| Benefits of working at VCU |
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here. |
| Duties & Responsibilities |
Position Summary/Overview The Student Success & Life Design Team in University College seeks an academic advisor to work with undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program, the Baccalaureate Certificates in Product Innovation and Venture Creation, and the interdisciplinary minors from the Convergence Labs initiative, such as Practical AI and Mixed and Immersive Reality Studies. This position is responsible for providing academic advising to a caseload of new and returning IDS majors, including conceptualizing and developing individualized programs of study for each new student. Additionally, the advisor will assist with onboarding students into the da Vinci Center’s certificate programs and provide ongoing advising support.
The Academic Advisor will liaise with departments and programs across campus to secure course access for IDS students and stay informed about new academic opportunities for interdisciplinary scholars. Advisors also teach a 3-credit career/post-graduation preparation course for the IDS program, based on program needs each semester, and assist in recruitment and retention efforts for IDS and da Vinci Center students. Core Responsibilities The Academic Advisor responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, and academic goals, to create individualized, custom academic plans.
- Advise students regarding: departmental, collegiate, and University policies and procedures; programs of study; and the completion of their custom academic plan and/or undergraduate certificate or minor.
- Teach students how to manage the college experience, navigate the University, make informed decisions, and assume responsibility for their academic success.
- Identify and assist struggling or at-risk students and make appropriate referrals to other university resources.
- Support departmental and University retention and enrollment initiatives (such as follow-up with unregistered students and outreach to students with D/F midterm grades).
- Document all advising interactions with students; maintain accurate and confidential records on students.
- Provide information about the Interdisciplinary Studies program and steps to creating an academic plan to prospective change of major students; including facilitation of regularly scheduled information IDS sessions.
- Assist in processing student graduation applications for both the IDS major and certificate programs.
Additional Responsibilities - Participate in recruitment activities, programs, and initiatives (to include, but not limited to: attendance at university recruiting events, and facilitation of information sessions for IDS and the certificate programs).
- Assist in the processing of applications into the Product Innovation and Venture Creation certificates.
- Teach a 3-credit career/post-graduation preparation course for the IDS program, conditional on program needs each semester.
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| Qualifications |
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent training and/or expertise.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Detail oriented with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and stay organized during peak workflow times.
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively as well as autonomously with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications - At least one year of experience advising, preferably in an interdisciplinary and /or individualized degree program.
- Master’s degree in an interdisciplinary and/or student success-focused field (such as counseling, student personnel, or higher education administration).
- Professional experience in a college or university setting, familiarity with the mission of an urban-research university, and experience working with a diverse student population.
- Teaching experience at the postsecondary level.
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