Academic Advisor - School of the Arts

Academic Advisor - School of the Arts
Academic/Administrative Unit: School of the Arts

This opportunity is being advertised as a multi-title posting. The selected finalist could be hired in one of several job titles under the Student Services job family. A job title will be identified based on the required and preferred experience and education of the selected candidate*. https://jobsummarytool.vcu.edu/.

Virginia Commonwealth University, one of the nation's top research universities with two Richmond campuses - Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus - enrolls more than 32,000 students across thirteen schools and one college.

The School of the Arts strives to be a stimulating community of students and teachers who cross the boundaries of conventional art and design disciplines; who apply aesthetic and intellectual vision to the expression of complex ideas; who value artistic tradition and experimentation in the search for creative solutions; who connect international experience with professional education; who integrate technical skills with theoretical understanding; and who care about the impact of our work on people.

The position of Academic Advisor will be responsible for advising students in one (or more) assigned departments within the School of the Arts and will report to the Director of Academic Advising for the School of the Arts.

The core responsibilities for the Academic Advisor include:

•Provide academic advising services to assigned students:
•Advise students regarding: departmental, collegiate, and University policies and procedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academic plans.
•Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.
•Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, skills and academic goals and in making decisions regarding their academic career.
•Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academic experience, facilitate their academic and personal development, and support their educational success.
•Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University, make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.
•Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students.
•Make appropriate referrals to other university resources.
•Assist students in the online graduation checkout process.
•Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional development activities.
•Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact student recruitment, success, and retention:
•Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives.
•Provide advising information to prospective students and/or parents during Open House.
•Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation.
•Support departmental and University retention initiatives.
•Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.
•Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information, including advising interactions:
•Document all advising interactions with students.
•Maintain training on policies including Title IX and FERPA.
•Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advising checkpoints:
•Use the Student Success Collaborative (SSC) advising platform Navigate to establish targeted student populations on caseload for more intensive advising.
•Use DegreeWorks to determine student progress in completing degree requirements.
•Meet all students on assigned caseload at least once a semester.
•Work closely with departmental faculty and staff to provide information on advising policies and procedures
•Attend department-wide orientation and grades meetings

Required Qualifications:

* A job title will be identified based on the required and preferred experience and education of the selected candidate. Required Qualifications for all Job Titles :

•A minimum of one year of professional experience in a college or university setting.
•Master's degree from an accredited institution.
•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Required Qualifications as specified for each job title are outlined below:

Job Title Required Education and Experience Preferred Education and Experience
Academic Advisor 1 • Earned 18 credit hours at the graduate level as of position start date with professional experience in higher education OR
• Master’s degree earned, with no professional experience in higher education Academic Advisor 2 • Master's degree
• Minimum 1 year of advising experience working directly with students
• No minimum requirement for time worked at VCU Academic Advisor 3 • Master's degree
• Minimum 2 years of cumulative advising experience working directly with students • Preferred 1 year of advising experience at VCU.
Senior Academic Advisor 1 • Master's degree
• Preferred 3 years of academic advising experience, with a preferred minimum of 1 year of academic advising experience at VCU.
Senior Academic Advisor 2 • Master's degree
• Minimum 5 years of advising experience (with at least 4 years working directly with students)
• Minimum 3 years of advising experience at VCU Senior Academic Advisor 3 • Master's degree
• Minimum 7 years of advising experience (with at least 4 years working directly with students)
• Minimum 5 years of advising experience at VCU

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred in the arts.
• Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualized counseling in higher education.
• Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.
• Two to five years of professional experience in a college or university setting.