What are the responsibilities and job description for the Professional Academic Advisor based at Colorado Mesa University position at University of Colorado Boulder?
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Job Summary
The College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) Student Support & Advising Services (SSAS) unit is committed to building collaborative, student-centered relationships that support achievement of academic success, promote personal and professional development, and foster a sense of community. CEAS academic advisors educate the whole student through a developmental, student-focused approach. Advisors are charged with developing and implementing advising strategies and interventions to enhance the performance and persistence of students, along with contributing to the development of student learning outcomes and assessment.
This position manages an assigned caseload of undergraduate students and is responsible for proactive and responsive outreach, interventions, and communication to these students. The position assists students in making informed decisions about a choice of major; advises students about the nature and content of the curricula and subject areas; helps students to assess their interests, values, and academic skills and to understand these in relation to major choice and potential future career/graduate school options; teaches students how to navigate university systems, academic processes and policies at Colorado Mesa University and CU Boulder; helps students to become contributing members of the Colorado Mesa University and CU community; and prepares students to take responsibility for making their own decisions about courses, academic programs, and long-term plans.
Reporting to the CEAS SSAS Assistant Director of Partnership Programs, this position is physically based in Grand Junction, Colorado on the campus of Colorado Mesa University, supporting students in the CU Boulder/Colorado Mesa University Engineering Partnership Program.
Who We Are
Founded in 1893, CEAS at CU Boulder is the second largest of seven schools and colleges at one of the nation's top public research institutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder has selective admissions standards and a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The college’s mission is to generate new knowledge in engineering and related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set of backgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for the improvement of individuals and society. Our vision is to be a recognized world leader for excellence and innovation in engineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusive excellence, active learning and global society.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Undergraduate Academic Advising:
- Advises lower-division Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Engineering Partnership students regarding academic requirements and options for completing them.
- Stays current about changing curricula, department/program, college, and university rules and policies and how to apply them in different circumstances.
- Provides resources available and is knowledgeable of current advising standards and protocols, especially those specific to the Engineering Partnership Program.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for academic questions or concerns for lower-division Engineering Partnership students.
- Offers a student-focused developmental approach to advising, and an understanding of how career goals and opportunities impact academic decisions.
- Develops trusting, supportive relationships with individual students.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for academic questions or concerns.
- Works with students individually from admission to CMU via in-person, individual appointments and group meetings, open hours, drop-in hours, videoconferencing, telephone, and email to:
- Personalize the academic path to becoming a CU Boulder student
- Review students’ academic records and discuss appropriate course choices
- Offer co-curricular guidance complementing academic path and goals
- Lead students in intentional goal setting appropriate to their developmental stage
- Assist in building first-year student schedules
- Provides comprehensive advising support focusing on exploration, discovery, goal-setting, and supportive connection with first-year students. Proactively develops knowledge of standard methodologies related to first-year student transition and advising.
- Proactively tracks, contacts, and works with special student populations (e.g., early alert, first generation, students who have not been in for an appointment, students in academic difficulty, working students, etc.).
- Adopts university protocols to maintain records of student interactions, student paperwork, and progress towards a degree. Must keep current on continually evolving curriculum requirements and apply changes to student records for accuracy in record-keeping. This includes updating CMU DegreeWorks and Slate, as well as working with the CEAS SSAS Assistant Director of Partnership Programs regarding transfer credit issues. Understands CU Boulder CEAS transfer credit policies and how to apply and explain them to partnership students.
- Works closely with Partnership Program Director and Assistant Director for Partnership Programs to support students in their transition from CMU to full-time CU Boulder coursework, through understanding the application and onboarding process and being able to explain to partnership students.
- Provides basic financial aid counseling to students related to applying for aid, accepting aid, and making payments.
- Collaborates closely with CMU Integrated Resources Information and Solutions (IRIS) to ensure consistent advising campus and participates in advising training activities at CMU.
- Refers students to Colorado Mesa University campus resources such as Tutoring Center, Educational Access Services, Financial Aid, etc.
- Refers students to Engineering Partnership Program Director and engineering faculty for professional development mentoring.
Other:
- Participates in admission, orientation and first-year programming, both departmental-based and campus-wide.
- Supports student retention activities as needed (e.g., mentoring programs, outreach efforts).
- Liaises with CMU student services, including Library Services and the Registrar’s Office.
- Participates in student-facing and focused activities in the Engineering Partnership Program, collaborating and coordinating with the Director, Assistant Director, and program committee(s).
- Serves on department/program, college, and/or university committees or other projects as assigned, including curriculum committees and faculty meetings.
- Assists in the training of new professional academic advisors as assigned.
- Participates in professional development activities.
- Undertakes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
What We Can Offer
The starting salary range for this position is $54,000 - $60,000 annually. Relocation assistance is available within department guidelines.
Benefits
Be Statements
What We Require
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and one year academic advising experience in higher education.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
What You Will Need
- Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
- Outstanding customer service skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment.
- Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Student-centered work ethic and a high level of personal integrity and accountability.
- Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political, and geographical differences, with ability to work well with faculty, staff, and students from around the world.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and three years of professional experience in a student-facing role in higher education.
- Master’s Degree in higher education, counseling, STEM, or related field.
- Experience in academic advising, student career counseling, or providing student support within a college or university setting.
- Experience working with STEM students in a higher education setting.
- Experience participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in a higher education setting or having a commitment to inclusivity and cultural competence.
- Experience with proactive, responsive, and prioritized student outreach and interventions.
- Experience applying student development theory.
- Experience working with students in academic difficulty.
- Experience interacting with parents of college students.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point), and experience with other technologies such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Canvas, Qualtrics, Google Workspace, etc.
- Familiarity with enrollment management tools, customer relationship management systems, and predictive analytics software, such as PeopleSoft, OnBase, Salesforce, etc.
- Established skills and experience using technologies that support academic advising standard methodologies.
- Willingness to work in an environment which may demand some flexibility or evening/weekend work.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that describes how your background and experience align with this position.
We may ask for references at a later time.
Please apply by April 27, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications should be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu
Salary : $54,000 - $60,000
