Description

The Department of Student Affairs in the School of Nursing at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications fora (Hybrid) Senior Academic Advisor.

About the Opportunity

This position in Undergraduate Education is responsible for providing one-on-one and on-line academic counsel (advising) to approximately 150 - 200 students. You will work closely with the Director of Advising & Student Success at the School of Nursing. This position co-coordinates the unit's initiatives on undergraduate student retention efforts, and evaluates student needs, objectives, interests and previous academic performance to direct achievable academic plan.

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible, non-classified staff position)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

Academic Advising

• Counsel students for undergraduate Nursing programs with regard to the WVU Catalog, undergraduate admission requirements, the School of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook and persistence to degree completion.
• Manage an academic caseload of approximately 150 - 200 undergraduate students who are primarily, but not exclusively, majoring in BSN degree and programs at West Virginia University.
• Employ developmental and prescriptive models of academic advising in identifying competencies in quantitative, expository, and technical subjects required for successful matriculation to Nursing.
• Work individually with students to build an academic matriculation plan and promote timely admission into a desired department/major.
• Utilize the WVU Undergraduate Catalog and research university/college policies and procedures to aid in providing accurate and timely academic counsel.
• Coordinate the approval process for students attempting course work in transient. Review course offerings at transient institutions, obtain course syllabi, and consult with other colleges/schools in identifying equivalent.
  
  WVU courses, particularly when transient institutions are not among those within the Transfer Equivalency Review Request (TERR).
• Assist students with federal financial aid appeals in compliance with the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility and deadlines established by the Office of Financial Aid.
• Assess students' concerns and make referrals to other University representatives/units (i.e. faculty, academic chairpersons, student support units, etc.)
• Assist in academic advising workshops to instruct students on student information systems utilized for course registration, progression toward degree completion, etc.
• Adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by maintaining the strictest confidentiality of academic records.

Teaching

• Serve as the primary instructor for the First-Year Seminar course during the fall term for Pre-Nursing and Nursing students.
• Mentor students on employing the appropriate dialogue and degree of professionalism in communicating with faculty, staff, senior administrators and external constituents.

Programs and Events

• Participate in New Student Orientation by assisting freshman students with course registration, defining the general education foundation, assessing persistence to degree completion, interpreting policies and procedures that govern undergraduate admissions and degree requirements.
• Assist with other university events, including Decide WVU days, Mid-Year Academy, etc., some of which are scheduled outside normal university operating hours.
• Serve on staffing and selection committees as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience. Higher education experience highly desirable, particularly in the area of student advising, recruitment and enrollment management.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving:
  • Experience working in higher education, preferably in student services.
  • Experience working with young adults, preferably in high school or higher education.
  • Experience working in academic advising, career counseling or psychological counseling.
  • Experience working with at-risk students and coordinating remedial educational programs or equivalent.
• Knowledge of developmental and prescriptive theories of academic advising.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Knowledge of electronic and manual records keeping, preferably proficiency with DegreeWorks.
• Proficiency in student systems management, preferably working knowledge of Banner.
• Ability to work collaboratively with WVU students.
• Ability to interpret University procedures and policies and convey such information to students.
• Ability to work in high stress environments efficiently to provide academic counsel to large numbers of students.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to interpret and comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.
• Ability to work independently and with direct supervision.

• The ability to travel to WVUs regional campuses and/or within the multi-state area is required.