(Hybrid) Senior Academic Adviser - Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS) - West Virginia University

Description

The Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Senior Academic Advisor.

About the Opportunity

This position in Undergraduate Affairs is responsible for providing one-on-one academic counsel (advising) to students in multiple advising pathway(s) (i.e. Exploratory; Behavioral and Social Sciences; STEM; Healthcare; Business and Communications; Healthcare; etc.).  This position works closely with the Director of Advising and Recruitment, lead advisers, and representatives of other university departments (including directors, advisers, faculty, and staff).  This position co-coordinates the unit’s initiatives on undergraduate student retention efforts and evaluates student needs, objectives, interests, and previous academic performance to direct student in the design and implementation of an achievable academic plan.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week 

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)

• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)

• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)

• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits

• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.

• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Academic Advising

• Counsels students for all majors with regard to the WVU Catalog, undergraduate admission requirements, and persistence to degree completion.
• Employs appreciative, developmental, intrusive, and prescriptive models of academic advising in identifying competencies in quantitative, expository, and technical subjects required for successful matriculation to majors offered at WVU.
• Works individually with students to build a matriculation plan and develop and introduce parallel plans to promote timely admission into a desired department/major.
• Utilizes the WVU Undergraduate Catalog and researches university/college policies and procedures to aid in providing accurate and timely academic counsel.
• Advises incoming transfer students prior to being on campus to assist in a seamless transition to WVU.
• Coordinates the approval process for students attempting coursework in transient.  Reviews course offerings at transient institutions, obtains course syllabi, and consults with other colleges/schools in identifying equivalent WVU courses, particularly when transient institutions are not among those within the Transfer Equivalency System database.
• Advises and supports students who have high numbers of attempted and earned credit hours to identify alternative majors in which the student can be successful.
• Provides academic counsel to students on probation and returning from academic suspension, including options for degree completion at WVU.
• Monitors students’ progress with regard to completion of prerequisite courses and attainment of minimum GPA required for successful matriculation to a respective degree program and/or academic major.
• Assists students with federal financial aid appeals in compliance with the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility and deadlines established by the Office of Student Financial Services.
• Addresses admissions preparedness by evaluating academic histories to determine if students are eligible for potential majors and pathways.
• Assesses students’ concerns and makes referrals to other University representatives/units (i.e. faculty, academic chairpersons, student support unites, etc.).
• Utilizes student information systems (e.g. Banner, DegreeWorks, and EAB Navigate) to track and monitor academic history and in-progress work.
• Serves on task forces and committees addressing events and situations that impact the unit’s performance and development.
• Coordinates with other advisers serving in other academic advising pathways to aid the overall advising process.
• Adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by maintaining the strictest confidentiality of academic records.

Teaching and Student Support

• Serves as the primary instructor for the first-year seminar course during the fall term, when needed.
• Teaches a strength conditioning and academic mindset course in the spring semester for students placed on academic probation after their first semester, when needed.
• Mentors students on employing the appropriate dialogue and degree of professionalism in communicating with faculty, staff, senior administrators, and external constituents.
• Attends annual and regional conferences and other professional development opportunities to remain current on student success and retention initiatives at other peer and aspirant-peer institutions.
• Participates in campus-wide student retention and advising development efforts by serving on various task forces and committees within the university.

Programs and Events

• Participates in New Student Orientation by assisting freshman students with course registration, defining the general education curriculum, assessing persistence to degree completion, interpreting policies and procedures that govern undergraduate admissions and degree requirements.
• Assists with other university events, including: Decide WVU days, Mid-Year Academic, Academic Day during Welcome Week, etc., some of which are scheduled outside normal university operating hours.
• Serves on staffing and selection committees, as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, or related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the following areas:
  
  • Working in higher education, preferably in student services
  • Working with young adults, preferably in high school or higher education
  • Working in academic advising, career counseling, or psychological counseling
  • Working with at-risk students and coordinating remedial educational programs or equivalent
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Knowledge of electronic and manual records-keeping, preferably proficiency with DegreeWorks and/or EAB Navigate
• Knowledge of appreciative, development, intrusive, and prescriptive theories of academic advising
• Proficiency in student systems management, preferably working knowledge of Banner
• Ability to work collaboratively with students between the ages of 18 and 24
• Ability to interpret University procedures and policies and convey such information to students
• Ability to work in high stress environments efficiently to provide academic counsel to large numbers of students
• Demonstrated interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally in both oral and written communications
• Ability to interpret and comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Ability to work independently and with direct supervision