Academic Outreach Coordinator (Staff Assistant)

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. As a 2023 Top Ten Public Liberal Arts College, classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. Nearly 93% of our graduates land competitive jobs or are accepted by some of the best grad schools in the country. We engage in the most nationally relevant conversations by hosting some of the most celebrated thinkers and speakers on our campus in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, an area known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our home town of North Adams is brimming with creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world.


Job Description:

The Academic Outreach Coordinator is a key member of the Office of Academic Advising & Support team by aiding in the management of the administrative and functional operations of the office. This includes general advising and Undeclared student advising, academic case management outreach, and retention and initiatives. The Academic Outreach Coordinator will utilize MCLA's student management system, EAB Navigate, to coordinate and keep track of student outreach. The Coordinator is responsible for promoting a positive and successful learning experience for students. Applying a holistic approach, the Coordinator will: work within the context of specific subject content, provide general guidelines on refining/making improvements in the student's academic habits, and college success.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

Academic Outreach

• Assist with outreach and follow-up with students who received mid-term warning(s), academic concerns, attendance concerns, academic probation, academic suspension, or other matters. This outreach may be email and text message, organized through MCLA's student success management platform, EAB Navigate.
• Utilize EAB Navigate to plan and organize email and text campaigns to students that align with the academic calendar.
• Conduct intake meetings with students and make referrals to Academic Advising & Support success coaches (faculty and staff).
• Process academic notifications to the campus community including absence notifications.
• Assist and advise students seeking withdrawal or leave of absence from the College.
• Conduct exit interview with students withdrawing from College to determine the basis for the decision and future plan(s).
• Meet with students approved for a leave of absence from College to determine goals for college completion, short and mid-term academic plan(s). Coordinate with student's major department as necessary.
• Conduct proactive outreach to, and maintain contact with, students on leaves of absence and counsel them regarding transition back to MCLA to ensure they are well acquainted with and supported in taking next steps in order to facilitate student return to MCLA and college completion.
• Conduct sessions and routine check-ins via phone, web meeting, and in-person to monitor the progress of students.
• Have and/or acquire knowledge of all current resources available to MCLA students to enhance their educational experience, persistence, and general well-being.
• Submit routine reports of student contacts and interactions, issues arising, and facilitated outcomes of sessions. Timely submit all required reports and documentation of student interactions.

General Advising:

• Assist advisement of Undeclared Program. This includes activities and events and representation at Admission and College events.
• Provide general advising to new, returning, readmitted, and Dual Enrollment/Early College students.
• Work in collaboration with Faculty Success Coaches, Disability Resources, TRiO Student Support Services, Trailblazer Tutor Program, and Athletics' Trailblazer Success Program.
• Assist and participate in faculty advising training sessions with Center for Teaching and Learning.
• Knowledge of current technologies and word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software, specifically Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficient computer skills to assist students with the MCLA's learning management system (Canvas), academic planning tools (DegreeWorks), Student Success Management platform (EAB - Navigate), and student record system (Banner). Maintain updated student data, including documentation of all student interactions.
• Participate in professional opportunities that provide awareness of best practices as related to student retention and success, including but not limited to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule is required. Evenings and weekends may be necessary at times.

Supportive Duties:

• Assists other staff members with phone/office coverage when needed.
• Assist with campus and community programs and events.
• Opportunities to be involved with committee work.
• Provide advising support as needed to all students as needed.

Requirements:

• Minimum earned Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Sociology or related field.
• Experience working with students in a college setting.
• Proven strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with students, staff, and faculty both verbally and in writing.
• Previous experience working in an academic support setting preferred.
• Excellent organizational, coordination, and time management skills to prioritize workload and provide assistance to students and college community members as needed.
• Exceptional communication skills to interact with a diverse array of students and colleagues to provide high-quality support and customer service to students.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.

Additional Information:

This is a grant-funded, temporary full-time, benefits-eligible, position in the APA bargaining unit running through June 30, 2024. Salary range for this position is $40,000-$46,000 per year.

Deadline for applications has been extended to June 16, 2023.

Questions regarding your application or specifics of this position, please contact hr@mcla.edu.

It is the policy of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster, is required of all individuals hired by MCLA, to be verified after an offer of employment has been made, and as part of the background check process. Prospective employees may submit a request for exemption based on a religious and/or medical basis, to Human Resources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment at MCLA. MCLA is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") to not discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to each respective MCLA's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Patrick Connelley
Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
Phone: (413) 662-5127
Email: patrick.connelly@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov


Application Instructions:

Interested candidates must apply electronically and should submit a letter of interest and resume by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.