Academic Advisor 1

Summary:

The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for an Academic Advisor 1. Reporting to the Director of Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Student Services, this position will provide guidance to undergraduate students on academic programs and university procedures and documents related to completing their undergraduate education; advise undergraduate students and partner with faculty from admission through graduation to ensure academic success; and collaborate with various university academic units to provide support to and recruit undergraduate students. This position will identify and explore educational and career goals for the undergraduate population, assist with experiential learning and career preparation activities, and with student resources for professional development and exploration (including the Student Success Newsletter).

The Wilder School's mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 19 in Social Policy, No. 28 in Urban Policy, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/ .

Core Responsibilities

1. Provide academic advising services to assigned students:
a. Advise students regarding: departmental, collegiate, and University policies and procedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academic plans.
b. Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.

c. Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, and academic goals, and in making decisions regarding their academic careers.

d. Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academic experience, facilitate their academic and personal development, and support their educational success.

e. Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University, make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.

f. Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students.

g. Make appropriate referrals to other university resources.

h. Assist students in completing graduation applications.
i. Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional development activities.

2. Collaborate with Wilder School Student Services team and university partners on matters that impact student recruitment, success, and retention:

a. Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives.
b. Provide advising information to prospective students and/or parents.
c. Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation.
d. Support departmental and University retention and enrollment initiatives.
e. Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.
f. Update Student Success Newsletter announcements.

3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information, including advising interaction

a. Document all advising interactions with students.

b. Maintain accurate and confidential records on students.

4. Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advising checkpoints:
a. Use the Student Success Collaborative (SSC) advising platform to establish targeted student populations on caseload for more intensive advising.
b. Use DegreeWorks & Navigate to determine student's progress in completing degree requirements.

5. Engage in outreach activities to provide information to Wilder School students through personal contacts, small group advising, and presentations.

6. Meet with students one-on-one, in small groups, and through classroom presentations to provide resources, guidance and support for student success (timely degree completion, college transition issues, preliminary course selection, faculty advisor relations, residential life, study strategies, career exploration, academic policies and degree requirements, early alert/mid-term/academic progress reports, experiential learning, and time management); retention efforts: contact advisees who have not registered and discuss strategies for removing barriers of registration; actively participate and engage in outreach strategies for retention and engagement efforts; refer students to appropriate departmental offices and support services; utilize assessment tools towards goal objectives of achieving academic success self- awareness, and student learning; maintain documentation for tracking and monitoring academic success and retention.

7. Other duties as assigned by the Director, Assistant Dean of Student Services, and Sr. Associate Dean of Faculty & Academic Affairs.