Academic Advisor III & Retention Specialist

Job Description Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Associate Dean for the LaFetra College of Education (LFCE), and under the daily supervision of the Dean of Academic and Career Services, the Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist (candidate) for the LFCE will work as part of the advising team to provide academic advisement for LFCE undergraduates and serve as the point person for formerly enrolled, but not yet graduated, undergraduate students at the main campus to return to the university to complete their degree under the initiative, “Leos Reconnect, Re-enroll” (Leos Reconnect). The candidate will serve as a LFCE and university representative for undergraduate education at college or university-sponsored campus events, professional conferences and other activities, as assigned, such as Academic and Career Services workshops and fairs, Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) and student recruitment events (e.g., Leo Fridays, Spotlight Weekend, Latino College Fair, etc). The candidate will access available enrollment data to identify prospective former students from LFCE and other undergraduate colleges and majors, to encourage them to return to the university to complete their degree. The candidate, when it is appropriate, will make meaningful and personalized referrals to advising colleagues in other colleges when prospective former students agree to return to complete their degree in a major that is outside of LFCE. The candidate will directly support former LCFE undergraduates who wish to return to complete their degree within the LFCE. The candidate will aid continuing and returning LFCE undergraduates in course selection, review, and navigation of degree requirements, make referrals to campus resources to support students and support students to develop short and long-term academic and career goals. The candidate will facilitate retention strategies that may include early alert participation, will participate in revising and updating relevant academic advising documents for the LFCE, and will collaborate with the Office of Academic & Career Services and University Registrar to support ongoing maintenance and accuracy of the University student information systems and databases. The academic advisor will assist in evaluating and clearing seniors for commencement and will support students who withdraw or take a leave of absence when they return to complete a degree in the LFCE. The advisor will also assist students with warm handoffs to other majors and/or colleges if their advisees choose to change majors outside of the LFCE. The position may require work after typical business hours and on weekends, including regional event travel to promote the Leos Reconnect initiative on behalf of LFCE and the university in collaboration with Admissions and Enrollment Management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences, Counseling, Business, Education or Liberal Arts.
• Higher Education advising and Higher Education Experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned Master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences, Counseling, Business, Education, or Liberal Arts.
• Banner Information System or related student information systems, including direct or related experience with degree audits, Blackboard or D2L Brightspace, and Campus Labs.
• Computer using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, scanner, copy machine, calculator and telephone.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• good interpersonal skills.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license to travel to regional events.

Specific Duties:

Duty:

ADVISE LA FETRA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, CHILD DEVELOPMENT MAJORS AND MINORS AND UNDECLARED TRADITIONAL MAIN CAMPUS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH THE FOLLOWING:

• Provide academic advising—including general education, major, and graduation requirements—to traditional and working adult undergraduate students, including prospective former undergraduates who return to complete their degree with LFCE due to Leos Reconnect outreach efforts.
• Offer individual and group advising to LFCE students, as well as to students interested in LFCE majors.
• Serve as an expert advising resource on all academic policies and procedures, including detailed analysis and interpretation of course requirements, graduation requirements, and transcripts.
• Act as a knowledgeable resource for faculty and staff advisors, instructors, and campus personnel.
• Utilize campus support services to make effective student referrals and use current technology and advising tools to support student success for current or returning former students that return due to Leos Reconnect efforts.
• Assist walk-in students with questions related to advising, graduation, and commencement.
• Maintain consistent communication and timely follow-up with current and prospective students. The candidate provides walk-in (and virtual) office hours for assigned advisees, prospective students, and students from the LFCE whose faculty advisors cannot be reached or are not available for academic advising

Percentage of Time: 50%

Duty:

RETENTION/PROGRAMMING RESPONSIBILITIES

• The candidate collaborates and serves as a liaison with the Advising Team, Student Accounts, Registrar, faculty, and other campus resources, as needed, to develop partnerships and referral pathways that support the retention of new and continuing students, including prospective former students who return due to Leos Reconnect outreach efforts.
• The candidate works directly with students to facilitate timely registration promote enrollment persistence, support degree completion, and report outreach outcomes.
• The candidate identifies “at-risk” student populations, including but not limited to non-registered students, students in poor academic standing, those with unsatisfactory mid-term progress, students with outstanding balances, and students flagged through the early alert system

Percentage of Time: 20%

Duty:

PROGRAMMING AND RECRUITMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• When not engaged in advising or retention activities, the candidate participates fully in Academic & Career Services events, workshops, and fairs, representing the Central Office and the LFCE. These activities may include training sessions for faculty advisors and student groups, aligned with LFCE, Academic & Career Services, and university priorities.
• Responsibilities may also include presentations and information sessions at SOAR, Student Life, and Admissions events, where LFCE majors and minors can be highlighted and where Leos Reconnect can be showcased.
• The advisor assists Academic & Career Services leadership with planning and preparation for continuing student advisement, new student orientation and advising, pre-registration or skills-attainment workshops, and academic and career fairs.
• The candidate also prepares and analyzes reports for the division and provides recommendations for potential reenrollment and retention strategies that are directly connected to the Leos Reconnect initiative.
• The advisor will engage with prospective and returning students by partnering with Admissions and Enrollment Management to attend regional recruitment events, including outreach to former undergraduate who are deemed eligible to complete their degree within a reasonable time through the Leos Reconnect initiative

Percentage of Time: 20%

Duty:

OFFICE AND DATA MANAGEMENT

• Assist with event planning, reservations, and intake reports (pre-post tallies) in activities as described above.
• Utilizes strong analytical skills and attention to detail, including strong computer skills and experience in retrieving student information and data from available university systems such as but not limited to Banner, Cognos, Microsoft Office, and other existing or newly acquired retrieval tools.
• Utilizes available data tools to support academic advising, retention, and programming events. Performs other job related duties within the scope of the position as assigned by the Academic & Career Services leadership and/or LFCE Dean’s Office

Percentage of Time: 10%

Salary Range

Maximum: $60,918.83
Minimum: $71,056.25

Benefits Summary:

Applicants, please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee’s total compensation

Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.

Location: La Verne Main Campus
Close Date:
Open Until Filled: No

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: http://laverne.edu