TRIO Academic Advisor

About the role

Viterbo is seeking an Academic Advisor for TRIO/Student Support Services to support TRIO students through academic advising, success planning, progress monitoring, and referrals to campus resources. The role also assists with TRIO programming, student events, faculty collaboration, and campus engagement. This is a permanent, full-time, 12-month position. This position relies on grant funding.

Responsibilities

• Manage caseload of TRIO first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior students, and students on academic probation (approximately 200 students), keeping accurate student records with use of a web-based note system.
• Build rapport and establish relationships with advisees through regular communication via in-person meetings, email, phone, web- and video-chat, and drop-in office hours.
• Provide balanced support, grounded in the appreciative advising model, to help students identify strengths, clarify interests, develop goals, understand degree requirements, create graduation plans, schedule and register for coursework, understand the use of advising technology tools, and assist students with the transition to college and their major areas of study.
• Utilize the Starfish Connect and Early Alert systems to ensure student success through applying timely, individual intervention to support and follow-up with students.
• Promote students' utilization of the university's academic support and engagement resources to maximize the student experience.
• Accurately advise on curriculum, academic programs (majors, minors, certificates), degree requirements, and engagement options (service learning, study abroad, internships, research).
• Act as an Academic Advising liaison between TRIO and the HUB for Student Success.
• Participate in and help HUB and TRIO programming: welcome back bash, workshops, visit days, new student registration (STAR), Early Bird Orientation, etc.
• Work independently and collaborate with the TRIO and HUB teams to continually improve advising services, staying abreast of current trends and philosophies in academic advising and student support.
• Plan and promote events and activities that benefit TRIO students and first-generation students.
• Partner with faculty to meet the needs of their TRIO students and identify potential TRIO students.
• Attend one-on-one meetings with the Director and department meetings.
• Take part in professional development opportunities as available and appropriate.
• Carry out other responsibilities as delegated or assigned by the Director of TRIO.

Qualifications

• A master's degree in counseling, education, social work, business, or a related field of specialization.
• Three years of significant experience working with diverse student populations in the area of higher education, or a bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, business, or an appropriate area of specialization.
• Five years of significant experience working with diverse, disadvantaged underrepresented student populations in the area of higher education.

Skills

• Organization and detail in record keeping.
• Awareness of college-student needs.
• Sensitivity to the needs of the academically at-risk population and first-generation students.
• Strong working knowledge of computer applications, including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a department that requires adaptability to changing academic needs.