"Academic Advisor"

Job Description

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Student Success, College of Communication and Media, the Academic Advisor works in conjunction with the College’s Advising Team to provide advising services to undergraduate College of Communication and Media students majoring in Advertising, Animation & VFX, Communication & Media Studies, Film & Television, Journalism & Digital Media, Social Media & Public Relations, and Sports Communication. This position is primarily responsible for guiding students in their programmatic coursework, spanning major requirements and electives, General Education requirements, and free electives. The Academic Advisor helps advance initiatives that support student retention and timely degree completion; supports college and university advising initiatives; and partners with faculty in expanding their advising skills.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide year-round holistic advising and registration assistance in close collaboration with department chairs, peer staff, faculty advisors, Registrar’s office, and other campus partners.
• Assist students in understanding their academic progress; the four-year-graduation-plan for their major (including all course requirements); course selection; how to navigate university procedures; participation in international study programs; and effects of changing a major to ensure completion of their degrees.
• Evaluate transcripts of transfer applicants, where needed, to determine course equivalencies that satisfy major requirements. Evaluate transcripts of seniors to determine eligibility for graduation.
• Establish a plan to accommodate scheduled and walk-in advising hours as well as individual and group advising practices, where appropriate.
• Maintain and communicate College advising policies and procedures and provide training and support to faculty in their academic advising role.
• Conduct intrusive advising with students, where needed, in relation to academic warnings, probation, and other risk alerts. Outreach to non-registered students to foster their retention.
• Implement academic adjustments related to exceptions such as credit adjustments, course overloads, late registrations and permits.
• Onboard new students during orientation sessions. Pre-register freshmen into first-year courses.
• Where related to advising, work with College staff and department chairs/faculty to inform course scheduling and enrollment decisions.
• Provide service to events such as New Student Orientations, admissions Open House and Accepted Students Day events, majors fairs for non-declared students, Communication and Media Days, community college outreach events, and transfer student information sessions.
• Develop and implement presentations, trainings and workshops that relay academic policies and support student success. Help expand student mentoring and peer advising.
• Partner with campus services (e.g. career, psychological, disability, tutoring) to provide student referrals.
• Work collaboratively with College staff and peer advisors, attending meetings and sometimes leading initiatives. Represent the College on University committees.
• Learn and fully utilize information technology related to advising and tracking student progress (e.g., Banner, Degree Works, Navigate, Tableau). Participate with data gathering to make recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Teach a section of New Student Seminar (GNED 199, 1 credit).
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Master’s degree, preferably in Counseling, Student Affairs or Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of professional academic advising experience in a higher education setting.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced working environment with multi-functional areas and diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and presentational skills, in both speech and writing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Comfort with multiple reporting relationships.
• Ability to leverage technology in advising activities.
• Detail/results oriented; ability to handle simultaneous projects and work some evenings and weekends when programming requires.

PREFERRED:

• Experience with communication and media curricula and/or appreciation for students working in these disciplines.
• Proficiency with multiple advising methods including developmental, transactional, appreciative, intrusive, and group advising.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of traditional, non-traditional and at-risk student populations.
• Experience using Banner, Degree Works, and Navigate systems.
• Teaching background; experience teaching New Student Seminar.
• Experience with planning and organizing advising programs.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY:
Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing how their background, skills and education match the needs of the University. When applying, please take a moment to carefully read and follow the steps in the application instructions.

Salary Range
$73,899.90-$81,286.80 Annually
The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Montclair State University considers factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s relevant work experience, education, skills, and internal equity, when extending an offer.

Salary offers for internal employees who are part of a collective bargaining unit (CBU) and are applying to a position that is within a CBU will be determined in accordance with contractual provisions.

Department
College of Communication and Media

Position Type
Professional - Non-Faculty

Contact Information:
For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at 973-655-5000 (Option 2), or email talent@montclair.edu.

Inclusion Statement
Montclair State University values access and educational excellence. We are committed to an environment of diverse perspectives which ensures that graduates will be civically engaged, committed to democracy, and prepared to thrive as global citizens. We foster a community that promotes varied experiences and voices. We seek applicants who will contribute diverse ideas and perspectives and who value an environment that promotes educational growth and advancement for all.

EEO/AA Statement
Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity.

Additional information can be found on the website at www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy
Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/