Academic Advisor Student Success

With a legacy that spans over 150 years, Bon Secours is a network that is dedicated to providing excellent care through exceptional people. At every level, everyone on our teams have embraced the call to provide compassionate care. Here, you can work with others who share common values, and use your skills to help extend care to all of our communities.

This position is located at the Southside College of Health Sciences, Colonial Heights, VA. It is an opportunity to work in a fast growing environment.

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position  

The Academic Advisor of Student Success (Success Advisor) serves as a member of the RHEI advising team in which students are placed at the center of all that we do and supports students throughout the student lifecycle by providing academic advising and academic counseling to all student populations as guided by the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the Richmond Higher Education Institutions and Office of Student Success.  The Success Advisor partners with students, faculty and administration of the RHEIs to support students in pursuit of their educational goals and to ensure they have access to support, services, and resources that assist students in their academic journey.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides academic assistance and advising to a diverse student population including non-traditional on-campus and hybrid/online learners to facilitate students’ successful and timely educational planning and degree completion in alignment with their educational and career goals.  

• Assists students in developing skills and strategies which foster independent, active learning, academic success and progression, timely degree completion and achievement of their educational goals.

• Evaluates student needs and provides appropriate resource referral to career, academic, counseling, and student life resources and opportunities.

• Provides insight and direction to students in making decisions concerning education goals leading to graduation.  Serves as institutional representative and vital connection in helping students understand college resources, policies, and procedures. 

• Contributes to the development, implementation, and assessment of academic and non-academic programming, advising tools and resources.  Identifies, recommends, and helps coordinate academic assistance resources, programming, and related auxiliary support services.

• Develops a rapport of trust and accessibility with assigned students in caseload.  Ensures accurate academic advising and quality support, contributing to persistence and a positive student experience.  Upholds sound equity and inclusion practices for student success with all students.

• Collaborates with faculty and the Director of Student Success to identify at-risk students and develops an action plan to facilitate student success.  Assists with retention programming for all programs. Helps develop and team teach parts of the Orientation course for incoming students.

• Functions as a member of the student success team to ensure the proper workflow, continuous improvement and outcomes of the office.  Collaborate with colleagues to advance quality advising practices.

• Monitors student progress and develops graduation plans in partnership with individual students.  Provide information regarding curriculum, policies, procedures, opportunities and guidelines for academic programs.

• Represents the Office of Student Success at internal and external events and functions. Participates in student organizations and on committees, provides support for student affairs/student life initiatives.

• Supports strategic support efforts as directed by the Dean and Director of Student Success, including but not limited to new student orientation, campus connections, continuing student programming, and commencement.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

N/A

Education

Master’s Degree (required) (Education, Counseling, Psychology, Student Development)

Work Experience

(2) years and recent experience in academic advising, higher education counseling or a closely related field. (required)

Strong technology skills including on-line course management software, web-enabled student success resources, student information systems. Experience counseling/advising both traditional and non-traditional learners in a face-to-face and virtual environment. The ability to assess student needs and make referrals to external resources. Strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills to interact with diverse students, faculty and administration. Professional demeanor and strong commitment to excellent customer service.  Ability to work independently and collaboratively.  Self-directed. (required)

Prefer the ability to evaluate disability documentation and apply information to determine appropriate accommodations and services; ability to effectively engage with college students with disabilities. Knowledge of disabilities, as well as Section 504, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and FERPA laws. (preferred)

Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com