Academic Advocate, Specialist

The mission of the Academic Success Center is to provide centralized academic support services for undergraduate students to help them achieve their individual goals and earn a UMBC degree. Guided by caring peers, staff and faculty, and in collaboration with the campus community, the ASC’s programs empower students to identify and engage with resources and to develop skills and strategies for success in their academic journey and beyond.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking (2) Academic Advocates. Under the leadership of the Associate Vice Provost and Assistant Dean (AVPAD), Undergraduate Academic Affairs, and serving in the Academic Success Center, reporting directly to the Associate Director, Academic Advocacy, the primary purpose of the Academic Advocate is to improve undergraduate student persistence/retention, progression, and degree completion in support of key strategic university goals and measures, including enhancements to the IPEDS first-year retention rate and the 4-year and 6-year graduation rates.

Academic Advocates are dedicated to assisting undergraduate students through a holistic approach in resolving academic, personal and institutional challenges which adversely affect persistence, progression, and timely completion of degree. Using institutional data, predictive analytics, and referrals from campus partners, Academic Advocates proactively identify students at risk of not persisting and develop personalized support plans that are operationalized through a coordinated care approach in close collaboration with student success partners across the campus community referred to as the Academic Care Team.

Academic Advocates follow weekly outreach protocols to provide early connections with students identified as at risk. In addition to coordinating their care/case management to connect students to appropriate university resources and services, Academic Advocates educate students of their policy options and guide them through the applicable petition(s) and/or process(es) to address matters that may otherwise be barriers to success.

This position has a highly visible presence on campus and will be required to present at meetings and in other venues of internal and external audiences to provide information and resources for faculty, staff, advisors, and students addressing the Academic Advocacy model for consistent and equitable implementation for student success at UMBC.

The position is grounded on cultivating strong relationships and working collaboratively with the three academic colleges, the School of Social Work, the Erickson School of Aging Studies and with other divisions/offices across the campus community (e.g. Student Affairs, Enrollment Management – Academic Advising, Registrar, Financial Aid, and Student Business Services) to assist students in resolving issues that may affect student persistence, progression, and graduation.

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $55,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

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A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Academic Advocates are dedicated to assisting undergraduate students through a holistic approach in resolving academic, personal and institutional challenges which adversely affect persistence, progression, and timely completion of degree.

In this role, Academic Advocates serve in a case manager capacity for a designated undergraduate student cohort, developing and implementing innovative, data-driven early intervention strategies to enhance persistence, progression, and timely completion of degree.

Academic Advocates are responsible for investigating and analyzing referred cases, developing personalized support plans that are operationalized through a coordinated care approach in close collaboration with student success partners across the campus community referred to as the Academic Care Team.

Academic Advocates must use analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills to develop and interpret reports, analyze and understand trends, and create actionable information drawn from multiple sources to inform proactive outreach plans focusing efforts on student populations where greatest needs exist to enhance persistence, progression, and timely completion of degree.

Academic Advocates must employ expert problem-solving skills to navigate complex cases requiring cross-departmental/divisional coordination, empowering students to leverage institutional policies and petition processes to remove barriers on the path to degree completion.

Academic Advocates must maintain meticulous records, routinely monitor student progress, and proactively identify emerging challenges to ensure student satisfaction, sense of belonging and academic success.

Academic Advocates must stay abreast of national trends in higher education and remain current in the field of student success to be successful in the role.

Academic Advocates monitor for any barriers to student success through a holistic lens and make recommendations for improvements/changes in academic policy, petition processes and/or administrative procedures to enhance undergraduate persistence, retention, and timely degree completion of degree.

This position has a highly visible presence on campus and Academic Advocates will be required to present at meetings and in other venues of internal and external audiences to provide information and resources for faculty, staff, advisors, and students addressing the Academic Advocacy model for consistent and equitable implementation for student success at UMBC.

At the request of the Associate Director, Academic Advocacy or the AVPAD, Academic Advocates will lead and/or provide service to ad-hoc teams or workgroups in the undertaking of coordinated student success efforts across the campus community.

• This position requires a Master’s degree with a minimum of one year of experience working with students in a higher education setting or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of three years of experience working with students in a higher education setting.
• This position requires demonstrated experience with or knowledge of college level student success initiatives that contribute to persistence, progression, and timely completion of degree.

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Preferred candidates will have participated with a regionally or nationally recognized professional organization and will have research and/or publications focused on college level student success initiatives that contribute to persistence, progression, and timely completion of degree.

A background check will be required.

Upload a cover letter and a resume.

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave
• 15 Days of Sick Leave
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary: $55,000 - $62,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.