Academic Advisor & Support Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY AND DUTIES

If you are considering a new job, work environment or career opportunities you should look at Mercer County Community College. MCCC is a publicly supported college that is open to all and dedicated to student success. In order to support that mission Mercer seeks to attract, retain, and support a skilled diverse workforce, which is our most valuable resource. We thrive on and are proud of our diversity and open access. Our students and employees find the College large enough for a multitude of offerings yet small enough to keep the “Community” feel for all. The College consists of two campuses, the James Kerney Campus (JKC) in the capital city of Trenton, NJ and a larger 292-acre suburban campus just six miles north of Trenton.

As part of the comprehensive and valuable benefits package, the College offers credit course tuition waivers for employees, spouses and dependents. This allows for employees and their families to take advantage of earning a higher education degree without the high cost. The College offers students 69 Degree Program Options and 35 Credit Certificates from which to choose.

If you are considering a new job, work environment or career opportunities you should look at Mercer County Community College. MCCC is a publicly supported college that is open to all and dedicated to student success. In order to support that mission Mercer seeks to attract, retain, and support a skilled diverse workforce, which is our most valuable resource. We thrive on and are proud of our diversity and open access. Our students and employees find the College large enough for a multitude of offerings yet small enough to keep the “Community” feel for all. The College consists of two campuses, the James Kerney Campus (JKC) in the capital city of Trenton, NJ and a larger 292-acre suburban campus just six miles north of Trenton.
As part of the comprehensive and valuable benefits package, the College offers credit course tuition waivers for employees, spouses and dependents. This allows for employees and their families to take advantage of earning a higher education degree without the high cost. The College offers students 69 Degree Program Options and 35 Credit Certificates from which to choose.

JOB DUTIES
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Please note that assigned tasks and responsibilities on both campuses is required for all MCCC positions.

• Serve as the first point of contact for all assigned students from registration to graduation in the assigned division or academic program as a cohort.
• This position will work with students primarily at James Kerney Campus in Trenton, assist with the Prison Education Program, and serve as coordinator for testing and tutoring services at the JKC campus.
• This position will also rotate with a cohort of students in advising on the West Windsor Campus.
• Understand, apply, maintain, and ensure all student information regarding data, recruitment, and admission of students is accurate, complete, and in compliance with mandatory college, state and federal policies, such as FERPA, ADA and more.
• Provide comprehensive, individualized and small group advising to a diverse population of students in assigned caseload by academic division or program.
• Collaborate with Faculty advising staff and Division Deans staff to meet students unique academic and program needs.
• Provide comprehensive, individualized and small group advising to a diverse population of students in assigned caseload by academic division or program.
• Serve as student academic advisor throughout student’s educational career at Mercer.
• Participate in developing operating goals, recommends, implements, and administers methods and procedures to enhance operations, as appropriate to the department.
• Attend training workshops/conferences, statewide, student development workshops/conferences and other professional development activities.
• Meet key performance indicators assigned by the College to meet student retention and graduation plans.
• Attend and assist in academic division ceremonies, graduation and convocations.
• Design and implement an annual calendar of communication to ensure student case load progression and graduation
• Participate in recruitment and college wide advising events as directed.

• Responsible for complex graduation clearance processing, being familiar with changes in the multiple degree programs and determining any curricular exceptions.
• Advise students on transfer plans and career options
• Advise students in managing difficult academic issues
• Identify at-risk students experiencing academic and often critical personal difficulties.
• Advise students on academic probation, create SAP plan and provide follow up support.
• Address relevant issues and makes appropriate referrals to campus and community partners for students who have personal, financial, or emotional concerns.
• Make referrals to faculty office hours, tutoring, CARR and other student support services
• Facilitate and assist staff in the planning of academic and student development workshops.
• Monitor academic progress to ensure students are making satisfactory advancement or implement strategies to improve performance.
• Assist in outreach efforts to increase/retain student enrollment.
• Ensure College Success classes meet advising policies.
• Assist with pre-academic advising, summer success institutes, and orientation as needed.
• Assist with division training of faculty and staff who help with advising.
• Assist with the writing of State reports, summer program analysis and other program reports required for accreditation.
• Prepare reports for the academic program and/or Academic Support division containing information and recommendations.
• Read, interpret, and communicate College policies and procedures to students, potential students, and parents.
• Assist in updating and maintaining student databases
• Maintain current knowledge of college curriculum, rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to students.
• Assist in students in Enrollment Center areas in a rotation to discuss high level student concerns and walk-ins in the division and enrollment center.
• Meet with assigned student to ensure they have a student plan towards graduation
• Make appropriate referrals as needed
• Collaborate with academic division and student service units and faculty to ensure retention and degree completion.
• Other duties as assigned that impact student retention, success and graduation.

• May assist with part-time staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a related field.
• Experience working diverse population and non-traditional students
• Two to four (2-4) years supporting or advising students in an academic setting
• Experience working with faculty and academic staff.
• Works with special summer programs, population’s retention and graduation projects.
• Has a valid driver’s license and access to transportation.
• Must be available to work some nights and weekends.
• Must attend graduation, academic and award ceremonies
• Mastery of M.S. Word suite (excel, word, PowerPoint etc.) and ability to learn and apply the use of technology

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters Degree from an accredited institution in a related field.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English
• At least three to five (3-5) years of experience in a community college setting.
• Has demonstrated track record of building programs and initiatives to support students such as tutors, learning assistance and virtual/online learning.

• Experience advising students in a college environment.
• Exceptional knowledge of Colleague, Student Planner, Self Service, CRM Advise and CRM Recruit.
• Must know how to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Manage projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication.
• Working knowledge of higher education and the needs of diverse populations of students.
• Mastery of M.S. Word suite (excel, word, PowerPoint etc..) and ability to learn and apply the use of technology.
• Knowledge of research, trends and best practices for academic advising,
• Understand the use of data, goal setting and benchmark of students of student success.
• Candidates must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach job-related knowledge to others in a training setting.
• Graphic design skills to create promotional materials.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to review information needed to manage an organization or ongoing activities within it.
• Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Write reports on student progress, analyzing data and provides follow up for accreditation and student success.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of Deans, Vice President and college leadership as needed.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to display willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process and makes timely decisions to drive student success.

CORE COMPETENCIES

CORE COMPETENCIES
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.

Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.

Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance and meets commitments.

Gaining Commitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.

Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Contributing to Team Success: Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.

Diversity & Inclusion: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches.

Formal Presentation: Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups when given time to prepare; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.

Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people.

================================================================
Mercer County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age, disability, handicap or other legally protected status in its provision of employment, education, and activities, or other services. Mercer County Community College is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled.

Disclaimer: This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.

Full Time Employee Benefits

• Health Care
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Optional Tax Deferral Plans (403b and 457b plans)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Mercer County Community College Tuition Waiver
• Employee Assistance Program, Recreation Pass to College's Pool and Fitness Center
• 14 Holidays
• 3 Personal days
• 2 Floating Holidays
• 12 Vacation days in first year
• 15 Vacation days after secnd year
• 12 Sick days per year
• Paid Jury Duty
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Various employee discounts include Mercer County Community College Bookstore, Kelsey Theatre, NJM Insurance and Corporate Offers - "Best Pricing" to theme parks, theatre and sporting events.