Academic Advisor I

About the role

This position will play a vital role in maximizing undergraduate student retention by building relationships with students and clarifying procedures and academic requirements for specific programs or majors. The Academic Advisor I may serve programs including biochemistry, genetics, forensic and investigative sciences, entomology, animal science, poultry science, nutrition, and food science and technology.

Responsibilities

• Advises Students (65%)
  • Collaborates with students to understand and develop realistic and attainable educational and academic goals and provides input on related majors, minors, future education and career options that best align with goals.
  • Educates students about and prepares and assists them with the full array of academic processes (e.g., registration, add/drop, Q drops, withdrawals, change of curriculum submissions, etc.) by sharing university and college policies, program requirements, transfer credit decisions, etc.
  • Reviews students’ academic records and counsels students regarding core and degree course selection and the implications of selected courses and/or exception requests.
  • Provides input on probationary decisions.
  • Creates and maintains updated relevant records and notes (e.g., student contact, advisor notes).
• Delivers Student Success and Retention Strategies (15%)
  • Consistently engages the student population utilizing various outreach methods (e.g., in-person and online) to cultivate professional relationships and keep students informed of critical and relevant personal, academic, and professional deadlines, updates, information, and events.
  • Proactively shares with students available academic, professional, and health and wellness resources (e.g., Academic Success Center, Career Center, Student Organizations, Counseling & Psychological Services, Disability Resources, etc.). May refer students with identified needs as appropriate.
  • Actively monitors students’ progress through the program by reviewing and assessing academic records to determine status of progression, completion of degree requirements, and identifying students who may need additional intervention and guidance to reach academic goals.
  • Assists in the planning and/or delivery of various department-related advising, student success, retention events, and academic campaigns (e.g., New Student Conference, 1st semester advising, inquiries from prospective students).
  • Assesses individual students’ stage of academic development and promotes their growth by determining suitable developmental tasks.
• Training (up to 20% per year)
  • Complete in-class and on-the-job training programs, which may include shadowing, departmental/college/school trainings, university training, university, state, and national advisor meetings, regular staff and supervisory meetings, and other activities approved by the supervisor.
  • Required trainings include: Advisor Onboarding; Becoming an Advisor.
  • Time reserved for training may be adjusted after year one based on employee performance and supervisor discretion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Novice proficiency in:
  • Initiating, building, and maintaining effective relationships
  • Communicating with others in a clear and concise manner that is audience appropriate
  • Researching information to meet situation parameters
  • Collaborating with others within and across departments/groups
  • Actively listening to determine speakers’ goals, needs, and/or challenges
  • Organizing, prioritizing, and working effectively to meet goals and parameters of simultaneous projects
  • Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Advanced beginner proficiency in:
  • Ability to use various computer programs to include word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications
  • Ability to work with confidential information

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of student development in higher education
• Ability to lead students in developing education and personal goals

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12–15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife