Description:

STUDENT SUCCESS ADVISOR – 2 POSITIONS

Office of Minority Student Affairs

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accepting applications for two Student Success Advisor positions. A critical position in the office, the Student Success Advisor will work alongside a team of professionals that are making transformative moves to improve the retention, success, and graduation rates for undergraduate students, from low-income, and/or academically underserved communities. We invite individuals with specialized training, skills, and experiences helping students succeed to apply.

Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability or criminal conviction history. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).

Primary Position Function/Summary:

The Student Success Advisor is responsible for providing advising and counseling to select freshmen and transfer students in the Student Success Advising and Outreach unit of OMSA, as well as providing supervision for the graduate staff. This position will work closely with academic units to investigate and troubleshoot problems and barriers that prevent student success.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Advising:

• Serves as an advocate and resource for assigned students and maintain frequent, systematic contact with those students.
• Assists students in understanding and negotiating the academic rules and regulations that govern academic eligibility, progress, and successful degree Completion.
• Works with OMSA and the colleges to identify students whose behaviors indicate a lack of academic success strategies and refer students for academic retention services.
• Directs purposeful discussion with students to identify academic strengths and challenges, gauge adjustment to academic and social life on campus, and providing advice regarding viable pathways that may lead to enhanced student success.
• Assists students to create and populate e-portfolios to include: Student Success Plans such as SmartGoals, to create and populate a Co-Curricula transcript along with creating and developing career pathway plans.
• Evaluates student needs objectively, fairly, and consistently and make appropriate referrals.
• Maintains detailed and thorough notes on individual advising sessions using unit and campus level reporting mechanisms.
• Assists with the development of reports, data analysis and assessment of students’ first year term by term engagement and success.
• Maintains awareness of current trends and best practices regarding student outreach and/or retention; assist with developing retention strategies, and work closely with staff in implementing, evaluating, and improving retention strategies.
• Participates in open office hour sessions/rotations to advise students seeking assistance but are not specifically targeted to receive assigned mentoring services.
• Maintains awareness of a variety of institutional information including new majors, minors, certificate programs, deadlines and important dates etc.
• Builds, fosters and maintains intentional relationships with relevant campus departments, units and/or colleges.
• Coordinates communications to the students.
• Provides administrative support through assisting in general administrative planning and resource allocation.

Supervising

• Supervises the day-to-day activities of the graduate staff (Mentors).
• Assists with hiring, onboarding, training, career development, feedback, corrective measures and evaluation of the Mentors.
• Works with Mentors to assist with trouble-shooting student related issues and stressors.
• Disseminates accurate and timely information to the Mentors.
• Serves as a coach and counsel to assist Mentors in meeting performance goals.
• Schedules biweekly individual meetings with Mentors.
• Coordinates and host monthly advising leadership meetings.

Other General Duties

• Participates in staff, committee, and other meetings as assigned.
• Participates in the annual new student recruiting and yielding activities.
• Performs evening, weekend and business/conference travel as requested.
• Assists with meeting the operational needs by performing other appropriate related duties.

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree from a discipline appropriate for administering comprehensive, collegiate academic support service and mentoring.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree from a discipline appropriate for administering comprehensive, collegiate academic support service and mentoring.

Required Experience:

Two years of experience with academic advising, student retention, academic coaching, mentoring, or counseling. A minimum of two years of experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, first generation, low-income, TRIO or EOP. Working knowledge of student systems such (e.g., Banner, Uachieve, DARS, Transferology, etc.).

Preferred Experience:

Three years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to think clearly, creatively, and to solve problems proactively. Excellent communication and administrative skills. Ability to learn and disseminate detailed information. Ability to work effectively individually and collaboratively. Ability to manage competing priorities successfully. Ability to advise, mentor, and coach students successfully. Must be student centered and service oriented.

Background Checks

This is a security-sensitive position. The chosen candidate is required to pass an extensive criminal background check prior to starting the position.

Appointment Status: This is a 12-month, full-time Academic Professional position.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and includes an excellent benefits package.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

Application Procedures

Please complete your application profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload: (1) cover letter addressing qualifications, experiences, and how you comply with requirements; (2) a résumé with specific month and year for dates of employment; and (3) contact information, including relationship to applicant, for three references. Submission of materials in one PDF document is desired but not required. Evidence of degree will be required prior to first day of employment.

Incomplete materials will not be considered. Applications may be reviewed and interviews may occur immediately but will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. To ensure full consideration, submit your completed materials by March 13, 2019; no appointments will be made prior to this date. Completed materials submitted after March 13, 2019 will be considered only as needed Faxes, mail, or hand-deliveries will not be accepted.

For additional information regarding the application procedures, please contact:

Office of Minority Student Affairs

Human Resources

217-333-0054 (phone)

omsa-hr@illinois.edu

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

College Name or Administrative Unit:Student Affairs Category:5-Education and Student Services Title:Student Success Advisor - Office of Minority Student Affairs (109859) Open Date:02/20/2019 Organization Name:Ofc Minority Std Aff