Senior Academic Advisor

Mission:

At VCU, we provide UNcommon, research, creativity, service and discovery - the hallmarks of
the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best
employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It's a place of opportunity, where your success is
supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for
advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Summary:

VCU's School of Education (SOE) seeks a Senior Academic Advisor Level 2 who embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. At VCU, we believe different perspectives and expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process, so we welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

Job Summary:

The Senior Academic Advisor will provide information and advice to students concerning academic plans and progress, academic schedule, choice of major, and other academic activities and career goals. This academic advisor will reside in the School of Education and serve as an institutional representative to provide insight and direction to students to support successful academic, social, and personal developmental outcomes. The Senior advisor will be a member of the Office of Student Success and School of Education Student Affairs team. The Senior Academic Advisor possesses a greater knowledge of the academic advising profession and is further distinguished by the complexity of assigned work; the ability to identify options and develop solutions for unique or unprecedented situations; greater decision-making authority; and the judgment, resourcefulness, and ability to identify issues and/or areas that should be addressed differently. They are resources for others, participating in mentoring, coaching, and training..

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Working independently or with minimal supervision, a Senior Academic Advisor Level 2 will serve as one of the primary academic advisors in the school of education and resource for an assigned caseload within the unit. The job responsibilities of the School of Education Senior Academic Advisor may include but are not limited to:

• Advising students in matters related to goals, policies, academic planning, registration, study habits, course scheduling, and problem resolution.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential records of student interactions and information through effective advising documentation.
• Understanding and communicating federal, university, unit, and/or departmental policies and procedures about academic regulations and degree progression.
• Participating in Student Success activities, programs, and initiatives, including providing advising information to prospective and/or continuing students at various events, such as New Student Orientation and Open Houses.
• Guiding students through appeals processes with minimal support from leadership, including (but not limited to) Financial Aid (SAP) Appeals, Academic Regulations (ARAC) Appeals, andGrade Appeals.
• Assisting academic departments/ and program coordinators with the development and maintenance of academic plans, understanding of advising principles, and implementing University policies and procedures in the areas of student enrollment and evaluation.
• Meeting student needs and professional responsibilities through demonstrated innovation and creativity.
• Participating in service to the VCU community through UAAB by actively attending meetings and/or participating in initiatives to serve the larger student population.
• Hosting and/or developing student success activities, programs, and initiatives and executing them in collaboration with university partners.
• Creating and implementing retention efforts for a caseload in collaboration with the director for student success in implementing advising unit improvement processes.
• Serving as an example for other professionals in fostering a welcoming and safe environment for a diverse population of students, staff, and faculty.
• Participating in strategic planning/initiative development; serving on the unit or university-wide committees or other service opportunities.
• As appropriate, serving as a liaison, departmental representative, or chair designee for university events, committees or decision-making.
• Actively seeking out and participating in leadership or mentorship training and opportunities.
• Developing goals and objectives for the improvement of the advising unit in conjunction with the director of student success and implementing plans for improving advising functions and models within the unit.
• Maintaining knowledge of and advocating for best practices to serve diverse student populations.
• Serving as a supervisor for the graduate assistant academic advisor Demonstrated Experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with at-risk student populations to improve success outcomes and demonstrated innovation or outreach via programming, the promotion of high-impact practices, or the utilization of technology.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening
• Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a member at VCU.
• Maintaining a nuanced understanding and history of university policies/institutional knowledge.
• Demonstrated effective and consistent working relationships with university and community partners.
• Designing, implementing, and assessing new outreach or advising initiatives that address department/unit-level student needs, graduation, retention, or educational success.

Typical Duties:

• Demonstrated experience working with at-risk student populations to improve success outcomes and demonstrated innovation or outreach via programming, the promotion of high-impact practices, or the utilization of technology.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to ask searching questions and practice active listening
• Ability to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for students
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a member at VCU.
• Maintaining a nuanced understanding and history of university policies/institutional knowledge.
• Demonstrated effective and consistent working relationships with university and community partners.
• Designing, implementing, and assessing new outreach or advising initiatives that address department/unit-level student needs, graduation, retention, or educational success.