Assistant Director, Academic Advising

Job Summary

The LSSC Academic Advising team supports the academic mission of the College by providing integrated services focused on students and their academic and personal development. Through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, academic advising provides innovative services and programs that enhance the quality of the student experience and sustain a student-centered learning environment leading to degree completion and workforce development.

The Assistant Director of Academic Advising plays a pivotal role in supporting the Executive Director and the Academic Advising team by enhancing student engagement, process improvement, quality assurance, local recruitment, program promotion, and facilitation. This position requires a proactive approach to student-centered communication, process management, and resource optimization. Additionally, the Assistant Director is instrumental in planning, implementing, and managing advising services and delivery tools to support the goals and objectives of the Enrollment and Student Affairs Division.

Responsible for demonstrating LSSC’s core values of Caring, Communicating, Collaborating, and Celebrating when interacting with students, employees, visitors, and community members.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Assist in developing and delivering ongoing training and guidance for the college-wide academic advising team, including creating training materials, documentation, and resources to enhance user understanding and adoption of advising and student assistance services.
• Provide technical support to advisors and students with complex academic advising questions.
• Is available in person and virtually for regular communication with academic advisors at all campuses and provides leadership to new and current staff.
• Provide insight and forward-thinking ideas to support the strategic planning of enrollment and advising initiatives.
• Make recommendations and help implement programs and services that improve outreach, increase student retention, and effectively respond to and coordinate activities to meet student needs.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Academic Advising to provide leadership and direction for the advising team through research of best practices in the field of academic advising. Foster continuous improvement through assessment, evaluation, and data mining to implement effective change and improve service delivery to students.
• Act as a liaison to the Academic Affairs Division about curriculum, program, and policy changes that impact student advising and assist in the training of faculty concerning academic advising issues and policies.
• Participate in research and assessment for the department to ensure continuous improvement.

• Champions a community of collaboration that focuses on student success, satisfaction, persistence, and completion.

• Assess, update, and implement new student advising and registration session (orientation) content, materials, and scheduling.
• Ensure continuous improvement of the academic workshop designed to support students in academic distress. Coordinate cross-functional updates as needed to improve student success and maintain current professional standards of student support.
• Plan and organize registration events to proactively meet the advising needs of current and incoming student students.
• Assist in developing and maintaining Student Education Plan (SEP) templates for all programs utilizing our degree auditing platform.
• Support the Advising team in optimizing resource connections through outreach and intervention activities.

• Utilize intentional developmental advising methods focused on student success, skill development, and life-long learning.
• Manage assigned advising roster through proactive written communication, posting weekly office hours, and participating in the College virtual service hours on a rotating basis.
• Assist students with course selection, information related to initial transfer credit review, academic program requirements, interpretation of institutional policies and procedures, and graduation audits.
• Deliver advising presentations aimed at reinforcing student academic and career exploration and assist with the delivery of departmental advising services, including new student orientation, recruitment, and intrusive advising strategies focused on at-risk populations.
• Participates in College retention efforts by implementing student success strategies for specific target populations, monitoring withdrawals, and addressing academic early alerts and students on academic probation and suspension.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of student affairs, related policies, and best practices for student assistance.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse student, staff, and community populations.
• Ability to exhibit reason, exercise judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Word processing and general computer/clerical skills.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in using enrollment management software and other relevant technology.

Minimum Qualifications & Education

• Required Education: Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in student personnel services, student affairs, higher education administration, higher education leadership, counseling, or related area required.
• Minimum Training / Experience: Minimum of five years of experience in student services within a higher education setting or other related area.

Lake-Sumter State College provides a wide range of affordable, competitive, and comprehensive benefits that are a vital part of your total compensation package. These programs are centered around health and wellness, financial security, and professional development.