordinate cross-functional support strategies.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, Anti-Black Racism, inclusion, and social justice principles.
• Understanding of privacy legislation and the importance of confidentiality when working with student information.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and respond effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to lifelong learning, continuous improvement, and student-centered practice.

As a condition of employment, Professional Support employees at NSCC must complete a part-time adult education program delivered by NSCC. This adult education program is a significant investment on the part of NSCC in the learning and development of new employees. To achieve regular status; all probationary, full or part-time Professional Support employees of the College must successfully complete the program within their probationary period. Term full-time Professional Support employees whose term appointment is twelve or more months are also required to participate in this program.

NSCC is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. As part of this commitment, NSCC will ensure that applicants are provided reasonable accommodations, as required. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact Nikki Berrigan, HR & Talent Consultant, at [email protected]. Our Employee Workplace Accommodation Policy can be found here.

Unfortunately, we can not accept late or paper applications.