Academic Advisor & Student Success Specialist

SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, this position provides proactive, developmental advising to undeclared students and outreach to new and continuing students focused on ensuring student persistence and success. Areas of responsibility include assisting students with the major exploration process, providing student success coaching services, supporting students on academic probation and identifying students who are at risk for attrition. This position manages the University-wide retention alert system.  Occasional evening and/or weekend hours as needed to accommodate the needs of a diverse student population.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Builds positive, supportive relationships with students to facilitate retention and persistence to

program completion. Identifies barriers to student persistence and works to resolve them

quickly. Provide academic success coaching to develop effective learning strategies, such as assist in college transition and improvement of study skills/habits/behavior to all students.

Student Advising

1. 1. Assist advisees with course registration and planning, identifying campus resources, and interpreting academic policy
   2. Monitor advisee’s academic progress, respond appropriately to any academic alert notifications, and assist with retention efforts
   3. Serve as a student advocate (e.g., letters of appeal, recommendations, report students' concerns to administration etc.) based on personal knowledge of advisee's strengths and weaknesses
   4. Serve as a liaison between advisees and academic units, registrar, and campus resources
   5. Assist with advisor training and relevant resources for all advisors, including faculty advisors
   6. Create and execute programming to enhance a culture of engagement and belonging 
   7. Compile program and retention data as requested and make data-driven recommendations as appropriate to Assistant Dean of Student Success
   8. Stay current with best practices in academic advising through NACADA, trends, and regulatory requirements in higher education, such as FERPA, ADA, and Title IX, to ensure departmental effectiveness and compliance with appropriate laws
   9. Gain knowledge of all academic programs to properly assist students with identifying, exploring, and evaluating academic programs of interest, and the resources available to assist them in transitioning to an academic program
   10. Work with students dismissed from majors to identify alternative academic and career options

Student Success Coaching and Retention

1. Manage and respond to cases submitted to the Retention Alert System, evaluates student needs, implements action plans for targeted interventions, and documents interactions and follow-up with students.
2. Provide student success coaching sessions on academic, personal and social issues and maintain meeting notes, communicate student progress with faculty and staff, keep files on individual students and make appropriate referrals. 
3. Provide regular outreach and marketing activities to reach faculty, staff and students to educate them on success coaching services and build support, increase retention and improve graduation rates of students.
4. Communicate with students regarding support services provided by the University and communicate on student’s behalf to faculty, Academic Advisors, Program Directors and other University personnel as appropriate.
5. Develop, track, and facilitate the Academic Recovery Program
6. Serve as the retention alert system academic administrator in conjunction with VP of Student Services

Other Job-Related Duties

1. Teach four (4) credits per year in the FYE: University Success Program.
2. Co-coordinate the Ready, Set, Griffins! Orientation program
3. Maintain up to date knowledge of other department functions and university resources in order to appropriately resolve student inquiries.
4. Respond in a timely manner (no more than 1 business day) to student problems, concerns, and questions.
5. Ensure timely and accurate data entry within necessary university systems.
6. Attend and assist with University events, such as Commencement, Honors Convocation, Open House, Accepted Students Day, and other required events.
7. Other job-related duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty

satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or

ability required.

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education, psychology, counseling, student development, or related field required. 
• 1-3 years experience in academic advising, academic support, teaching, or counseling at the post-secondary level.   
• Experience working with students in graduate and undergraduate programs, and in traditional, accelerated, and online degree formats preferred. 
• Understanding of university structures and policies.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Effective and clear communication skills, including written, oral, interpersonal, and group skills.
• Understanding of student development theory and academic advising research and practices, especially for exploratory undergraduate students. 
• Commitment to student retention and persistence.  
• Strong computer skills.

Technical Skills 

Must be proficient in Microsoft-office suite and student database management systems

preferred.

Language Skills

Must have excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills both in-person and

via email/telephone communication. Must be able to interact and communicate effectively

with students, faculty and University personnel with regard to university and program policies,

procedures, guidelines, and standards.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical situations. Ability to work with statistical

information.

Reasoning Ability

Must be results oriented and able to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple activities.

Interpersonal Skills

The ability to communicate effectively, prioritize workflow, work well with minimum

supervision, and accept responsibility for total task completion is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit;

use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally

lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close

vision and ability to adjust focus.

EOE Statement: Gwynedd Mercy University is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Gwynedd Mercy University does not discriminate against any applicant for admission to or employment at the University because of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, color, marital status, veteran status, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (‘Protected Classes’). This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, financial aid, educational services, and student programs and activities, as well as to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, and termination. The University will not tolerate unlawful acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected Classes, or related retaliation against or by any employee or student.