Director, University Advisement Center

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Director, University Advisement Center.

Position Details LocationHattiesburg

118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001
United States DivisionProvost and Sr VP for Academic Affairs Position TypeStaff Employment StatusFull Time Grant FundedNo Salary Range63,000.00 - 70,000.00 Posting Close Date08/07/2019

Special Instructions to Applicants
The University of Southern Mississippi welcomes applications from enthusiastic, student-centered, experienced professionals who want to contribute to the student success mission of the institution as the founding Director of a new University Advisement Center. For your application, please upload a professional resume,detailed cover letter, and statement on your leadership philosophy (300 words).In this statement, describe how you conceptualize “advisement” and how youwould approach leading the new Advisement Center at Southern Miss. If you haveany questions, feel free to email Christina.Foreman@usm.edu.

Job Summary
In leading a team of professional advisors whowork with first-year students, the Director will work collaboratively with the ExecutiveVice Provost for Academic Affairs and key student success offices and academicunits across the institution to ensure that students receive holistic supportas they transition to the University. The Director will administer dailyoperations of the Advisement Center, manage and support a team of professionaladvisors, commit to continuous improvement and professional development, andcollaborate with other campus leadership to support student success. TheAdvisement Center will begin phased implementation in 2019-2020, and thefounding Director will be a person who embraces the opportunity to be involvedas it grows and becomes integrated into the campus culture and structure overthe next three years.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Work with the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs to create the strategic direction of the Advisement Center, adjusting the advisement model as needed, identifying opportunities for growth, and building on strengths to enhance the work of the Center as it expands over the next two years. The Director will also work collaboratively and effectively with Directors, administrators, faculty and staff to achieve goals.


1. Launch phase one of the Advisement Center, with a limited roll-out to select areas of campus, then expand to support all first-year students in the upcoming two years. This process will include partnerships with academic advisors within the programs and colleges to ensure smooth transitions for students as they enter the University, learn essential skills and connections, and move through the Advisement Center to root in their major area of choice in their sophomore year.
   
   
2. Manage daily operations of the Advisement Center, including budgets, staff hiring, and communications; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, to include written reports and public presentations as needed; attend workshops, present at office meetings, and/or hold membership in strategic professional organizations (e.g., NACADA).
   

3. Supervise eight professional academic advisors and ensure that advisors provide unbiased guidance to undeclared students and those considering changing majors, working in partnership with Career Services and others; ensure that advisors are operating with consistency, regularly referring students as appropriate, and responding to student inquiries in a timely fashion; work with the Executive Vice Provost to hire additional professional advisors as the Advisement Center expands;
   

4. Identify and support continuous professional development and training of staff to improve advising skills, including recognizing and supporting the needs of diverse student populations;

5. Assess all Advisement Center operations for continuous improvement; and perform other duties as assigned.
   

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Three years professional work experience in a post-secondary institution with advisement, counseling, or other student academic support work
• One year supervisory and/or management experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate teachingexperience
• Prior leadership position in advisement center or equivalent
• Experience with data analysis, program evaluation and assessment, and use of student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft)
  

Supervisory Responsibilities
The Director will oversee eight professional academic advisors during the 2019-2020 academic year, with continued expansion of the number of advisors up to 18 in the next two years. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Communication: Demonstrates the ability to deliver accurate, concise and quality communication (verbal and written) in a timely manner. Encourages an open exchange of ideas and differing perspectives. Adapts communication style to meet the needs of diverse audiences and situations. Listens to understand others. Provides quality feedback.

• Professional Knowledge and Application: Knowledge of research on student development, retention, and persistence of diverse student populations. Takes initiative to develop and apply professional knowledge and skills in order to enhance individual effectiveness and improve organizational performance. Creates opportunities to apply new learnings and best practices into innovative solutions that positively impact results. Seeks opportunities for development for both self and the team. Become fully knowledgeable and maintain expertise on academic policies/ procedures and major/degree plans according to the advisor’s area in addition to student resources throughout the University, including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and beyond.

• Leadership: Demonstrates an openness to feedback and utilizes feedback and other resources to improve performance. Coaches others to build on their strengths and improve team culture and outcomes. Responds effectively and promptly to concerns with candid and meaningful feedback and provides employees with strategies for improvement as needed. Recognizes successes in others and supports their growth. Collaborates productively with others on campus who work to support student success. Align goals with those of the Provost’s office, and work independently to achieve them. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Knowledge of recent research on diversity and inclusion in higher education. Commitment to inclusion of underrepresented groups (e.g., by ethnicity, race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ability, or socioeconomic status) and strategically addressing student achievement gaps.

• Assessment and Accountability: Strives to improve continuously as a leader and as an office. Assesses work regularly and shifts as needed, communicating with supervisor about results and recommendations for improvement. Seeks growth through professional networks and identifies new models and ways to adjust work to meet the needs of our diverse student body and to optimize the partnerships with offices across the University.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.