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Academic Advisor III, CHC

Employer
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location
UMass Amherst

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Administrative Jobs
Student Affairs, Academic Advising
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Academic Advisor III, CHC

Job no: 503221
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Commonwealth Honors College
Union: PSU
Categories: Academic Advising & Learning Resources, Professional Staff Union (PSU)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Commonwealth Honors College offers a variety of educational, social, and advising opportunities to support more than 3,300 academically talented undergraduate students. The honors college is a campus-wide program; students from all majors in every academic college are eligible to join the honors college. The Advising Office is located in the CHC Building, which is surrounded by the six residence halls of the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community (CHCRC). CHCRC is home to about 1,500 honors students, and is located on the west side of the UMass Amherst campus, near the main library and the Recreation Center.

Job Summary

Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) Advisor's primary responsibility will be to provide comprehensive individual and group advising services to undergraduate students in CHC. The Academic Advisor will collaborate with CHC administrators & staff to provide outreach, advising programs and services, to create an inclusive environment and enhance student success. They will participate in the development and execution of advising programs such as first year and sophomore group advising sessions, evening hours and New Student Orientation. Additionally, they will participate in college-wide efforts to provide outreach and support to external transfer and on-campus transfer students. The Academic Advisor will use a holistic approach to meet the individual needs of diverse students in an effort to increase student persistence and retention.

Essential Functions

  • Provide holistic advising to CHC students regarding fulfillment of CHC and University requirements, academic regulations and policies, and resolution of academic challenges. Motivate students to understand the importance of undergraduate research and engage students in the planning process so that completion of an Honors Thesis or Portfolio will help maximize academic and professional goals.
  • Collaborate with CHC advising team to develop and implement advising programs that will provide essential information to students as they navigate pursuing honors education on a large campus. Actively participate in the planning and delivery of New Student Orientation, CHC’s Evening Hours, Group Advising Sessions for First-years and Sophomores and other programs.
  • Advise prospective transfer students and current students interested in applying to CHC to help them understand the curriculum options and requirements. Participate in orientation of on-campus students.
  • Work proactively to ensure that students are making progress towards honors course completion and grade performance to facilitate graduation clearance. Work closely with students who are struggling by providing targeted referrals and follow-up to ensure student success. Collaborate with University colleagues to provide timely information about support services. Collaborate with Residence Life staff to provide support around curricular issues for all CHC students.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities to keep updated on new trends in academic advising and student success. Actively collaborate with advising networks on campus in order to stay current on cross-functional knowledge about advising, school/college updates and student support centers at UMass. Keep technological skills up to date to be able to utilize university systems to their fullest capacity and/or be prepared to learn new systems.
  • Other Functions

  • Participate in planning and/or oversight for the Peer Advising Program.
  • Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, College and University goals.
  • Work with the Advising team to provide training and/or support to new professional staff, graduate students or peer advising assistants. Represent CHC at University wide and CHC events.
  • Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Counseling or related field and three years of experience in academic advising in higher education.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate and interact effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators and the public in a friendly and professional manner.
  • Ability to establish a rapport, maintain harmonious working relationships, willingness to work empathetically with a diverse student population.
  • Strong written and verbal skills. Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in a logical sequence.
  • Independent initiative. Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively with minimum amount of supervision or guidance. Willingness to take on a variety of tasks related to the successful operation of the Advising Center. Ability to adapt and work effectively as the college grows.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignment in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects.
  • Ability to understand responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
  • Demonstrated success in working with underrepresented minority students, first generation college students, low income, and non-traditional students.
  • Demonstrated capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
  • Ability to contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal competence.
  • Understand and contribute to the implementation of college and institutional goals for achieving a respectful, equitable and inclusive environment.
  • Demonstrated computer skills, including ability to use Word, Excel, Access. Familiarity with calendar software, website software and social media.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in handling confidential information. Ability to understand, explain, and apply policies and procedures.
  • Understanding of and ability to apply current principles of “whole student” academic advising.
  • Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Master’s Degree in Higher Education, Student Development or related fields and one year experience (or two years part-time) in academic advising in higher education.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of student leadership, experience working with student leaders. Experience teaching and curriculum planning.
  • Training in social justice and/or understanding of Inclusive Excellence.
  • Experience guiding student through the process of engaging in undergraduate research
  • Physical Demands/Working Conditions

    Typical office environment activity.

    Work Schedule

    Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, occasional nights and weekends.

    Salary Information

    Level 26

    PSU Salary Ranges

    Special Instructions to Applicants

    Please include a cover letter, resume and names of three professional references by November 5, 2019 for priority consideration.

    UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

    Advertised: Oct 9 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
    Applications close:

    Organization

    The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the preeminent public research universities in America. Nestled in idyllic Amherst, Massachusetts—often called “The top college town in North America”—the campus is consistently ranked among the top public research universities in the nation, and offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. 

    As one of the nation's top public research universities – as measured by national and international rankings, academic citations, and research funding – the campus spends more than $180 million on research each year, demonstrating its contribution to the nation’s position as a technological and economic leader. The university works in conjunction with academic, government, and private partners to translate new knowledge and scientific discoveries into technical innovations and scholarly works that create opportunities for students, faculty and the public. 

    Eight schools and colleges offer more than 85 undergraduate majors, 68 master’s and 48 doctoral degree programs, many counted among the top programs in the nation and world. UMass Amherst is also home to New England's premier honors college.

    The 1,159 full-time faculty members are dedicated teachers and world-renowned researchers and the campus has regularly been listed among the top performers in terms of faculty awards. With over 24,000 students from all 50 states and over 70 countries, the student body is the most academically successful in the history of the campus. Students participate in 240 organizations, 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams, extensive intramurals, living-learning residence halls, community service, and internships. With one of the largest residential life systems in the nation, UMass Amherst houses approximately 12,000 students on campus. The university is enjoying a facilities renaissance, including new buildings in the sciences, the arts, and recreation. UMass Amherst is part of the Five College consortium with Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst colleges.

    As an employer, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a national leader in developing family-friendly policies, benefits and amenities designed to help faculty members develop both productive careers and satisfying personal lives. The university offers one of the nation’s most generous parental leave policies. The university is also part of the Academic Career Network, a regional consortium formed to serve dual-career couples and encourage greater diversity in the academy.

     

    Company info
    Website
    Telephone
    4135454894
    Location
    181 PRESIDENTS DR
    Whitmore Administration Building
    Amherst
    Massachusetts
    01003
    US

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