Undergraduate Advisor

About the role

The Undergraduate Program Advisor (UPA) provides undergraduate advising to more than 1,900 majors, pre-majors, transfer students, and prospective students in the Department of Statistics and Applied Probability.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates individual and group advising to undergraduate students in 4 Majors (B.A., B.S., in Statistics & Data Science; B.S. in Actuarial Science; B.S. in Financial Mathematics and Statistics) and to prospective PSTAT major students.
• Provides advice and assistance to students on all aspects of their academic experience, including degree requirements, enrollment procedures, academic policies, university and departmental policies, academic planning, transfer work, internship placement, and graduation.
• Primary advisor of all UCSB undergraduate students (including non-PSTAT majors) required to enroll in PSTAT courses.
• Assists students in determining a Major; reviews each student's progress towards degree, advises on schedule planning to ensure student's progress through course sequences and avoid conflicts.
• Confirms that students have met requirements for degree completion, including when transfer work is involved.
• Advises students interested in the Education Abroad Program (EAP) and independently approves recommendation for EAP programs.
• Helps students clarify academic and career goals, and suggests ways to develop suitable educational and experiential plans.
• Makes referrals to help students with their academic program (e.g., health services, disabled students program, Colleges / Schools, transfer center).
• Provides customized courses of study to students preparing to enter the Combined BS/MS program in Actuarial Science.
• Identifies students with GPA or progress problems and recommends appropriate courses of action and/or educational resources available to them.
• Identifies personal crisis situations and refers students to appropriate resources.
• Counsels undergraduate students on career options and opportunities.
• Helps students identify their interests, and understand how these factors relate to academic / career satisfaction and choice.
• Provides guidance / assistance in researching educational and occupational opportunities and acquiring internships.
• Assists students with graduate school applications, program selection, and personal statement development.
• Writes letters of recommendation.
• Directs students to available resources for career-related goals including individual faculty members, Career Services, and Graduate Division.
• Plans and coordinates meetings and workshops relating to career options, independent studies, senior thesis, internships, program planning, and other programs related to undergraduates as they arise.
• Coordinates and leads quarterly workshops for students interested in changing Majors.
• Working with UG Affairs faculty, evaluates, processes, and approves or denies change of major petitions to enter any of the 4 distinct PSTAT Majors.
• Reviews student's record for transfer work for major requirements, routes copies of petitions to Letters and Science, Registrar's Office, and other departments as appropriate.
• Enrolls approximately 8,500 undergraduates per year in various PSTAT courses, maximizing available space and TA resources.
• Collects, analyzes, and provides statistics on enrollment trends, prepares enrollment projections, tracks and records faculty workload (IRAL), and works with Student Affairs Manager to implement this information in curriculum planning.
• Sets up enrollment limits, seat reservations, and other course restrictions.
• Advises Chair and Vice Chair on budget requests for extra funding to meet enrollment demands.
• Coordinates and presents information at departmental meetings for new undergraduate students, faculty, and instructors about scheduling procedures and practices and enrollment needs.
• Works with the Student Affairs Manager and the Faculty Undergraduate Program Director to develop a yearly schedule of classes for all undergraduate courses.
• Drafts schedule of courses to be offered each quarter based upon a provided course listing and enrollment trends.
• Works closely with departments whose majors must take PSTAT courses to ensure the schedule will meet the needs of their students; coordinates cross-listed and co-taught courses as appropriate.
• Independently obtains classrooms for courses taking into account the requirements and restrictions of the Registrar, instructor preferences, equipment and facility needs.
• Consults with Registrar and instructors on obtaining appropriate classrooms and advises faculty and Department leadership on options.
• Ensures that the department meets all campus scheduling deadlines.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent experience.

Demonstrated independent problem solving ability.

Ability to multi-task.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to follow guidelines, meet deadlines, and maintain a schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-3 years Administrative Experience or 1-3 years Advising Experience.
• Excellent business writing skills.
• Able to organize and process work with frequent interruptions.
• Able to interact effectively with faculty, staff, students, and visitors on a variety of advising issues.
• - Ability to communicate policy and procedures effectively.
• Attention to detail with the ability to pick up complexities quickly.
• Able to follow through on tasks/projects completely.
• Able to handle a diverse range of responsibilities simultaneously.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially MS Excel, Word, and Outlook), Acrobat X Pro, Google Apps, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Box.
• Proficient in UCSB Systems: GOLD, eGrades, AAA, STAR, Astra).