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POSTED: 11/16/09

Academic Advisor

University Honors Program

University of Minnesota

Close Date: Open until filled

Position Description:

The University Honors Program provides guidance and opportunities to students across the University as they develop into broad, creative, independent, and informed thinkers. UHP collaborates with units across the University to serve high ability students through enriched courses and seminars and hands-on experiences applying their knowledge in the laboratory, studio, or community.

Duties:

Advise Honors students, across a broad range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, from freshman orientation through graduation with Latin Honors. Participate in and contribute to the ongoing development of the University Honors Program. Provide liaison support with other units as assigned. Conduct regular student progress reviews and post-freshman/transfer application reviews. Participate in promotional events that feature UHP. Engage in professional development, service activities, and lifelong learning.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Significant experience of at least two years teaching and/or advising in a higher education setting, to include developing, planning, and implementing support and advising activities.
• Interest in working with students in the social sciences and humanities.
• Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills, team-building and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work tactfully and effectively with faculty, staff and students and to use sound judgment under pressure.
• Technological competence related to student support services, including word processing, spreadsheets and database management.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and working with details of complex policies.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as collaboratively, and commitment to working with students.
• Interest in or experience working with high ability students.
• Experience with or exposure to diverse populations.

Application Process:

All applicants must apply via the University of Minnesota Online Employment System at https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=84144. In addition to the online application, candidates must provide a letter of interest, a resume or CV, and a list of references. These materials must be attached to the online application. Candidates who are selected for an interview will need to provide an official transcript showing completion of a qualifying degree at the time of the interview.

Contact Information:

Questions about this position may be directed to Mary Moga, Search Committee Chair, at mogax003@umn.edu

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POSTED:  11/13/09

Academic Advisor

College of Biological Sciences- Student Services

University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

Close Date: 11/20/2009

Position Description

Academic Advisors participate in three areas of responsibility, including academic advising and student advocacy, program development and management, and professional development and service. By helping students to identify their strengths, interests, pertinent resources, information, and learning opportunities, CBS advisors assist students in building skills to make commitments that inform and guide their educational plans. They work with students throughout their collegiate careers (from admission to graduation) to help them successfully achieve their goals.

Duties

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

70% Academic Advising & Student Advocacy:

-Implement the CBS advising philosophy to foster student learning and development by helping students to build skills and make commitments that inform and guide their educational plans, and facilitate timely graduation and progress toward career goals.

-Guide students through the process of identifying strengths and interests, formulating personalized educational plans, and developing strategies for academic success.

-Assist students in building skills to facilitate achievement of the CBS and University of Minnesota student learning and development outcomes.

-Develop and initiate techniques to enhance advising efforts and engage in proactive outreach and communications to students.

-Advise students concerning course requirements and course availability, and help students identify educational learning opportunities and resources.

-Monitor student progress towards degree requirements in order to intervene, advise and recommend solutions to facilitate students' progress and success.

-Provide advising to students through one-on-one appointments, drop-in advising, group advising, and telephone and email communication.

-Work with students to provide support related to the adjustment to academic/university life, and make appropriate university and community referrals based on individual student needs.

-Facilitate appropriate intervention and advocacy.

-Interpret and implement University policies and procedures.

-Utilize databases (e.g., APAS, PeopleSoft) to complete advising responsibilities.

-Contribute to the development of tools to effectively support and evaluate student learning and record management.

Essential 20% Program Development & Management:

-Design and implement student development activities based on assessment data and best practices.

-Serve as lead advisor for select student services initiatives and programs, such as orientation, study abroad, workshops, and other special events, by identifying needs, outcomes, and resources, and evaluating effectiveness.

-Work closely with faculty and campus staff to develop programs and plans to effectively deliver advising and support services to students.

-Participate in Student Services efforts to improve retention rates, four-year graduation rates, and student satisfaction.

-Track and summarize data to analyze trends and make recommendations for improvement of office practices.

10% Professional Development & Service:

-Engage in professional development and service activities related to the advising and student services profession, within the University of Minnesota community and beyond.

-Contribute to the strategic planning process for the Office of Student Services and ongoing evaluation for improvement of services.

-Serve as a liaison to an academic department.

-Actively contribute to the improvement of written and electronic advising information and materials.

-Continue professional development and scholarly activity in the field of academic advising to maintain knowledge of trends and best practices (e.g., membership in professional associations, attendance at conferences and seminars, write and publish articles, serve on teams and collaborate with other professional groups, etc.).

-Serve on Student Services, College, and University-wide committees as requested.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree in higher education and student affairs, college student personnel psychology, counseling, social work, or field related to advising. Significant experience (of one to seven years) in an educational setting performing academic advising and developing, planning, and implementing support activities for a diverse student body. Commitment to fostering student learning and applying student development to work with students. Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills, team-building, and interpersonal skills. Compassion and enthusiasm for the undergraduate experience. Exceptional work-ethic. Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as collaboratively. Strong computer experience with word processing and database management. Commitment to equal opportunity and diversity and is able to appreciate and support diverse student backgrounds and experiences. Ability to initiate projects and programs and see them through to completion. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize conflicting demands. Ability to effectively deal with conflict.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with Biological Sciences and the University of Minnesota community. Knowledge of assessment best practices. Proficient with PeopleSoft, MS Word and Excel, and databases.

Application Process

In order to be considered for this position please apply online via the Employment System at https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=84145.

Institutional Information

CBS Student Services empowers students to identify, develop, and achieve their academic, career, and personal goals so they graduate in a timely manner and are engaged citizens after college. Through helping students to identify meaningful goals that reflect their interests and strengths, and create academic and co-curricular plans, CBS Student Services staff members are educators who teach students to recognize and connect learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, to their broader goals.

Contact Information

Nikki Letawsky Shultz

nlshultz@umn.edu