Academic Advisor, Adult Degree Program

Academic Advisor, Adult Degree Program

Department Summary:

The JMU School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) advances JMU’s vision by responding to individual, business, and community needs through transformative educational programs and experiences. We are seeking an Academic Advisor for the Bachelor of Individualized Study/Adult Degree Program.

Program Summary:

The Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) is a flexible, dynamic, and rigorous degree completion program designed for working adults; this program is a key piece of the portfolio of JMU’s School of Professional & Continuing Education. Founded in 1976, the BIS offers a curricular structure that meets the needs of students who cannot come to JMU’s campus, who have significant numbers of transfer or previous credits that need a larger framework, or who wish to design a focus of study to meet their specific needs and career goals. Students choose specific curricular tracks to create interdisciplinary concentrations, as well as prior learning assessments and other forms of non-traditional credit, helping them complete their bachelor’s degree. Current enrollment is approximately 470 students.

James Madison University is a selective public R2/National University in Harrisonburg, VA, with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for the JMU community. The student body comprises approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty. JMU offers thriving programs in liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Harrisonburg is the 12th largest city in Virginia; nicknamed “the Friendly City,” it is in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, located in the western part of the state and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. The region is best known for its natural beauty and many wineries. The city is approximately 120 miles from Washington, DC, and Richmond, VA, with a population of just over 53,000. It is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a university town, the Harrisonburg community enjoys all the arts and amenities of a big city combined with the ease, recreation, and charm of a small town.

Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Serve as academic advisor to students enrolled in ADP/BIS, with a particular focus on students in the curriculum tracks that ADP offers in partnership with the College of Education (currently Early Childhood Education/ECED, Special Education/SPED, Inclusive Early Childhood Education/IECE, and Elementary Education/ELED). Monitor academic progress, communicate regularly with advisees, connect them with campus resources. Along with fellow ADP advisor, support students in academic difficulty, including suspension and probation.
2. Work with students to evaluate progress towards graduation, including helping them navigate and avoid problems before they become critical; ensure that programs of study, course directives, and graduation applications are completed accurately for each unique student situation.
3. Partner closely with the College of Education departments, faculty, and Education Support Center on advising, teacher licensure, Praxis, student teaching placement, and other education-specific concerns, and communicate regularly with COE partner advisor(s).
4. Contribute to discussions about curriculum and future of ADP/BIS, including speaking for student needs and interests. Specifically, advocate for the needs of working teachers and childcare providers, as well as statewide teacher shortage needs, and connections to available grants in the College of Education.
5. Serve as an advising resource for and liaison with the program coordinator, director/AUH, and third-party marketing and recruiting vendor. Ensure advising resources are up to date and accurate.
6. Serve and represent SPCE through committees, service projects, recruitment events, and other opportunities as needed.

Required Qualifications

Masters’ degree in Adult Education, Education, or related field.

Strong oral and written communication

Preferred Qualifications

Significant experience in Higher Education, Education, or related experience

Experience with PeopleSoft, Salesforce, Canvas or other related systems.

To learn more and to apply, go to joblink.jmu.edu and reference posting F2064 or go to https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/13521. Review of applications begins 1/02/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.