Job Description

The University at Albany has implemented a campus wide student success model aligning current advising structures, strengthening campus coordination and collaboration, and providing holistic and personalized support for students from admission to graduation.

In furtherance of this mission, the Academic Support Center (ASC) at the University at Albany is seeking an innovative and student-centered Assistant Director to support the University's student success model. As an Assistant Director in the Academic Support Center, the incumbent will have diverse responsibilities centered around student academic advising, intra- and inter-departmental collaboration, and program development and management.

The successful candidate must be familiar with developmental and pro-active advising models, have a commitment to student-centered advisement, and be comfortable using information technology to assist in advisement.

This is a calendar year position, and participation is required in all summer orientation sessions.

Primary Responsibilities:

Academic Advising
- Serve as an academic advisor, offering developmental, proactive, and group advisement.
- At all times advisors will be responsible for monitoring academic progress and communicating with the student about university requirements.
- When changing majors, students will need to work with their university advisor to discuss the change, review the new degree requirements and evaluate the impact on academic standing and graduation timelines.
- University advisors are responsible for coordinating a student's success team and proactively initiating intervention strategies when a student needs additional support or referral.
- Providing targeted and strategic interventions based on a unique understanding of the individual student.
- Approaching each student recognizing that they have a complex set of issues and concerns that will shape their academic pathway.
- Connecting with students on a regular basis to build and maintain rapport and serving as the first point of contact to ensure questions are answered and concerns are resolved.
Advising Supervision
- Supervise and guide academic advisors, manage advisor training, and participate in hiring processes.
- Lead and manage direct reports/team providing guidance, support, and performance feedback to assure goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the University's mission.
- Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
- Complete performance management feedback and goals timely and per requirements, offering constructive feedback and developing improvement plans.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Participate in Senior Staff meetings, assist with management issues, and contribute to the planning of new initiatives.
- Work with faculty and departments to enhance student success and ensure seamless communication across university services.
Training & Professional Development: Support training initiatives for advisors, attend professional development activities, and stay updated on best practices in academic advising and student development.
Academic Support Center Liaison: Act as a liaison to specific academic departments or campus units, relaying updates and concerns between departments and ASC.
Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

Reports to the Director.
Supervises the following positions: Academic Advisor, Graduate Assistant.

Job Requirements:

Strong interpersonal, writing (as assessed by application materials submitted), and oral communication skills.
Proficiency in Spanish or other non-English language, preferred.
Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
Two or more years of full-time professional experience with a college student population.
Experience in providing academic and personal advisement or case management and outreach to support students in meeting educational or career goals, specifically with students in transition or on academic probation.
Experience developing and managing programs that support student success.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
Three to five years' professional academic advising experience.
Supervisory experience.
Experience working with special populations including pre-health, international, first-generation, transfer and/or historically excluded populations of students.

Working Environment:

Typical office environment.