Position Summary:
Together We Transform. To ensure each VCU student finds success on their individual path, it is imperative that we establish a campus environment that eliminates artificial barriers to degree progression/graduation, nurtures student engagement both with faculty and our community, develops cultural competency in our graduates, and creates opportunities to experiment and develop tangible and intangible skills related to their future career goals.
Student Success Academic Advisors provide academic advising and first year success course instruction to students. Each advisor is assigned a caseload of students that they are required to meet with at least once per semester. University Academic Advising (UAA) has 4 advising teams as well as floater advisors that are trained across disciplines, support the advising technology team, and may support specific advising teams to ensure continuity of service. These four teams are:

Declared majors (freshmen)

Pre-health majors (freshmen-seniors)

Foundation/Pre-professional students (freshmen & sophomores)

Undeclared majors (freshmen-seniors)

Core Responsibilities:
Academic Advising (45%): Interact with assigned caseload of students each semester to provide high quality, informed guidance and support regarding their academic success and available resources to ensure students are demonstrating behaviors that lead to success for their area of study and setup the foundation for success throughout their university academic experience.

• Provide academic advising services to assigned students regarding departmental, collegiate, and University policies and procedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academic plans in a meeting with students on assigned caseload at least once a semester.
• Refer students to available resources to ensure they are demonstrating behaviors that lead to success for their area of study, creating the foundation for success throughout their university academic experience.
• Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academic experience, facilitate their academic and personal development, and support their educational success.
• Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, and academic goals and in making decisions regarding their academic career.
• Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University, make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.
• Assist students in completing graduation applications.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information, including all advising interactions.
• Monitor student progression in degree program to establish advising checkpoints and determine student’s progress in completing degree requirements.
• Use the Student Success Collaborative (SSC/Navigate) advising platform to establish targeted student populations on caseload for more intensive advising.
• Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.

Targeted Support (35%): Utilize best practices, resources, and tools to identify and provide targeted, tailored advising services to those students that demonstrate behaviors that put them at risk for being unsuccessful in their academic experience.
Teaching (15%): Plan and instruct assigned UNIV 101, 102, 103, and/or 191 student success courses to provide effective and informative best practices, resources, and tools available to assist and support students’ academic success throughout their college career. Introduce new students to the traditions, purposes, and expectations of a university education.
Continuous Improvement & Special Projects (5%): Collaborate and participate in various activities with department, division, and university partners to enhance our unit’s approach and impact on student recruitment and success as the needs of students change to meet the goals for student recruitment and retention of the university.

• Participate in activities and/or experiences that enhance cultural competency.
• Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional development activities.
• Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact student recruitment, success, and retention and support departmental and university retention initiatives.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• A minimum of one year of professional experience in a college or university setting. Experience as a Graduate Assistant will be considered as well.
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in discipline of interest.
• Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualized counseling in a social services or K-20 education setting.
• Demonstrated experience teaching.

Other Position Details:

• This is a restricted position funded through June 30, 2025. Continued employment after that date is dependent upon continued funding.
• Position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with up to two days working from home.
• VCU Undergraduate Academic Advising may hire up to two Academic Advisors from this posting.

Position Number: 583720
Position Title: Academic Advisor
Department: 1275 University Academic Advising
Role Code: 10211 Academic Advisor 1
Position Type: Exempt
Salary: Up to $51,120
ORP Eligible: Yes
Open Date: 4/11/24
Close Date: 4/28/24 at 7PM