Academic Advisor

Title: Academic Advisor

Agency: Virginia Peninsula Community College

Location: Hampton - 650

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $44,500 - $50,500

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Virginia Peninsula Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established as a part of a statewide system of community colleges. It primarily serves the residents of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City and York.

Virginia Peninsula Community College changes lives, empowers students to succeed, and enhances the social and economic vitality of the region through high quality education and workforce training, excellent service, and innovative partnerships.

The Office of Advising provides an ongoing and collaborative process that connects students to programs of study, transfer services and varying services and information related to the college in efforts to support student goal attainment and student success.

The Academic Advisor is responsible for performing a variety of academic advising and support services to include individual/group advising services to curricular students in the areas of academic development and performance, personal growth development, decision making, college policies and procedural processes. Providing support and participating in transfer services, new student orientation, retention initiatives, and other activities to support student learning. The Academic Advisor will provide guidance on academic requirements, course selections, and academic progress and assist with the development of an individualized educational plan. This position will plan, develop, and present advising and student success workshops to faculty, staff, and/or Virginia Peninsula students and perform other duties as assigned

• Experience in advising students.

• Knowledge of best practices in academic advising, student development and student learning outcomes.
• Knowledge of different degree programs offered by the institution, including the specific requirements for each major.
• Knowledge of usage of data and analytics to identify patterns and trends in student performance. This data helps them make informed decisions about how to best support individual students and improve advising programs.
• Knowledge of academic advising theories that promote proactive and persistent engagement with students to support their academic success.
• Specific knowledge of college transfer procedures – including but limited to Transfer Virginia, Guaranteed Admission Agreements and Articulation Agreements.
• General knowledge of office systems, practices, and administration.

• Highly effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, active listening, group facilitation and presentation skills.

• Ability to quickly learn VPCC programs of study, academic requirements, policies and procedures, academic and student support resources and programs and adhere to outlined procedures.
• Ability to market program services to students, college community and the public
• Ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public and all stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate critical thinking skills – exercising logic, rational reasoning, sound judgment, discretion and the most appropriate decision-making strategies to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate procedures and work methods and use appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and work methods.
• Ability to assist students with complex academic and personal issues. The ability to analyze problems and develop solutions is crucial.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment with minimal errors and appropriate professional and emotional responses to various matters.
• Ability to work independently, while at the same time working as a part of a high functioning team.
• Proficiency in using computer software and academic advising tools to access and update student records, create academic plans, and utilize advising software.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Ability to function independently and direct students to resources and refer to other partner services.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to FERPA policies.
• Ability to participate on college related initiatives and committees as appropriate or necessary.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and the ability to develop healthy effective working relationships with supervisor, administration, divisions, staff and other community individuals and groups.
• Competence and ability to quickly learn the use of multiple technology systems including, but not limited to: Microsoft software, CANVAS, TES, PeopleSoft, Navigate, Zoom and any other required technology.