What are the responsibilities and job description for the Academic Advisor position at Washington College?
The academic advisor acts as an integral member of the student support team, supporting individual students via educational planning, academic support and resources, and personalized development. The academic advisor will use a proactive and holistic approach to supporting first-year students in their transition to Washington College.
Essential Functions:
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Advising and student support
- Advises first-year and pre-major students
- Helps students identify goals: academic, career, and lifetime
- Assists students with course sequencing, registration, and academic program planning
- Connects students with campus resources
- Review and interpret placement and other standardized testing scores as part of a holistic advising approach
- Collaborates with Student Retention and Achievement team to provide individualized support and outreach, particularly for at-risk student
- Provide group advising sessions in partnership with other campus stakeholders: athletics, Intercultural Affairs, Presidential Fellows, etc.
- Planning and administrative support for 'Flock Together' event for incoming students, with Assistant Dean. Day of support for faculty advisor
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Records maintenance
- Maintains records of meetings, correspondence, and registration for an assigned caseload
- Communicate with Registrar as needed
- Stay informed on institutional requirements such as admissions, academic programs, course changes, administrative/academic deadlines, important dates, student fees, college-wide initiatives, academic policies
- Understand and employ FERPA
- Ability to ensure and apply compliance with university and external policies and regulations
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Professional development
- Engage in professional development activities, including but not limited to, memberships in professional organizations; attendance at conferences, workshops, and training sessions; stay current with information technology skills (e.g., SelfService, Colleague, WCOnline)
- Develop a thorough advising manual
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Position Type and Schedule:
- Full Time (8:30-4:30 M-F, 35 hr/week)
- 12- month
- Evenings and weekends occasionally for campus events and open houses
- Reporting to Assistant Dean of Advising and Academic Advocacy
Education, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelors degree required
- Masters degree preferred in Academic Advising, Higher Education, Counseling, Social Work, or equivalent
- Relevant experience in administrative, higher education or related work experience.
- Experience developing and delivering student services with direct impact on students’ educational experiences
- Ability to master comprehensive subject matter expertise about multiple Washington College academic departments, programs and/or concentrations, including networks of faculty and their research interests, and dual degree programs
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholder groups, including multicultural competencies and experience working with diverse populations
- Personal Characteristics: strong focus on proactive student support, innovative problem-solving skills, flexibility, attention detail, ability to excel in an evolving environment
