Join Our Team

Student Success & Retention assists students in their transition to UNI and throughout their time at UNI to persist to graduation.

Along with our full time staff, we have a number of undergraduate and graduate student staff which support the office programs and outreach efforts.

Check out the student positions below.

Undergraduate Positions

Cat Crew

A group of undergraduate student leaders who facilitate the Panther Welcome program for new students. Cat Crew members serve as leaders and guides to the incoming class by providing an introduction to campus and its resources and preparing students for both academic and co-curricular success.

Time commitment:

Attend one team meeting in Spring semester
Attend training before Panther Welcome (August 19-20)
Lead a group of new students through Panther Welcome programming (August 21-23)
Assist with select Welcome Week activities (August 24-30)

Compensation: T-shirts, official Cat Crew backpack, meals during Panther Welcome & other Panther merch

Application process: Spring semester

More information about Cat Crew & Application

Orientation Leader

Summer Orientation Staff (SOS) members support the mission of the Student Success & Retention department by helping remove student barriers to persistence and facilitating experiences that promote the discovery of community, meaning and purpose. SOS help welcome new students and their guests to campus by leading small groups and presentation both in person and online.

Time commitment: May 28 - July 12, 2024 + Spring UNIV 1086

Compensation: $14.00 per hour + meals during programming

Application process: Fall semester

More information about Summer Orientation Staff & application

Pathfinder

Pathfinders are responsible for serving as mentors and guides to new UNI students participating in the Jump Start extended orientation program. Pathfinder will participate in training sessions, facilitate their small groups, and staff all events and activities of the Jump Start program.

Time commitment: Week before programming and full Jump Start program

Compensation: $9.50 per hour + meals during programming

Application process: Spring semester

More information about being a Pathfinder & application

Student Associate

Student Associates serve as an integral part to the success of supporting students and their families, faculty, staff, and other campus partners. They welcome guests to the office, assist with retention efforts and events, complete administrative tasks and assist with other special projects relevant to the office's mission.

Time commitment: Determined by each student's availability and office needs

Compensation: $10 per hour

Application process: As needed

Email success@uni.edu for more information

Graduate Positions

Orientation

Background Information:
Student Success & Retention is housed within the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and connected with
orientation and first-year programs. Initiatives supported by this graduate assistantship will involve close collaboration with
colleagues in the Division of Student Life, recognizing the importance of both academic and cocurricular support in student
development and success.

Position Description:
The graduate assistant will:

Assist in facilitating student staff, recruitment, selection, and training for Orientation and Panther Welcome
Select Panther Welcome program elements and serve on Panther Welcome steering committee
Arrange Panther Welcome sponsorship program
Coordinate select Family Weekend events and serve on the Family Weekend planning committee
Plan and implement transfer student welcome events
Assess orientation and transition programs and report results to stakeholders in collaboration with orientation coordinator
Complete other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Candidate must be full-time, degree-seeking student in a UNI graduate program (postsecondary education/student affairs, counseling, or related field preferred)
Must be enrolled in 9 graduate credit hours each semester of assistantship
A newly admitted graduate student must have at least a 3.0 grade point average for undergraduate or previous graduate work of at least 8 graded credit hours. The student must maintain a minimum UNI cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to be eligible for continued or further appointment

Additionally, the ideal candidate will have the following preferred qualifications:

Excellent written and oral communication skills: strong interpersonal, public speaking, group facilitation, and organizational skills
Demonstrate ability to be self-motivated and to conduct oneself in a professional manner
Experience working with BIPOC and/or other minoritized populations
Desire to assist in the transition and welcome experience for first-year and transfer students and their families
Availability to participate in the execution of Summer Orientation in May - July and Panther Welcome in August

Student Success & Retention

Background Information:
Student Success & Retention (SS & R) reports to the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and is part of the Division of Academic Affairs. SS & R oversees and collaborates with campus partners on a variety of projects focused on helping students successfully transition to UNI, progress towards graduation, and overcome any barriers towards their success as a student. The SS & R team simultaneously works to build individual relationships with students and implement proactive systems of support for campus as a whole. Initiatives supported by this graduate assistantship will involve close collaboration with colleagues in Academic Affairs and Student Life, recognizing the importance of both academic and co-curricular support in student development and success.

Position Description:
The graduate assistant will:

Support early identification of students at-risk of leaving the institution by reviewing student responses to the Connection Survey
Schedule one-on-one meetings with students in need of support and provide appropriate referrals to campus partners
Synthesize student data through qualitative and quantitative analysis to help inform best practices for campus partners
Provide structured weekly coaching for academically suspended students approved for the early readmission program
Co-teach the UNIV 3159: Unlocking Motivation and Learning course for students readmitted early from academic suspension
Conduct phone, email, and in-person outreach to identified groups of students
Assist in recruitment, selection, and training of peer educators
Complete other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Candidate must be full-time, degree-seeking student in a UNI graduate program (postsecondary education/student affairs, counseling, social work, communication studies, or related field preferred).
Must be enrolled in 9 qualifying graduate credits each semester of assistantship.
A newly admitted graduate student must have at least a 3.0 grade point average for undergraduate or previous graduate work of at least 8 graded credit hours. The student must maintain a minimum UNI cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to be eligible for continued or further appointment.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will have the following preferred qualifications:

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Strong interpersonal, public speaking, group facilitation, and organizational skills

Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and to conduct oneself in a professional manner

Experience and/or demonstrated interest in working with diverse populations.

Apply for Graduate Assistantship