First Year Success Advisor

Company Description:

Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world" and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark's many national and international distinctions, including recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.

Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city "on the rise." The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub.

Job Description:

Clark University is hiring a team of creative and energetic academic advisers with a commitment to student growth and development to serve on a newly established First Year Success Advising Team. Drawing on national best practices and trends in student transition, retention and engagement, the First Year Success Advising Team ensures new students' success in their critical first year of college, with the aim of building resourcefulness, resilience, and independence. Housed in the Office of the Dean of the College, the new advisers will join a team of dedicated staff in the LEEP Student Success Network, a team of professionals across seven offices that include Academic Advising, Academic Support and Peer Tutoring, Student Accessibility Services, Community Engagement, Study Abroad, and Fellowships and Scholarships, along with key partners in Student Affairs, including Student Engagement, Residential Life and Housing, and Counseling Services. Clark's educational mission is deeply student-centered, with a commitment to educating the next generation of creative and ethical world citizens. Active and intentional inclusivity is our team's lodestar in our engagement with everyone in the Clark community and beyond. 

First Year Success Advisers serve as incoming students' primary contact person beginning the summer before enrollment, supporting students' holistic transition into the Clark community through their first year and into their sophomore year until major declaration. The unit intentionally integrates academic and student life to guide new students through their first year, including summer advising and registration, orientation, and the first year academic experience?the First Year Intensive course, the Clark Navigator, and co-curricular activities. Each adviser is expected to carry a caseload of approximately 150 first- and second-year undergraduate students. The new advising team will report to associate deans in the Dean of the College Office and be directly supervised and supported by the Academic Advising Center.

Clark is a university committed to centering equity and inclusion in all we do. As such, we require candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with diverse identities and perspectives, with multicultural competence, and attention to how identity shapes student experiences. 

Ideal candidates must cultivate student-centered, authentic connections with students, demonstrate effective presenter and dialogue facilitator skills, build strong relationships with key campus partners, including faculty. Experience working with new students and new student programs, academic advisement, understanding new student transitional challenges, triaging student issues and concerns, and experience working with and coaching students and student leaders are required.  Candidates must possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills; the ability to multi-task and manage time effectively; the ability to work independently and collaboratively; a willingness to think creatively; proven experience working with student information systems, learning management systems (LMSs) such as Moodle and Canvas, and advising-focused Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as Slate, Anthology, Starfish; and, above all, strong, sensitive, and caring communication skills with students, parents and families, and campus partners. 

• Provide academic and holistic advising to students to help them realize their academic, professional, and life goals and passions; 
• Manage and support a caseload of first-year students from at the time of the deposit through pre-enrollment engagement and requirements until a major is declared;
• Serve as primary users of CRM including assisting with the implementation of a new system, participating in training, updating select student records daily, and utilizing data for the purposes of intervention, student success, and retention;
• Facilitate students' onboarding, including summer advising, orientation, and transition to college in partnership with the Engagement Team and Orientation staff;
• Develop, organize, and implement first-year student workshops, events, and experiences that support student success (e.g., major exploration and selection, time-management workshop, mindfulness, social navigation, etc.);
• Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., offices within the LEEP Student Success Network, offices within the Division of Student Affairs, Career Connections Center, and academic departments) for a variety of activities, including but not limited to Orientation and pre-orientation programs, Involvement fair, first six weeks programming, residential curriculum activities, and living-learning communities, and the Majors Fair;
• Engage in the necessary and ongoing training and development needed to be an effective First Year Success Adviser and have a sound understanding of the curriculum and academic policies and procedures, and an awareness of campus resources, services, and activities;
• Meet with students, individually and in groups, regularly throughout the year; 
• Evaluate and monitor student success progress and the impact on the achievement of goals (e.g., GPA, retention, engagement record, and standards of progress);
• Serve as an active member of the CARE Team, triaging complex student issues and concerns, providing support, resources, and mentorship 
• Monitor advisees' academic progress in the LEEP curriculum and the Program of Liberal Studies until major declaration; monitor schedules after the add/drop period to ensure all advisees are registered for full-time course load or have received permission for part-time course load throughout the year;
• Refer students to co-curricular events and activities on campus to assist with student engagement efforts;
• Collaborate with other offices to offer and advertise workshops for first- and second-year students, on topics such as academic success, goal setting, career readiness, co-curricular leadership opportunities, etc.;
• Support students with transfer or advanced placement credits or schedule changes 
• Understand FERPA rules when working with families/guardians;
• Work with faculty regarding advisees' needs and course-related matters;
• Serve on committees and task forces;
• Participate in professional development and DEI competency training;
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Development, Student Affairs or equivalent preferred;
• At least two years of experience working closely with students on a college campus; experience in academic advising, preferred experience in student engagement, orientation, and new student programs, or supervision or mentoring student leaders; 
• Demonstrated experience working with and contributing to a diverse workplace with the ability to interact effectively with a broad range of constituents on campus;
• Demonstrated expertise in written and oral communication skills, and organizational, planning, and multi-tasking skills with an attention to detail; 
• Ability to connect with students and build rapport, challenge, and support students, and have critical conversations;
• Ability to foster a collaborative work environment and serve as a team player;
• Ability to work with staff, administration, and faculty across the university to support students' holistic development and success; 
• Ability to problem-solve and resolve student issues;
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of advising practices and theory, student development theory, identity development theory, and high impact practices; 
• Knowledge of Microsoft environment including MS Word, Excel, Teams, and experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as Slate, Anthology, and/or Starfish
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience supporting a diverse student population
• Experience embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work with students and colleagues 

Clark University currently requires all employees and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions will be made for medical or disability reasons or religious beliefs, and could be made, at the sole discretion of the University, for other well-documented reasons.

Additional Information:

Clark University embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action as core values: we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. This commitment applies to every aspect of education, services, and employment policies and practices at Clark. Our commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. All positions at Clark share in the responsibility for building a community that values diversity and the uniqueness of others by exhibiting integrity and respect in interacting with all members of the Clark community to create an atmosphere of fairness and belonging. We strongly encourage members from historically underrepresented communities, inclusive of all women, to apply.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your credentials online. Create a Clark University Careers Account by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below. You will be able to upload the following documents, which are required for consideration:

• Resume
• Cover letter

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Already have a Clark University Careers Account? Login to your account to add documents or update your account.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

HR to select: A successful background check is required upon acceptance.

Apply Online