Job Description
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Springfield, MA
Job Type: Full-time 12 months 35 hours
Job Number: 00133
Department: Academic Advising
Opening Date: 09/05/2024
Description The Academic Advisor serves as advisor to a caseload of 60 to 100 Exploratory Studies and General Studies students; provide walk-in advising to undergraduate students; and assists with a variety of retention and completion efforts, including serving as an academic coach for first-year students on academic probation and advising degree non-completers and assisting with all students in transition. Teaches one or two sections of "Exploration: In a Major Way," a 1-credit course required for Exploratory Studies students. Provide support for all incoming students, including transfer credit evaluations, assisting with advising and registration components of new student orientation, coordination of assessment programs, and in-person and phone/email course advising.
Responsibilities - Advise caseload of 60 to 100 Exploratory or General Studies students each year, using a combination of developmental and intrusive advising approaches:
- Coach advisees through navigating the college environment, setting academic goals, exploring majors, developing a realistic degree plan, and achieving academic success.
- Advise students regarding course registration, academic standards, academic policies, degree progress, etc.
- Assess student progress and provides proactive outreach and early intervention to students experiencing academic difficulty; helps identify issues, and assists with problem-solving and developing action plans.
- Use basic counseling techniques to engage with students and explore academic and personal issues; refers students as necessary for crisis support or more in-depth personal, academic, or career planning support.
- Maintain advising records and notes and complies with FERPA privacy guidelines.
- Provide walk-in advising services, including to students changing majors, those returning from leaves or withdrawals, non-matriculated students, late registrants, etc.
- Respond to students, parents/guardians, faculty, staff, and prospective students with questions about academic programs, requirements, degree progress, registration issues, and other academic concerns.
- Assist faculty advisors and students with problem-solving, advocacy, referrals, etc.
- Conduct exit interviews with students withdrawing or taking leaves from the College.
- Teach one or more sections of Exploration: In a Major Way:
- Develop lesson plans and assignments to ensure achievement of learning objectives.
- Facilitate class activities and discussions.
- Assess and grades students' assignments, projects, and activities.
- Assist with advising and registration portions of New Student Orientations, including:
- Prepare advising material for June and other New Student Orientation programs, including pre-registering new students.
- Complete registration patterns for students as well as schedule changes related to earned transfer credit, change of majors, and student aptitudes.
- Conduct phone and online advising sessions with non-attendees and follow-up advising for students (and parents) requesting schedule changes, major changes, etc.
- Assist with coordinating math assessment results, including communication with students, interpretation and dissemination of results, and monitoring compliance.
- Coach first-year students on academic jeopardy, including those on academic probation.
- Conduct outreach to all first-year students in academic jeopardy as a result of data collection and faculty referrals, such as attendance warning and midterm grades.
- Meet weekly with students on academic probation to set academic goals, identify issues, and develop and follow an academic plan.
- Teach time management strategies, active learning skills, and other skills to help students achieve academic success.
- Partner with faculty to monitor student progress.
- Write progress notes and summary reports used in academic dismissal appeals, if necessary.
- Assist with other campus-wide advising, retention, and completion efforts, including:
- Complete transfer credit evaluations for prospective students as well as pre-approvals for continuing students, transfer credit equivalency charts, include AP credit and dual enrollment credit.
- Advise degree non-completers and former students returning regarding options for degree completion, developing action plans, and monitoring completion progress.
- Conduct group and individual training sessions for faculty advisors.
- Assist with development and editing of advising resources, such as Sequencing Guides.
Qualifications Bachelor's degree required with 1-3 years of directly related experience.
Master's degree preferred in a relevant field (counseling, psychology, higher education administration, etc.); demonstrated experience as an academic advisor and an understanding of developmental and prescriptive advising practices; strong presentation skills; and experience with student records program. Experience responding to a variety of internal and external constituencies.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Intermediate level of proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite;
Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral);
Strong teaching and presenting skills
Knowledge of developmental and intrusive advising practices.
Ability to develop effective relationships with a diverse population of students and provide basic counseling and coaching.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team;
Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
This is a full-time 12 month position. Occasional evening, holiday, or weekend work required to attend open houses, orientations (including Labor Day weekend coverage), weeknight or weekend programs, etc.
Springfield College is committed to enhancing diversity and equity in education and employment. To that end, the College welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences, who will contribute to a culture of inclusion and respect. For more information about Springfield College's position on diversity and inclusion, please visit our Office of Campus Life & Inclusion.
At Springfield College we offer competitive and generous benefit options for employees and their families.
- Tuition benefits for employees and dependents
- Tuition exchange program for dependents
- Generous paid time off benefits
- Paid Sick Leave Benefits
- 403(b) retirement plan (TIAA) with a generous college match
- Medical, Dental and Vision plan(s)
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (health care expenses and dependent care)
- Life and accident insurance plans
- Long-term disability
- Optional voluntary benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Wellness benefits and programs
- Free use of our state-of-the-art Wellness Center
Part-time employees earn pro-rated holiday, vacation and sick leave.
To learn more about our Benefit Package, visit our page.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Part time, Trial period, Flexible hours, Afternoon shift,