Director of Veteran, Military and Adult Student Services - Enrollment and Retention

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Attention:

The Division of Enrollment and Retention at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Director of Veteran, Military and Adult Student Services (OE008, Outreach Program Manager).

Position summary:

The Director of Veteran, Military and Adult Student Services provides leadership in the administration, management and strategic planning efforts in supporting student veterans, student military service members, and adult students pursuing their degree. This full-time, 12-month position plays an essential role in leading the campus forward and being a voice for veteran, military, and adult student success initiatives. Through cross campus collaborations, the Director supports strategic recruitment, onboarding, and persistence of veteran, military, and adult students. The Director is responsible for maintaining a high level of knowledge about Federal and State veteran benefit regulation and programs to ensure our benefit-receiving students are obtaining the correct benefits. The position works collaboratively with all Enrollment and Retention and Student Affairs units to build pipelines, promote belonging, and improve retention and graduation outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide visionary leadership in the administration, management and strategic planning efforts in supporting student veterans, student military service members, and adult students. 

• Serve as a Veterans Certifying Official, managing all aspects of GI Bill and related education benefit processing. 

• Supervise and support the Veterans Benefit Coordinator, to provide oversight and management of the application of educational benefits and GI Bill, effectively and efficiently for students. 

• Direct the university support of student veterans, student military service members, adult students and their families.

• Develops and monitors the fiscal management of the department.

• Lead the hiring, training, and supervision of staff, including student employees, student interns, and graduate assistants.

• Advise the veteran student organization.

• Chair the Chancellor’s Veteran and Military Service Members Committee.

Veteran and Military Student Success Support 

• Connect students to campus and community resources (academic advising, tutoring, counseling, financial aid, career services, childcare, and housing supports).

• Provide individualized coaching on topics such as goal setting, time management, stress management, study skills, and career exploration.

• Use early-alert systems (Navigate) to identify at-risk students and intervene proactively.

• Maintain confidentiality and accurate student records consistent with FERPA.

Adult Student Success Support 

• Direct the development of long range and short term strategies for adult student recruitment, retention and support.

• Collaborate with campus partners and departments to facilitate services for adult students. 

• Collaborate with Whitewater and Rock advising, to best understand online and in person degree options for adult students.

• Represent the needs of adult students to the university. 

Recruitment 

• Partner with Admissions and community colleges to strengthen transfer pipelines.

• Conduct outreach at transfer fairs, military education events, and adult learner recruitment programs.

• Serve as the primary contact for ReUp and manage the stop-out recruitment process.

• Provide prospective students with guidance on admissions, transfer credit, GI Bill benefits, and financial aid.

• Collaborate with orientation, first-year, and transfer programs to design tailored onboarding experiences.

Programming and Events Management 

• Plan and implement programs, workshops, and special events that promote community and engagement for student veterans and student military service members.

• Partner with faculty, staff, and student organizations to create inclusive, community-building initiatives.

• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and assessment of outreach and educational programs, including development of training materials related to awareness and understanding of veteran’s needs to the campus and community.

• Evaluate programming effectiveness through feedback, participation tracking, and student outcomes.

Program Development and Community Building 

• Develop and expand peer mentoring, networking opportunities, and success workshops for veterans, transfer, and adult learners.

• Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate inclusive practices into teaching, advising, and support services.

• Serve on various University, community and state-wide organizations, task forces, and committees. 

• Participate in professional development activities, conferences, workshops, and training events. 

Data, Assessment, and Reporting

• Track student engagement, retention, and graduation rates for veteran and adult student populations. 

• Prepare reports and assessments for institutional leadership, recommending improvements to programs and policies.

• Use student development theory, best practices, and assessment data to drive program design.

Conditions of Appointment:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Reviews recommendations for and provides input on the design and development of new outreach programs or services

• Develops and implements operating policies and procedures to promote the outreach program in alignment with the strategic plan

• Determines outreach program needs and the personnel resource allocation plan

• Monitors the unit or program budget and approves program expenditures

• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees

• Supervises the implementation of outreach-program-focused strategic planning initiatives and objectives

Department:

Enrollment and Retention

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting salary within the range of $55,000 - $60,000, commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree

• 3+ years of experience working with or serving veterans and/or military service members

• Strong organizational, programming and event management skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of GI Bills, federal and state laws and guidelines related to veterans’ services, programs and educational benefits

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of higher education experience in student support, advising or non-traditional student services

• Military service experience or strong familiarity with military

• Experience with student success software (e.g., PeopleSoft, Navigate/EAB)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Name and contact information for three professional references

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Melissa Walton

waltonm@uww.edu

(262) 472 -1385

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by February 23rd, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.   

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.