Pathway Retention Specialist

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date.

Weekly Work Hours

40

Compensation Range

Staff Range N05 Salary

Salary Minimum

$54,537.00 Annually

FLSA

United States of America (Exempt)

Position Type

StaffPosition Summary

The Dallas College Pathway Retention Specialist is a program expert who provides proactive support to credit and non-credit students within School-aligned academic pathways to promote successful retention and completion. This role works with Success Coaches and Career and Transfer Specialists in a coordinated effort to remove barriers to student success and provide a seamless student experience with integrated, inescapable student support structures.

Core Competencies

• Student Service

• Case Management and Follow-Up

• Resource Navigation and Referral

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Data Tracking and Organization

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the purpose of community colleges and the vision of Dallas College.

• Detailed knowledge of all credit and pathway-aligned non-credit programs of study in assigned School and how these pathways lead to economic opportunity.

• Demonstrate detail-oriented precision in reviewing and mapping student academic, career, and transfer milestones.

• Demonstrate experience in coordinating and delivering presentations to staff, faculty and students and executing goal-oriented tasks.

• Ability to identify and address barriers to student pathway navigation.

• Strong time management, organization, problem-solving, and communication skills, with an emphasis on verbal and written skills that effectively communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision and attention to detail.

• Strong commitment to shared accountability and high-quality customer service and care.

• An ability to work effectively and collaboratively with stakeholders.

• Excellent interpersonal skills using collaboration, tact, patience, and courtesy.

• Experience effectively engaging and supporting students in a virtual environment.

• Respond appropriately to issues in a dynamic rapidly changing educational/economic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor term-to-term enrollment for students in assigned School and proactively contact success coaches and build academic plans for students who are off-path.

• Conduct academic advising on difficult-to-navigate pathways and/or programs of study with niche or low enrollment.

• Conduct School-driven cohort registration.

• Coordinate re-engagement efforts with students who are close to completion but have stopped out or delayed enrollment, assisting them with re-entry processes and course registrations that will lead to credential completion.

• Conduct pathway-specific communication plans, interventions and programming that promote persistence and completion.

• Meet institutional and departmental goals by executing and tracking assigned activities and evaluating outcomes.

• Prepare and present reports and leverage technology to track and monitor progress; keeps detailed records of assigned activities.

• Participate in required professional development to ensure current knowledge of internal and external resources and services.

• Leverage emerging technology to maintain systemic efficiencies in the delivery and tracking of communications, services, programming, and experiences.

• Support pathways training delivery.

• Support new student orientation, peak registration and commencement events and activities.

• Completes required Dallas College professional development training hours per academic year.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus two (2) years of experience in student support services, academic advising, or enrollment services OR

• Associate's degree plus ten (10) years of experience in student support services, academic advising, or enrollment services

• Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to quality customer service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Student Affairs, Counseling, or field related to assigned School.

• Experience working in a guided pathways or case management framework.

• Experience working with adult, first-generation in college and/or economically disadvantaged students.

• Bilingual or multi-language skills preferred.
  
  ***Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check.***

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.  Incumbents may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Position requires regular and predictable attendance.

Dallas College

Since 1965, Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, has served more than three (3) million students. Comprising seven campuses located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we are one of the largest community college systems in the state of Texas.  We strive to be a leader in the community college space, placing students at the center of everything we do.Dallas College is committed to cultivating an environment of opportunity and belonging for all students and employees. We recognize that the Dallas College workforce, and the diverse talent that stems from it, is directly linked to our success. We are part of an equal opportunity system that provides education and employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other basis protected under applicable law.  In accordance with applicable law, Dallas College will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.  

This position will support the School of Creative Arts, Entertainment & Design (CAED) and will be assigned to the North Lake campus.

Previous advising experience in higher education preferred.

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Applications DeadlineJanuary 16, 2026

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