The Office of Student Services in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) is recruiting for several advising positions at both the Academic Advisor and Senior Academic Advisor levels. The incumbents to these positions will sustain an environment of effective academic advising for undergraduate students in the College in order to support VCU being a leader among national research universities in providing all students with high-quality learning/living experiences focused on inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global environment. More specifically depending on the unit assigned, to provide resources to improve the student to advisor ratio in departments and schools within the College of Humanities and Sciences. Meeting these needs will improve student engagement through effective academic advising, while supporting the identified metrics of graduation rates and retention.
Academic Advisors provide information and advice to students concerning academic plans and progress, academic schedule, choice of major, and other academic activities and career goals. They may reside within a specific functional area of Academic and Faculty Affairs or within an academic school and may serve as an institutional representative to provide insight and direction to students to support successful academic, social, and personal developmental outcomes. Their typical duties may include helping students by planning schedules, recommending courses, and determining appropriate education solutions; assisting with new student orientations; and helping students select major and minor programs and develop study plans. They work under limited supervision, resolving moderately complex issues independently and referring more complex issues to an upper-level manager. Their decisions and quality of services provided may have a significant impact on service delivery and student success. Academic Advisors typically report to a manager or director or may report to an administrator.
Senior Academic Advisors possess greater knowledge of the academic advising profession, distinguishing them from Academic Advisors. They are further distinguished by the complexity of assigned work; an ability to identify options and develop solutions for unique or unprecedented situations; greater decision-making authority; and the judgment, resourcefulness, and ability to identify issues and/or areas that should be addressed differently. They are resources for others, participating in mentoring, coaching, and training.
Typical Duties
This is an enterprise-wide position.
Advise students regarding: departmental, College, and University policies and procedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academic plans.
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 and review applications.
Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional development activities.
Job-Specific Duties
These positions require a high degree of confidentiality. The main purpose of these positions is to sustain an environment of effective academic advising for undergraduate students in the respective program. The person must exercise professional judgment in the following ways: 1. Provide correct up-to-date information about all College and program-specific academic program requirements. 2. Provide correct interpretations of University and College rules and regulations. 3. Be comfortable and accurate in answering pointed questions from parents and students about graduation issues. 4. Be able to tell students they lack requirements for graduation and offer suggestions for completion of the needed requirements (including possible substitutions or waivers of degree requirements). 5. Follow appropriate protocol for situations involving Title IX or FERPA.
1. Provide academic advising services to assigned students: • Advise students regarding: departmental, College, 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. • Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional development activities.
2. Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact student recruitment, success, and retention: • Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives (e.g., Open House, Preview Day). • Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation. • Support departmental and University retention initiatives. • Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.
3. 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. • Maintain accurate and confidential records on students.
4. Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advising checkpoints: • Use the Navigate advising platform to establish targeted student populations for more intensive advising. • Use DegreeWorks to determine student’s progress in completing degree requirements. • Meet all assigned advisees at least once a semester.
Typical Education and Experience
Minimum hiring standards for the Academic Advisor positions : •Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution •A minimum of one year of professional experience in a college or university setting. •Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU. •Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills. •Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening. •Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students.
Preferred hiring standards for the Academic Advisor positions : •Master’s degree from an accredited institution •Educational Background in the discipline of interest or related field. •Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualized counseling in higher education.
Degree Requirements: Academic Advisor 1 Education and experience required: •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 Salary range: $40,000 - $46,000 for Academic Advisor level
Minimum hiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor positions : •Master’s degree from an accredited institution. •3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. •Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU. •Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualized counseling in higher education. •Understand curricula information (including program of study and general education requirements) for area of advising specialization. •Excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills. •Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening •Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students
Salary range: $46,000 - $54,000 for Senior Academic Advisor level
Preferred hiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor positions : •A minimum of 3 years professional advising experience or equivalent experience in a related career field. •Completion of coursework or training related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as topics related to leadership such as conflict resolution, coaching/mentoring, communication styles, or navigating change.
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