Student Success Advisor

DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY (DSU) is a regional comprehensive institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to intellectual, social, economic, and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota. The University’s mission is to provide high quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the economy, health, and quality of life for the citizens of the State of North Dakota.

DSU is seeking to hire a Student Success Advisor. This position assists with advising, early alert, retention, at-risk student meetings, and serves as a liaison between SOAR Center personnel, faculty, staff, and students. This position places a particular emphasis on identifying, supporting, and developing programs for at-risk students including but not limited to, first generation and low-income students.

The areas and programs that comprise the Student Opportunity and Resource (SOAR) Center provide resources and services to assist students in pursuing their academic goals at Dickinson State University, in and out of the classroom. SOAR Center offices work collaboratively to enhance the mission of DSU through servant-centered leadership and providing high-quality and accessible programs promoting excellence in learning and supporting scholarly activities. SOAR Center includes academic and advising resources, career development, disability services and tutoring services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Proficiencies using Microsoft Office Suite
• Attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate and facilitate conversation with diverse populations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidential files and documentation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• Minimum 3 years work experience
• Master’s degree
• Education background
• Experience in Higher Education
• Prior experience using PeopleSoft
• Prior experience with Starfish or other retention software

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advising, Registration, and Intervention
  • Provide academic support and intervention for incoming and returning students.
    • Provide high-impact engagement and continuous monitoring, tracking, and support from enrollment to completion. Student Success Advisors are the consistent point of contact, responsible for helping students navigate their higher education journey.
  • Consult and coordinate with Admissions to ensure a smooth transition for students.
  • Assist students through first time enrollment.
  • Identify individual needs through individualized academic plans each semester. Provide guidance and advise students of available academic advising, financial, and personal services based on semester need(s).
  • Schedule and conduct face-to-face advising sessions re: academics, finances, career planning, personal issues as needed with individual students.
  • Provide individual academic skills workshops as needed.
  • Conduct financial planning advising to assist participants in budgeting as well as applying for scholarships and other financial or grant aid. Help students understand their account with the institution (excess aid, payment of fees, business office holds, etc.)
  • Initiate internal referral system for students needing services including but not limited to, Accessibility Services, Financial Aid, Student Counseling & Health Services, Tutoring, Campus Life, Testing, and other campus and community offices.
  • Plan and organize interventions strategies to be utilized with students on academic probation and suspension.
  • Monitor and assess the success of interventions strategies.
  • Assist with various student outreach, retention, and communication initiatives.
    • Maintain a case roster of students; track student engagements; assist with development and presentation of reports and data.
  • Provide advising support for incoming and returning students as part of the Advising Center.
    • Academic areas include but are not limited to: Agriculture and Technical Studies; Arts & Letters; School of Kinesiology; Mathematics & Computer Science; Natural Sciences; Nursing; School of Entrepreneurship & Business; Social Sciences; School of Education; and University Studies.
  • Assist students in understanding evaluation of transfer credits.
  • Create, implement and update (each semester) advising folders for students.
    • Folders should identify challenges and barriers, determined solutions, and intervention activities and processes that could impede retention, persistence, and graduation initiatives.
  • Remain point-of-contact for students once transitioned to discipline-specific academic advisor.
  • Empower students to develop plans for success that include understanding degree requirements and advocates for themselves.
  • Meet established unit benchmarks, customer service standards, key performance indicators, and daily productivity metrics.
  • Develop programming initiatives in conjunction with Campus Activities that celebrate student scholars.
  • Develop positive relationships with university students, faculty, and staff to demonstrate good will.
  • Attend academic department meetings.
  • Assist in coordination and promotion of university sponsored events.
  • Serve on university committees, as requested/assigned.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities to develop knowledge and strengthen skills in professional field.
  • Propose and implement new procedures for identifying at-risk students upon acceptance to the University.
  • Suggest long-term strategies for data collection and reporting. Coordinate with the Office of Institutional Research when applicable.
  • Develop print materials regarding services available to students. Consult the University Relations office when applicable.
  • Other duties as assigned
• Administration of Early Alert Retention Platform
  • Lead the development, implementation, and manage the ongoing operations of the Starfish Early Alert Retention Platform (or similar platform).
  • Utilize Starfish (or similar platform) to drive student success with direction from DSU leadership.
  • Take a lead role in promoting and educating faculty and staff about Starfish Early Alert Retention Platform (or similar platform).
  • Provide leadership and guidance to maximize use of Starfish (or similar platform).
  • Maintain and analyze data from Starfish.
  • Create and manage Starfish accounts for all faculty, staff, and students (or similar platform).
  • Review and assist with tracking items such as flags and kudos.
  • Collaborate with faculty and staff to expand utilization of Starfish (or similar platform).
  • Other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

• Salary of $40,000-45,000/annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive fringe benefits, including, but not limited to:
  • 100% employer-paid health insurance (family or single coverage)
  • TIAA retirement
  • Tuition waiver benefits, for employee and spouse/dependents
  • Possible eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program with the US Department of Education.

View https://www.dickinsonstate.edu/about/employment/ for information on the above and other benefits offered.

MAIN OFFICE/WORKING LOCATION: Dickinson, ND

STARTING DATE: As soon as possible

POSITION DETAILS:

• 3415 General Student Services Professional
• 12-month term (July 1 – June 30)
• Full-time (100%)
• Exempt from FLSA Overtime
• Benefited

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:

This job announcement is not intended, and should not be construed, to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential to making fair pay decisions and determining job performance.

For more information about the position, contact the direct supervisor Dean Kayla Noah

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Applications will be reviewed as received; the position will remain open until filled.

• Complete the online application at https://dickinsonstate.edu/jobopenings/postings.aspx
• provide three (3) references with contact information
• upload a letter of application/cover letter
• upload a curriculum vitae/resume
• upload transcripts (if applicable)

Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the qualifications and responsibilities listed above as minimum/required/preferred because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Only applicants who appear best qualified based on this review will be contacted for an interview. The submission of all required materials by the preference date is the responsibility of the applicant. (Note: incomplete applications may not be considered).

Unofficial, or copies of official, transcripts are acceptable at the time of inquiry, but official transcripts will be required if hired. If you need to order transcripts you can have them emailed to DSU.HR@dickinsonstate.edu, faxed to 701-483-2574, or mailed DSU Human Resources, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601.

Both internal and external applicants are eligible to apply if they are legally authorized to work in the United States. Federal USCIS I-9 employment certification is required at hire. Employer Sponsorship will not be considered.

ND Veteran’s Preference laws apply to this position. Applicants who are eligible to claim veteran’s preference must provide proof of eligibility by the preference date.

Due to access to restricted information, the successful candidate will be required to complete a satisfactory criminal history record check before beginning employment.

Pursuant to N.D.C.C. 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the finalists.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. 23-12-10.

Dickinson State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution that does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, creed, marital status, veteran’s status, political belief or affiliation, information protected by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”), or disability in its admissions, student aid, employment practices, educational programs, or other related activities. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Dickinson State University does not discriminate based on sex in its educational programs, activities, or employment opportunities as required by Title IX. Dickinson State University complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act. Dickinson State University encourages applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity. Inquiries concerning Title VI, VII, ADA, ADEA, Title IX, and Section 504 may be referred to either the Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Kathy Geisen, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, May Hall, Room 226, Dickinson, ND 58601 (701) 502-2081, dsu.titleix@dickinsonstate.edu or to the Affirmative Action Officer, Krissy Kilwein, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, May Hall, Room 309, Dickinson, ND 58601, (701) 502-4304, dsu.equalopportunity@dickinsonstate.edu.

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Dickinson State University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the University’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found here.

For more information about Dickinson State University, please visit https://dickinsonstate.edu/visit. You can also visit this site https://findthegoodlife.com/ for resources and details about North Dakota!