Academic Advisor

About the role

The chosen candidate will advise for the Theatre Department programs within the College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to helping support our Interdisciplinary Programs. The position will help students craft a successful academic experience, including the development of a culture of empowering student success, engagement through inside and outside-the-classroom opportunities, and the transition to meaningful careers. The selected candidate will likely work closely with individual academic departments and their programs.

Responsibilities

• Aid students in creating and managing a program of study that maximizes their potential for success while in school, graduation in a timely manner, and opportunities to reach academic and career goals after graduation.
• Provide students with correct up-to-date academic information about university graduation requirements.
• Track students' academic progress and inform them of their status in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the assigned departments to recruit and retain high quality students.
• Participate in assessment activities, including assisting department decision-makers with information about course enrollment and program information.
• Develop expertise in academic advising tools such as: DegreeWorks, Banner, Aggie Handshake, etc.
• Assist students in the exploration of their educational goals, including possible areas of study, class selection, connecting students to curricular and extracurricular opportunities, and exploring career and graduate school opportunities.
• Help students understand the expected standards of achievement and likelihood of success in areas of study as well as providing them information about alternatives, limitations, and possible consequences of academic decisions.
• Maintain familiarity with available campus resources and effectively connect students to campus resources when appropriate.
• Recommend students for a variety of awards and scholarships.
• Maintain and update student files to effectively track student progress.
• Assist in other areas as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Excellent computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office.
• Experience working directly with students in an academic setting.
• Appreciation and interest in the arts; knowledge of music or performing arts programs is a plus.
• Understanding of developmental academic advising processes.
• Experience with the software programs DegreeWorks, Banner, and/or Aggie Handshake.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
  • Knowledge of student development and the ability to serve and assist the students in developing effective academic plans and career and life goals in order to promote student retention and academic success.
  • Knowledge of student advising and graduation requirements to the academic major, department or school and the ability to anticipate department and/or student needs.
  • Ability to creatively and independently problem solve by prioritizing and multitasking while under pressure.
  • Ability to serve individuals with diverse personalities through the use of effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a team environment with a commitment to creating a collaborative environment.
  • Ability to understand and form a commitment to USU's missions, strategic directions, and communities of engaged learners.
  • Knowledge of university course schedules, course curriculum and degree requirements.
  • Knowledge of student advisement methods and techniques (monitoring students' classes, scheduling, academic progress and registration).
  • Ability to keep student information confidential and abide by all FERPA laws.
  • Ability to always maintain professionalism even in high stress situations.
  • Understanding of, or ability to learn university IT systems including, DegreeWorks, Banner, Aggie Handshake, and other academic and office productivity software.
  • Ability to work on one's own with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with students in an academic setting.
• Appreciation and interest in the arts; knowledge of music or performing arts programs is a plus.
• Understanding of developmental academic advising processes.
• Experience with the software programs DegreeWorks, Banner, and/or Aggie Handshake.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:
  • Knowledge of student development and the ability to serve and assist the students in developing effective academic plans and career and life goals in order to promote student retention and academic success.
  • Knowledge of student advising and graduation requirements to the academic major, department or school and the ability to anticipate department and/or student needs.
  • Ability to creatively and independently problem solve by prioritizing and multitasking while under pressure.
  • Ability to serve individuals with diverse personalities through the use of effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a team environment with a commitment to creating a collaborative environment.
  • Ability to understand and form a commitment to USU's missions, strategic directions, and communities of engaged learners.
  • Knowledge of university course schedules, course curriculum and degree requirements.
  • Knowledge of student advisement methods and techniques (monitoring students' classes, scheduling, academic progress and registration).
  • Ability to keep student information confidential and abide by all FERPA laws.
  • Ability to always maintain professionalism even in high stress situations.
  • Understanding of, or ability to learn university IT systems including, DegreeWorks, Banner, Aggie Handshake, and other academic and office productivity software.
  • Ability to work on one's own with minimal supervision.