Academic Advisor

Role Overview

• Provide guided academic pathway coaching for new, continuing, transfer, reverse-transfer, and undecided students; assist with identifying the educational options appropriate for the stated goal, assist with the interpretation of the placement test scores, and support coursework selection for certificate or degree completion and/or transfer planning; access self-service resources in the student portal.
• Serve as point person for initial advising for reverse transfer and returning student onboarding. Assist with advising in New Student Advising sessions.
• Assist faculty advisors in designated pathways with financial aid appeals, students who are on academic probation or suspension, and veteran planning. Develop success strategies to support student goals and make referrals to special population resources and/or programs.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management to support processes related to academic major/pathway change and financial aid appeals, including academic planning and document completion.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs to assist students with unique circumstances requiring special permissions for course enrollment; serve as generalists providing pathway coaching through completion of student goals and facilitate referrals to a faculty advisors when appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Record Department and/or appropriate Academic Department Chair/Dean when conducting unofficial transcript reviews for course planning, as needed.
• Participate in regular academic/curriculum update and training to stay current in articulation agreements, transfer tools, and technology that aid in student planning. Support students in academic and transfer planning with foundational understanding of General Education Core Curriculum, Illinois Articulation, Initiative (IAI).
• Provide comprehensive pathway coaching in collaboration with Disability Services to support the unique needs of students with disabilities (Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008) during their first year of transition.
• Monitor academic progress of students toward degree and/or certificate completion; identify current and potential academic needs; refer students to appropriate campus resources for additional assistance. Provide updates/reports to leadership regarding student progress (i.e. Navigate, or other advising technology)
• Maintain student files and records in academic advising software; document all pertinent student information and update notes in the designated software regarding changes to student status. Utilize data for strategic comprehensive reporting and communication campaigns.
• Interpret and explain college policies and procedures; participate in preparation of orientations; present academic information to new students and parents/family during new student onboarding,
• Assist in recruitment of potential students providing information and coaching regarding general academic requirements for specific degree/certificate program; describe courses; and disseminate information regarding enrollment procedures.
• Maintain thorough daily, weekly, and semester records/logs concerning students to compile appropriate narrative statistical enrollment, retention, and matriculation reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree.
• Three (3) years of advising or academic coaching experience in higher education.
• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, time management, human relations, problem-solving skills, and training and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of academic and occupational programs, articulation agreements, transfer guides, assessment and academic career advisement.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently within changing deadlines.
• Knowledge regarding Financial aid processes.
• Ability to analyze and address the educational and personal needs of students.
• Proficient with computers and database related software.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated commitment to the college’s core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality.
• Minimum five (5) years of academic advising experience preferred.
• Community College advising experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations, case management approach to student support and experience working with undecided or exploration students preferred.
• Colleague, Workday, degree audit and retention planning database experience preferred.
• English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency preferred.
• Demonstrated multicultural competence preferred.