DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist serves as a key advising resource and guide for Gwynedd Mercy University's online graduate students. Working closely with the Program Directors, this position is responsible for serving as a liaison between the online graduate student and the institution regarding university policies and procedures, academic requirements, and support resources. In addition, the advisor builds positive, supportive relationships with students, faculty, and staff to facilitate student retention and persistence to program completion. Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed. Must work a varied work schedule to accommodate adult students’ needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Academic Advising

• Provide academic advisement, educational/degree planning, assist online graduate students with course selection and schedule changes, prerequisite coursework, and program requirements
• Develop and adjust individual plans of study/schedules for assigned advisees to streamline progress to program completion
• Assist advisees with identifying campus resources and interpreting academic policies and procedures
• Monitor low enrollment courses and provide recommendations to the Deans and Program Directors regarding course cancellations and independent study
• Perform graduation reviews by assessing individual academic plans to determine advisees have fulfilled all academic requirements necessary to complete their degree and/or certification requirements
• Assist advisees with navigating requirements for practicum, internship, or student teaching based on program needs
• Stay current with best practices in academic advising through NACADA, and trends and regulatory requirements in higher education, such as FERPA and Title IX, to ensure departmental effectiveness and compliance with appropriate laws
• Gain knowledge of other department functions and university resources to appropriately resolve student inquiries
• Participate in development, evaluation, and implementation of policies and procedures as appropriate

Enrollment and Retention

• Coordinate the onboarding process for new students in conjunction with Admissions
• Coordinate the orientation process for new online graduate students
• Monitor academic progress such as academic probation, academic dismissal, insufficient grades, leave of absences, and registration status to increase overall persistence
• Collaborate with program faculty with calendar creations, program administration, student requests, etc.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Attend and assist with University events, such as Commencement, Honors Convocation, and other required events.
• Respond within 24 hours to all student questions by phone, email, or other means
• Provide excellent customer service for prospective and current students, parents/families, faculty, and staff, etc.
• Exercise sound judgment and problem-solve complex situations
• Establish, maintain and sustain positive, professional working relationships internally and cross-functionally
• Work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, service-oriented office environment
• Ability to multi-task during critical time periods
• Serve on divisional and/or institutional committees
• Other job-related duties as needed

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 psychology, counseling, student development, business, education, or related field required. Experience working with adult learners in undergraduate and online graduate degree programs, and degree completion programs.

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 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.