Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Full-time
Education
Posted on April 2, 2024
Summary
The Office of Student Services in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) is recruiting for an advising position at the Academic Advisor or Senior Academic Advisor level as a Generalist in the area of Humanities and Social Sciences. The incumbent to this position will sustain an environment of effective academic advising for undergraduate students in the College in order to support VCU being a leader among national research universities in providing all students with high-quality learning/living experiences focused on inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global environment. More specifically, to provide resources to improve the student to advisor ratio in departments and schools within the College of Humanities and Sciences. Meeting these needs will improve student engagement through effective academic advising, while supporting the identified metrics of graduation rates and retention.
The VCU job series for this position is Academic Advisor/Senior Academic Advisor in the Academic and Faculty Affairs job family. For more information, please see the VCU Human Resources' Job Family and Salary Ranges site at https://insidehr.vcu.edu/guidelines/compensation/job-families-and-salary-ranges/.
VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here your success is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here, https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/.
VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will add your military years of service to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!
Job-Specific Duties
This position requires a high degree of confidentiality. The main purpose of this position is to sustain an environment of effective academic advising for undergraduate students in the respective program. The person must exercise professional judgment in the following ways:
1. Provide correct up-to-date information about all College and program-specific academic program requirements.
2. Provide correct interpretations of University and College rules and regulations.
3. Be comfortable and accurate in answering pointed questions from parents and students about graduation issues.
4. Be able to tell students they lack requirements for graduation and offer suggestions for completion of the needed requirements (including possible substitutions or waivers of degree requirements).
5. Follow appropriate protocol for situations involving Title IX or FERPA.
1. Provide academic advising services to assigned students:
• Advise students regarding: departmental, College, and University policies and procedures; programs of study; and the development of appropriate academic plans.
• Write letters of recommendation and letters of support for student appeals.
• Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, skills and academic goals and in making decisions regarding their academic career.
• Introduce students to opportunities that will enrich their academic experience, facilitate their academic and personal development, and support their educational success.
• Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University, make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.
• Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students.
• Make appropriate referrals to other university resources.
• Assist students in the online graduation checkout.
• Participate in and provide feedback on training and professional development activities.
2. Collaborate with university partners on matters that impact student recruitment, success, and retention:
• Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives (e.g., Open House, Preview Day).
• Provide advising services to students during New Student Orientation.
• Support departmental and University retention initiatives.
• Contact continuing students who do not register for classes.
3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of student information, including advising interactions:
• Document all advising interactions with students.
• Maintain training on policies including Title IX and FERPA.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records on students.
4. Monitor student progression in degree program and establish advising checkpoints:
• Use the Navigate advising platform to establish targeted student populations for more intensive advising.
• Use DegreeWorks to determine a student's progress in completing degree requirements.
• Meet all assigned advisees at least once a semester.
Job-Specific Education and Experience
Minimum hiring standards for the Academic Advisor 3 position:
•Master's degree from an accredited institution
•A minimum of two years of full-time advising experience working directly with students in a college or university setting.
•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student
environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
•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.Preferred hiring standards for the Academic Advisor 3 position:
•One year of advising experience at VCU with Humanities and Social Science students or exploratory students
•Educational Background in the Humanities or Social Sciences
•Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualized counseling in higher
education.Minimum hiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor position:
•Master's degree from an accredited institution.
•3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and
experience
•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student
environment and commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
•Demonstrated experience providing academic, career, or individualized counseling in higher
education.
•Understand curricula information (including program of study and general education
requirements) for areas of advising specialization.
•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 studentsPreferred hiring standards for the Senior Academic Advisor position:
•A minimum of 3 years professional advising experience or equivalent experience in a related
career field.
•Two years of advising experience at VCU with Humanities and Social Science students or exploratory students
•Completion of coursework or training related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as topics
related to leadership such as conflict resolution, coaching/mentoring, communication styles, or
navigating change.
•Educational Background in the Humanities or Social Sciences
Salary Range:
Academic Advisor 3: $53,820 - $56,520
Senior Academic Advisor 1: $56,520 - $58,860
Job Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements
Physical Demands:
Lighting (<20 lbs.), Marginal
Walking, Marginal
Standing, Marginal
Sitting, Essential
Reaching, Marginal
Repetitive Motion, Marginal
Bending, Marginal
Emotional Demands:
Fast pace, Essential
Average pace, Essential
Multiple stimuli, Essential
Frequent change, Essential
Intense customer interaction, essential
Memory/Sensory Demands:
Memory, Essential
Reasoning, Essential
Hearing, Essential
Reading, Essential
Analyzing, Essential
Logic, Essential
Verbal communication, Essential
Written communication, Essential
Salary Range: $53,820 - $58,860
Position Details:
Department: Office of Student Services, College of Humanities and Sciences
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt
Eligible for Alternative Work Arrangements: Yes, as established under the current VCU FWA guidelines
Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Eligible: Yes
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Juliana Rasnic
Contact Email: jerasnic@vcu.edu
