Doctoral Program Academic Advisor - Virginia Commonwealth University

Job Summary:

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is accepting applications for a highly skilled and experienced Academic Advisor to support our Doctoral Program.  We are seeking acompassionate and student-centered academic advisor to join our team. Thesuccessful candidate will guide and support doctoral students during theiracademic journey, helping them succeed in the program and their chosen concentrationarea.

 The WilderSchool's mission is to:

● Engage, teach and inspire students andleaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
● Advance research that informs public policy anddecision-making to improve our communities.
● Collaborate with communities throughinnovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The WilderSchool's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise andsocial equity in public safety, governance, and economic and communitydevelopment. The 2024 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the WilderSchool among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39 and tiedfor No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 19 in Social Policy, No. 28in Urban Policy, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The WilderSchool has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an establishedenvironment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest inpublic service and the betterment of society unites these perspectivestogether. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff,and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location inRichmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with ourproximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engagedscholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinarySchool with both academic programs and training/research centers in the socialsciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communitieswe serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills,opportunities, and experience necessary for success.

For additionalinformation about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/.

Position Responsibilities:

The Academic Advisor will beresponsible for the following:  
Provide students withguidance on the doctoral program, Wilder School, and university proceduresrelated to completing their doctoral education. Work with doctoral students andfaculty from recruitment through graduation to ensure academic success. Maintainongoing accurate records and data for doctoral student files; monitor studentprogress throughout their studies; and ensure that students are certified forgraduation in a timely manner. Develop, interpret, document, implement, assess,and apply University, State, Federal, and School policies and procedures inorder to ensure the most efficient, timely, and cost-effective delivery of doctoralstudent support services.

This position will perform academic course corrections/changes andcertain student actions without supervision based on preset standards; workwith students to ensure they are registered for the appropriate courses andcredits; perform an audit of all student records in Banner and DegreeWorks eachsemester to ensure that they are registered for the appropriate courses andcredits; manage and maintain all student records, ensuring they are accurateand up-to-date; assist with scheduling proposal and dissertation defenses;process all doctoral DocuSign forms; implement all Graduate School procedures;keep track of student compliance with continuous enrollment and leaves ofabsence; and manage distribution of the Core Qualifying Exam process.

In addition to advising duties, the Doctoral AcademicAdvisor will work closely with the Ph.D. Director and Assistant Director withother enrollment initiatives; develop, implement, and evaluate strategies inalignment with the school's retention and recruitment goals.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications:

•         Master's degree or higher in counseling or a related field or an equivalent combination of
  education, experience, and training.
•      Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience providing academic advising in a college or university setting.
•      Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills as well as customer service; must be detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
•      Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment.
•      Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google's cloud collaboration services.
•      Demonstrated experience working collaboratively.
•      Excellent writing, analytical, problem-solving, and public speaking skills.
•      Demonstrated experience working autonomously with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications: 

•      Previous experience advising graduate students.
•      Demonstrated experience using Degree Works, Banner, and Navigate.
•      Demonstrated ability to manage academic processes within and across academic units.
•      Demonstrated experience recruiting graduate students.
•      Demonstrated ability to manage a large volume of administrative work.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

PhysicalDemands and Activities (Essential):
Light lifting (<20lbs.)                                                                                                                     
Pushing/pulling
Standing
Sitting  

EmotionalDemands (Essential):
Fast pace/Averagepace
Multiple stimuli                                                                                       
Frequentchange
Intensecustomer interaction

Mental/SensoryDemands (Essential):
Memory
Reading                                                                                                                                            
Reasoning
Hearing                                                                                                                                            
Logic                                                                                                                                                
Analyzing
Verbal communication
Written Communication

Application Instructions:

All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning August 28, 2024. 

“Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”.

Salary Range: $20 - $25 per hour

Position Details:

Department: L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Employment Type: H1 - Hourly
Restricted Status: No
FTE: .70
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Elsie Harper-Anderson

Contact Email: elharperande@vcu.edu

Contact Phone: 804-828-7390